Have you tested Spyderco Seki City K390 (Police 4, Stretch 2, Endula, Endera, Delica) since this video was made. I'm hearing Seki City K390 is the best.
I have an old run cruwear Manix that I slapped some micarta scales on…it’s definitely in my top three most valued crucartas. But I think k390 has really proven itself since this video was made. I own a bunch of the seki k390 models (still waiting on a stretch 2xl) and they’ve been incredible…for years on end. K390 is awesome in the sense that it’s got great edge stability, holds its initial sharpness, holds its edge nicely, settles into a working edge predictably and for a 10v class steel, it ages *really* well. My oldest k390 lock back is an endela I bought as soon as they released and it just has a bit of a blue/amber hue in certain lighting. It’s just a phenomenal steel from my experience. Spyderco’s 15v has the potential to be a user steel of that caliber…even usurp it from what I’ve experienced…but unfortunately, I think it will be too limited to propagate in the same way.
Thanks for letting us hear your opinion on the 4 steels. I thought it was very interesting to hear experiences that you have had. Then from those experiences tell us which steel you preferred and why. I think this takes the test results down to a more user level. Knowing you have the test results to back up what you say doesn't hurt any.Hope to get some Maxamet and Cruwear someday. Enjoyed the video thanks for responding to the tag.
You talking garbage.. M4 at 63 is about the same as k390 at same hardness??? It's 10V class steel.. It will still outwear that M4 anyday.. And I forgot 1 more thing.. Rex 45 is true about the same wear resistance as M4 but it has much higher edge stability so it will be able sustain lower angles so that's the beauty of that material...You know this so don't confuse the steel with the steel and don't judge by your opinion or someone else test claims.. Test ,try and you'll see how they stack up
I bet you if you picked up a native 5 at 66-67.5 HRC you'd place it second only to maxamet as far as edge retention is concerned. It's the level of hardness that makes it perform so well not so much the vanadium carbides in the matrix like you would have with k390 or 10V. But as far as edge stability the rex45 would blow away every steel you mentioned including m4. Ease of Sharpening I completely agree with you it would easily be cruwear.
Thank you so much brother you gave a whole heap of extremely useful information/techniques regarding knife steel and the most sharpest ( as in holding its edge for the longest ) favourite steel (maxamet) then the rest of the steels in order. You saved me a whole weeks worth of shopping around as I don’t like to just order something online purely because I don’t get a feel of what I’m purchasing. This would have taken at least a week or so for me to figure out but now I feel like I can just order it and know exactly what to expect in the mail. Saying goes as “time is money” which makes me feel horrible because I can’t return you the favour via a generous amount of a super thank you. Wishing you all the best of luck in your journey. Peace ✌️
Cruewear is my favorite steel I have tried. Spy27 is also good, like s30v on steroids. S90 is good but hard to sharpen. M4 is a good on my freak, honestly it's not to bad to sharpen as I thought it would be. I'd take s30 over s90v, maybe it's me but really haven't been able to get a good edge on it. I like it holds a edge for a long time.
I love that our experiences with all these steels are basically the same. If I threw s90v into the mix, it'd be at the #3 spot as well. I just hope Spyderco announces more Maxamet models at Shot Show next week!
I;m fond of Cruwear myself. To me, it's the most balanced steel I've tried. Admittedly, I have no experience with Maxamet, and I know it will hold an edge longer, but the Cruwear I have extensive experience I have 4 knives in it. It sharpens easy, takes a very fine edge, and holds it well. .It would be great if Spyderco would push the limits a little more, but it's still going good as it is.
I haven't tried maxamet yet but I love cruewear. Right now cruewear is my favorite steal because its tough, hard, and not that bad to sharpen. I'm not found of sharpening s90v. Although if a blade has a good profile it will cut a long time. I just sharpened my s90v bugout and it doesn't feel any sharper. But it still cuts like crazy. I just like being able to feel my results. I am impressed with spydercos spy27 it's hard as nails and isn't as hard to sharpen as s90v. I have lots of s30v but haven't had to sharpen it much. I'm pretty sure that I will like it better than s90v because it holds some same properties but should be alot easier to sharpen. Right now cruewear is my number one and spy27 is nice too. I haven't got any m390 yet but I will soon. Honestly good d2 isn't bad and I don't mind 9cr18mov holds a great edge and easy to sharpen. Our grandfathers weren't wrong with loving a good carbon steel.
S110v is incredible. I cut up a memory foam queen mattress into small pieces with a para3, took about an hour. Knife will still cut paper. It stays sharp that long.
