Knife Page 2
Knife steel guides that explain what each steel is good at, from budget stainless to premium powder steels, with example knives for each.
- 47 guides
- 47 updated for 2026
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Updated 2026
Knife Steel
ZDP-189 Steel: Is It Good for Knives? (2026 Guide)
ZDP-189 is a Japanese powder steel known for extreme hardness. Spyderco has used it in models like the Dragonfly 2....
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Updated 2026
Knife Steel
CPM S110V Steel: Is It Good for Knives? (2026 Guide)
CPM S110V is one of the highest edge retention stainless steels used in production knives. Spyderco has offered it in...
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Updated 2026
Knife Steel
CTS-204P Steel: Is It Good for Knives? (2026 Guide)
CTS-204P is Carpenter's version of the M390 recipe. It is used in premium folders from several major brands. Short answer:...
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Updated 2026
Knife Steel
CTS XHP Steel: Is It Good for Knives? (2026 Guide)
CTS XHP is a Carpenter powder steel sometimes described as a stainless version of D2. Spyderco and Cold Steel have...
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Updated 2026
Knife Steel
CPM 20CV Steel: Is It Good for Knives? (2026 Guide)
CPM 20CV is a high-end stainless powder steel used in premium folders. It is the American equivalent of Böhler's M390....
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Updated 2026
Knife Steel
CPM S35VN Steel: Is It Good for Knives? (2026 Guide)
CPM S35VN was one of the most popular premium EDC steels of the last decade. Crucible has since introduced S45VN...
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Updated 2026
Knife Steel
CPM 154 Steel: Is It Good for Knives? (2026 Guide)
CPM 154 is the powder metallurgy version of 154CM. The powder process gives finer, more even carbides. Short answer: CPM...
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Updated 2026
Knife Steel
ATS-34 Steel: Is It Good for Knives? (2026 Guide)
ATS-34 is the Japanese counterpart to 154CM. It was a favorite of custom makers in the 1990s and is still...
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Updated 2026
Knife Steel
154CM Steel: Is It Good for Knives? (2026 Guide)
154CM is a classic American knife steel that has been used for decades in mid-range and custom knives. Short answer:...
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Updated 2026
Knife Steel
VG10 Steel: Is It Good for Knives? (2026 Guide)
VG10 is a Japanese stainless steel that is famous in both kitchen knives and folders. Spyderco has used it for...
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Updated 2026
Knife Steel
N690Co Steel: Is It Good for Knives? (2026 Guide)
N690Co is an Austrian stainless steel made by Böhler. European brands like Fox Knives and Extrema Ratio use it heavily....
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Updated 2026
Knife Steel
9Cr18MoV Steel: Is It Good for Knives? (2026 Guide)
9Cr18MoV is a Chinese stainless steel similar to 440C. It is common in budget to mid-range folders and kitchen knives....
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Updated 2026
Knife Steel
440C Steel: Is It Good for Knives? (2026 Guide)
440C is a classic stainless steel that was one of the top knife steels before the modern powder steels arrived....
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Updated 2026
Knife Steel
Sandvik 14C28N Steel: Is It Good for Knives? (2026 Guide)
14C28N is the steel I recommend most often for budget and mid-range knives. Kershaw has used it in popular models...
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Updated 2026
Knife Steel
AEB-L Steel: Is It Good for Knives? (2026 Guide)
AEB-L is a Swedish stainless steel originally made for razor blades. Custom knife makers love it for kitchen knives because...
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Updated 2026
Knife Steel
CTS BD1 Steel: Is It Good for Knives? (2026 Guide)
CTS BD1 is a Carpenter stainless steel used in mid-range folders, notably by Spyderco and Cold Steel. A nitrogen-boosted version,...
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Updated 2026
Knife Steel
BDZ1 Steel: Is It Good for Knives? (2026 Guide)
BDZ1 is a Carpenter stainless steel designed for a fine, uniform carbide structure. It was developed with razor blades and...
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Updated 2026
Knife Steel
AUS-8 Steel: Is It Good for Knives? (2026 Guide)
AUS-8 is a Japanese stainless steel that has been used in budget to mid-range knives for decades, including many older...
