[yarddog]

After reading the entire thread and learning a lot, I do disagree with a few things. I have always been fascinated by knives and own several hundred although only a few are really expensive.

First of all, I have never liked stainless steel. In my experience it has a slickness which does not cut well. Contrary to Mutley's experience tho, it will hold an edge. I think Buck is typical. They are very well made and hard as a rock. I don't know what the typical rockwell c hardness is but they are hard.

They would probably make excellent fighting knives and the slickness might be an advantage in stabbing.

For knives which are used hard such as cutting bushes, sticks, steaks etc. I much prefer a metal which is easy to sharpen even if it does not hold an edge as well. Just plain high carbon tool steel knives are the best all around. Probably the best combination of edge holding and sharpenability is the non-stainless Puma knives.

My Father brought back a Puma from WWII and it was a fine one. My uncle's son still has it. I bought one new in 1965 for $16 and I noticed the same knife now sells for around $250.

It seems to me that Schrade has about the best stainless knives. They are fairly easy to sharpen and seem to cut better than most stainless knives.

Probably the best combination of good quality and price to me are the Cold Steel brand using their own steel. The various military Camillus, Ontario, and Kabar knives all have that plain tool steel which has that easy sharpening feature along with good edge holding ability.

[Monty22]

I have 2 military spiderco's, and 2 other ones. I do agree that they are a bit 'slick' on the blade. I do like them a lot though, they've really stood up to the challenge.

[xsrdx]

First of all, I have never liked stainless steel.

You are not alone, but newer, "powdered metal" and other exotic stainless steels like 154CM, ATS34, CMP440V, VG10 and CPMS30V are overwhelming favorites for high end folding knives today.

These steels are much tougher, and hold an edge better, than older stainless like AUS6 or 440A.

Chris Reeve uses A2(tool steel), BG42 and S30V for most of his knives; Strider uses ATS34 and S30V; Busse uses a proprietary "super steel" called INFI; Spyderco uses VG10 and S30V for most of their upscale folders. Randall used to use 440B for their stainless knives, I *think* they use ATS34 now? Their tool steel blades have always been Swedish 01.

"Stainless Steel" has come a long, long way in the past 10 years.

Try a VG10 or S30V folder and you'll be impressed with the sharpness and edge retention.