I have had no trouble sharpening S90V or Maxamet using diamond stones, so I agree with you there. Just got the CruCarta PM2 but haven't used it much yet. Interested to see how CruWear performs! Thanks for the info!
YMMV... I think that it comes down to the specific knife you have in hand. The heat treatment is apparently easy to screw up. I have had ZDP 189 performance that is outstanding, zero chips, holds an edge forever. They clearly got the HRC in the sweet spot. Maxamet and M390 have not worked out for me. In the case of my Maxamet P3 the edge chipped on the first day of use. (cardboard and plastic packaging). The blade continued to crumble while I attempted to sharpen the chipping out of the blade. (Diamond matrix stones, relatively soft and forgiving, edge trailing light strokes were used). I just sent the blade back to Spyderco for "warrantee evaluation". M390 seems to be hit or miss "soft". I wasted a lot of $$ on Walmart level performance in M390. S30VN, S110V, M4, VG10 and 90% of the D2 have all done well for me. I know what I've got when sharpening the knife. Thanks for the video much appreciated 😎👍
Lots of people have "broken" their Maxamet blades, to a degree I've never seen with any other steel. For me, that alone disqualifies it from anything but niche (non-serious) use. I'd take a ZDP-189, 20CV, SV90, S110V steel over it any day.
I had the same issue with Maxamet. I hit a bolt in a package I was opening (not even hard impact) And it nicked the blade. I attempted to sharpen on my KME with diamond plates and it was the weirdest thing I have ever experienced it literally was crumbling. I then tried on ceramic and no go. I then used my Ken Onion Worksharp system with the belts and that was horrible. I never could get a good edge so I sent back to spyderco. They sharpened and sent it back and the edge was okay, but nothing like it was factory new and not much better than what I had accomplished at home. Feeling like I got screwed I attempted to sharpen the knife again. I didn’t go as coarse On the diamond stones and spent the time to make sure I had a good apex. Then worked the burr through the progression of my KME diamond plates up to 1500 grit. The edge was feeling really good and sticky sharp. I did trailing strokes at the end and then went to the diamond paste stops down to .5 micron. The edge looked like polished chrome and it is by far the scariest sharpest knife I own that will make Christmas trees out of free hanging hairs. Looking back I don’t know if it was something with the edge that was over heated or if I just didn’t take it all the way to an Apex or was using to coarse of a grit to start with or a combination. All I can say is it is really sharp now and I am afraid to use it as an EDC because I don’t want to go through that all over again. 😂
Exactly👍 4V or V4E is the most durable knife material ever and im sharpened and used every Spyderco steel (multiple runs of same steels) and i came to conclusion its simply the steel with best balance of hardness/toughness/sharpenability/corrosion resistance on the market! !!
I'm saving my pennies for something in Maxamet but you and Tom are going to drive secondary market prices up if you keep on with this stuff. If Steve ever comes out of hibernation and jumps in then I'm screwed.LoL
I have been wanting something in Maxamet for years. I finally found what I was looking for on flea bay. I got a Manix 2 in Maxamet. I never cared for the look of Spyderco's but I can say I love my Spyderco Manix 2. I finally get it. Keep saving those pennies Maxamet is worth the wait.
@@johnscarborough4746 The Manix I got was sold as used but the description said never used or carried that was close enough for me and what I got it for was 50+ less than the normal New price. When I got it it did appear to have never been used or sharpened. So happy am I. Good luck man.
S90 and s100 are not hair whittlingsharp…they may have great edge retention on paper…but in real use….not as sharp as cts-xhp or even s30….those are the facts…with reprofiling edge or mirror sharpening…maybe but stock out of box….no bueno
Yeah, if you're never going to stress the edge or carry it daily. God leveI edge retention no denying it, I completely agree. I have multiple knives in it. I much prefer my 15v, Rex 45, or S90v if I'm just looking to keep an edge as maintenance is easier, typically just a couple passes on a good strope. Also, those 3 steels perform significantly better after sharpening once. To me, I think Vanax, Lc200n, and Magnacut (proper HRC 😓) are my top picks for folding blades. I just can't leave out cruwear either, though.
Maxamet is not hard to sharpen if you have experience and the right tools. Your stones are too aggressive for D2 and that's why you have so much difficulty compared
Big Bore Knife & Gear 7cr12mov for the win in my book. Beats out 440a any day. It will take an edge if you look at strongly enough or give it a hard stare 😳😳. Great steels review man. I have to ask at what point do we start to worry about the rigidity in the blade at around 65hrc or higher. In cooking steels, we prefer good flex because you can make very hard cuts and start to feel flex before it snaps. Sometimes the softer steels in my knife bags would last longer than my German stainless at crazy HRC levels. It all depends on the geometry I’m sure, but sometimes I’m so happy I just dropped a softer steel knife on my table, or if I hit a staple I might have a bad scratch, but never a bad chip in the edge 🤷🏻♂️. I need to get on some maxamet soon and see what y’all are so excited about- my favorite steel type is Bohler m390 and it’s been my “super steel” of choice alongside RWL-34 which is a new one for me only for about a year with light use. These are killer man - I’m so glad that Chris Gonzales sent me here.
70HRC! I can remember when that would’ve been laughed at and you’d be been told you machine was broke. Amazing
My maxamet is arriving tomorrow so I’m very happy to hear this. Thank you!
That BBB 15v is up there with maxamet for sure!!
Have you tested Spyderco Seki City K390 (Police 4, Stretch 2, Endula, Endera, Delica) since this video was made. I'm hearing Seki City K390 is the best.
I have an old run cruwear Manix that I slapped some micarta scales on…it’s definitely in my top three most valued crucartas. But I think k390 has really proven itself since this video was made. I own a bunch of the seki k390 models (still waiting on a stretch 2xl) and they’ve been incredible…for years on end. K390 is awesome in the sense that it’s got great edge stability, holds its initial sharpness, holds its edge nicely, settles into a working edge predictably and for a 10v class steel, it ages *really* well. My oldest k390 lock back is an endela I bought as soon as they released and it just has a bit of a blue/amber hue in certain lighting. It’s just a phenomenal steel from my experience. Spyderco’s 15v has the potential to be a user steel of that caliber…even usurp it from what I’ve experienced…but unfortunately, I think it will be too limited to propagate in the same way.
Thanks for letting us hear your opinion on the 4 steels. I thought it was very interesting to hear experiences that you have had. Then from those experiences tell us which steel you preferred and why. I think this takes the test results down to a more user level. Knowing you have the test results to back up what you say doesn't hurt any.Hope to get some Maxamet and Cruwear someday. Enjoyed the video thanks for responding to the tag.
You talking garbage.. M4 at 63 is about the same as k390 at same hardness??? It's 10V class steel.. It will still outwear that M4 anyday.. And I forgot 1 more thing.. Rex 45 is true about the same wear resistance as M4 but it has much higher edge stability so it will be able sustain lower angles so that's the beauty of that material...You know this so don't confuse the steel with the steel and don't judge by your opinion or someone else test claims.. Test ,try and you'll see how they stack up
I bet you if you picked up a native 5 at 66-67.5 HRC you'd place it second only to maxamet as far as edge retention is concerned. It's the level of hardness that makes it perform so well not so much the vanadium carbides in the matrix like you would have with k390 or 10V. But as far as edge stability the rex45 would blow away every steel you mentioned including m4. Ease of Sharpening I completely agree with you it would easily be cruwear.
I want a maxamet para 3 but I want it in a coated blade since it patinas but I haven't seen it offered in a coated blade.
Thank you so much brother you gave a whole heap of extremely useful information/techniques regarding knife steel and the most sharpest ( as in holding its edge for the longest ) favourite steel (maxamet) then the rest of the steels in order. You saved me a whole weeks worth of shopping around as I don’t like to just order something online purely because I don’t get a feel of what I’m purchasing. This would have taken at least a week or so for me to figure out but now I feel like I can just order it and know exactly what to expect in the mail. Saying goes as “time is money” which makes me feel horrible because I can’t return you the favour via a generous amount of a super thank you.
Wishing you all the best of luck in your journey.
Peace ✌️
Cruewear is my favorite steel I have tried. Spy27 is also good, like s30v on steroids. S90 is good but hard to sharpen. M4 is a good on my freak, honestly it's not to bad to sharpen as I thought it would be. I'd take s30 over s90v, maybe it's me but really haven't been able to get a good edge on it. I like it holds a edge for a long time.
I love that our experiences with all these steels are basically the same. If I threw s90v into the mix, it'd be at the #3 spot as well. I just hope Spyderco announces more Maxamet models at Shot Show next week!
Me too!!! Can we get a fuckin shaman!!!!
Nice tag response! I like your picks. Loving the Maxamet too!
I;m fond of Cruwear myself. To me, it's the most balanced steel I've tried. Admittedly, I have no experience with Maxamet, and I know it will hold an edge longer, but the Cruwear I have extensive experience I have 4 knives in it. It sharpens easy, takes a very fine edge, and holds it well. .It would be great if Spyderco would push the limits a little more, but it's still going good as it is.
100% love me some cruwear
I haven't tried maxamet yet but I love cruewear. Right now cruewear is my favorite steal because its tough, hard, and not that bad to sharpen. I'm not found of sharpening s90v. Although if a blade has a good profile it will cut a long time. I just sharpened my s90v bugout and it doesn't feel any sharper. But it still cuts like crazy. I just like being able to feel my results. I am impressed with spydercos spy27 it's hard as nails and isn't as hard to sharpen as s90v. I have lots of s30v but haven't had to sharpen it much. I'm pretty sure that I will like it better than s90v because it holds some same properties but should be alot easier to sharpen. Right now cruewear is my number one and spy27 is nice too. I haven't got any m390 yet but I will soon. Honestly good d2 isn't bad and I don't mind 9cr18mov holds a great edge and easy to sharpen. Our grandfathers weren't wrong with loving a good carbon steel.
pretty much exactly what I was going to say. Cruewear is awesome. I have a auto adamas in it and the mini. I also love the spy27 on my pm3.
Very cool brother! Thanks for sharing your favorite with us!!
My Maxamet para 3 is amazing as well. I do like my S90V/154CM manix also. I haven't gotten any cruwear yet but I will im sure. Great video🤘👊
15v, K390, Maxamet... Time for an updated video? I would be willing to loan you 15v ... Thanks for the video.
S90V, Rex45, 10V, K390, and at the top... BBB's 15V.
@@robertbarnum7541 carrying REX 45 Manix LW today 😎👍
Good explanation for what you like
Cruwear is awesome! I agree D2 is more trouble than I sharpen. D2 isn't worth the hassle to me
D2 just have one good Quality. Edge retention is 5/10 by Dr. Thomas. The same than magnacut. Surprise😅
do you have a model # for that black cruwear diamond manix? i’m looking to buy one
They have a Cruwear w/ brown Micarta thats out now... love mine.
I have the pm2 in maxamet, cruwear and s90v. I agree all top steels. But my police 4 in k390 is right ip there. Sharp as hell and tough as nails.
GP has a REX 45 Manix 2 LW for $130
I'm getting a PM2 with cruwear is that alright?
I laughed at 9:58, and I needed a good laugh. Very nice down to earth look at high end steels.
What’s your opinion of s110v?
I like it, and it’s a great choice if you need serious corrosion resistance.
S110v is incredible. I cut up a memory foam queen mattress into small pieces with a para3, took about an hour. Knife will still cut paper. It stays sharp that long.
I have had no trouble sharpening S90V or Maxamet using diamond stones, so I agree with you there.
Just got the CruCarta PM2 but haven't used it much yet. Interested to see how CruWear performs! Thanks for the info!
Nice picks, great tag. Thanks for your opinion on these knives. 🔪😊🇺🇸
Great video brother!! You know I love my maxamet as well!! Thanks as always for sharing brother!!👊👊👊
It spy27?
How is the lockup on that Maxamet manix in the g10 frame? Looks maxed out.
Rex121 try it
YMMV... I think that it comes down to the specific knife you have in hand. The heat treatment is apparently easy to screw up. I have had ZDP 189 performance that is outstanding, zero chips, holds an edge forever. They clearly got the HRC in the sweet spot. Maxamet and M390 have not worked out for me. In the case of my Maxamet P3 the edge chipped on the first day of use. (cardboard and plastic packaging). The blade continued to crumble while I attempted to sharpen the chipping out of the blade. (Diamond matrix stones, relatively soft and forgiving, edge trailing light strokes were used). I just sent the blade back to Spyderco for "warrantee evaluation". M390 seems to be hit or miss "soft". I wasted a lot of $$ on Walmart level performance in M390. S30VN, S110V, M4, VG10 and 90% of the D2 have all done well for me. I know what I've got when sharpening the knife. Thanks for the video much appreciated 😎👍
Lots of people have "broken" their Maxamet blades, to a degree I've never seen with any other steel. For me, that alone disqualifies it from anything but niche (non-serious) use. I'd take a ZDP-189, 20CV, SV90, S110V steel over it any day.
I had the same issue with Maxamet. I hit a bolt in a package I was opening (not even hard impact) And it nicked the blade. I attempted to sharpen on my KME with diamond plates and it was the weirdest thing I have ever experienced it literally was crumbling. I then tried on ceramic and no go. I then used my Ken Onion Worksharp system with the belts and that was horrible. I never could get a good edge so I sent back to spyderco. They sharpened and sent it back and the edge was okay, but nothing like it was factory new and not much better than what I had accomplished at home.
Feeling like I got screwed I attempted to sharpen the knife again. I didn’t go as coarse On the diamond stones and spent the time to make sure I had a good apex. Then worked the burr through the progression of my KME diamond plates up to 1500 grit. The edge was feeling really good and sticky sharp. I did trailing strokes at the end and then went to the diamond paste stops down to .5 micron. The edge looked like polished chrome and it is by far the scariest sharpest knife I own that will make Christmas trees out of free hanging hairs.
Looking back I don’t know if it was something with the edge that was over heated or if I just didn’t take it all the way to an Apex or was using to coarse of a grit to start with or a combination. All I can say is it is really sharp now and I am afraid to use it as an EDC because I don’t want to go through that all over again. 😂
@@dcpreston73 sounds like you had to get through the fatigued factory edge and then some. Could have also been some belt chatter.
I personally like cruwear,4v and s90v.
I had Maxemet with broken tip!!!
Great video I agree Maxamet is amazing stuff 🔥🔥🔥
BASED!
Good video , great info ! Thanks for sharing brother !
Maxamet for the win... again! 😁
Good lineup...but where is the 4V? Thanks BJ!
It's a coming!!!!😈😈😈
Exactly👍 4V or V4E is the most durable knife material ever and im sharpened and used every Spyderco steel (multiple runs of same steels) and i came to conclusion its simply the steel with best balance of hardness/toughness/sharpenability/corrosion resistance on the market! !!
@@georgeyoung4292 agreed 👍. 4V is the best!!!
I'm saving my pennies for something in Maxamet but you and Tom are going to drive secondary market prices up if you keep on with this stuff. If Steve ever comes out of hibernation and jumps in then I'm screwed.LoL
I have been wanting something in Maxamet for years. I finally found what I was looking for on flea bay. I got a Manix 2 in Maxamet. I never cared for the look of Spyderco's but I can say I love my Spyderco Manix 2. I finally get it. Keep saving those pennies Maxamet is worth the wait.
@@BaconNBeer I hear you, I got a Native 5 last week.. A Manix 2 was just a little bit out of reach.
@@johnscarborough4746 The Manix I got was sold as used but the description said never used or carried that was close enough for me and what I got it for was 50+ less than the normal New price. When I got it it did appear to have never been used or sharpened. So happy am I. Good luck man.
Maxamet is weak. But for a 4" blade maybe it holds up
S90 and s100 are not hair whittlingsharp…they may have great edge retention on paper…but in real use….not as sharp as cts-xhp or even s30….those are the facts…with reprofiling edge or mirror sharpening…maybe but stock out of box….no bueno
Maxamet is the best blade steel nothing comes close.
Thanks man.
Yeah, if you're never going to stress the edge or carry it daily. God leveI edge retention no denying it, I completely agree. I have multiple knives in it. I much prefer my 15v, Rex 45, or S90v if I'm just looking to keep an edge as maintenance is easier, typically just a couple passes on a good strope. Also, those 3 steels perform significantly better after sharpening once.
To me, I think Vanax, Lc200n, and Magnacut (proper HRC 😓) are my top picks for folding blades. I just can't leave out cruwear either, though.
Maxamet is not hard to sharpen if you have experience and the right tools. Your stones are too aggressive for D2 and that's why you have so much difficulty compared
Very cool video. I still prefer 8CR🤣🤣
Big Bore Knife & Gear 7cr12mov for the win in my book. Beats out 440a any day. It will take an edge if you look at strongly enough or give it a hard stare 😳😳. Great steels review man. I have to ask at what point do we start to worry about the rigidity in the blade at around 65hrc or higher. In cooking steels, we prefer good flex because you can make very hard cuts and start to feel flex before it snaps. Sometimes the softer steels in my knife bags would last longer than my German stainless at crazy HRC levels. It all depends on the geometry I’m sure, but sometimes I’m so happy I just dropped a softer steel knife on my table, or if I hit a staple I might have a bad scratch, but never a bad chip in the edge 🤷🏻♂️. I need to get on some maxamet soon and see what y’all are so excited about- my favorite steel type is Bohler m390 and it’s been my “super steel” of choice alongside RWL-34 which is a new one for me only for about a year with light use. These are killer man - I’m so glad that Chris Gonzales sent me here.
👍👍👍👍👍
Cru-Wear over anything you have here.
Why do u like the cruwear? I ordered a Brown Micarta PM2 would that be a good knife. I'm trying to find a daily for life.
e=Mc,, no wait,,, what...
لايشوفك ابو مساعد هـههههههههههههههههههههههههههههههههههههههههههههههه
Non of them!!! 4V or V4E.. Its most balanced bladesteel
Too hard and brittle for knifes!!!
Why your hands are so dirty?
Good video , great info ! Thanks for sharing brother !