A few viewers have asked me to talk directly about the different kinds of steels available in modern pocketknives. My hope is that it helps you understand some of the options, and the *actual* role of steel in choosing the best knife for you.
Fellow Steel Snobs: If you disagree with anything I’m saying here, let me know in the comments!
Price: $34.95
S-TEC TS016 EDC Tactical Pocket Knife, 8CR14 Stainless Steel, G10 Handle, Lanyard Hole, Hunting Outdoor Sport, Ambidextrous Clip (Army Green)
Specification Overall:8.5 inch overall length Blade Length:3.5 inch blade Handle Length:5 inch handle Pocket Clip: Ambidextrous Pocket Clip Blade Material: 8CR14 Stainless Steel Handle Material: G10 Composite (as of December 2, 2019 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
Price:
S-TEC TS011 EDC Tactical Pocket Knife, 8CR14 Stainless Steel, G10 Handle, Lanyard Hole, Hunting Outdoor Sport, (Tactical Black G10 w/Full Edge)
Specification Overall:10 inch overall length Blade Length:4.5 inch blade Handle Length:5.5 inch handle Pocket Clip: Right Hand Pocket Clip Blade Material: 8CR14 Stainless Steel Handle Material: G10 Composite (as of December 11, 2019 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
Price: $49.98
TACTICAL GEARZ TG Tatsu S! Tc4 Titanium/Carbon Fiber Handle! Japanese Style EDC Folding Knife w/Sheath! Polished D2 Steel Drop Point Blade! Ball Bearing Pivot System! (Tatsu S)
**Modern Higonokam Folder! TacticalGearz Tc4 Titanium Japanese Style Folding Knife! High Quality, Razor Sharp D2 Steel Blade with double beveled Spear Tip edge! Knife features a traditional Japanese Style Thumb Lever to give you a single hand... (as of December 11, 2019 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
Price:
![Top 5 Best Cold Steel Pocket Knives | EDC [Everyday Carry], Outdoor & Tactical Folding Knives (2017)](https://img.youtube.com/vi/-z88-jSBBBw/0.jpg "Top 5 Best Cold Steel Pocket Knives | EDC [Everyday Carry], Outdoor & Tactical Folding Knives (2017)")
Nick, would love to see you do an update on your thoughts for steels since its coming up on 3 years since this one. I know there are some new ones and your thoughts may have changed on some from this list as well.
I love the way you present your reviews and informative vids. very very good stuff here.
I’ll bet he could give the Jerky Boys a run for their money in a cocky phone prank! Love that accent. I’m from New Yawk myself. Great, highly informative video, btw. Thanks!
I just bought a Honey Badger as a budget EDC. It has a 8cr13mov blade. My main concern is edge retention. I’m electrician so I’m mainly using it for opening boxes, and skinning wires… What’s your opinion? Great video by the way!
I like 154CM. Good toughness, relative ease of sharpening, and good corrosion resistance. All with decent enough edge retention.
D2
GREAT INFORMATION
I love a good m390 or m4 blade, but I don’t automatically disregard budget steels. Like you mentioned, I enjoy sharpening knives. To me it is both relaxing and challenging at the same time. I love putting a hair popping mirror edge on even my 8cr13MoV Honey Badger. I look at it as practice for my more expensive knives. Another fine video Nick. I’ve been collecting knives since the early 90s and remember when Aus8 and ATS34 were the mainstays. Thumb studs and liner locks were new and innovative. Man this hobby just keeps getting better.
AUS-10?
Thanks Nick!! Saves Us Tons Of Research…I Wonder If The knife Community Really Knows Just how Much Info Your Giving us. I Do .
Other than consideration of corrosion resistance, steel choice is actually more important in fixed blades than folders. If you carry a folder, any decent steel will do. Really.
Barely adequate needs to be changed to really good for the budget price.
I like all sorts of steels for different purposes. My glock 81 field knife won’t take an edge for shit, but you can cut open steel ammo cans, pry heavy duty wood pallets apart, hammer on it with a sledge hammer and it stays as it was when I bought it 15 years ago. It’s like the same steel they use for a leaf spring on a dump truck. Tough as shit, but rusts when you look at it too long. I tried breaking that knife, and failed. And it’s not even full tang. Great $30 camping knife.
Helpful and well organized. Something you don’t always get. Thanks man
He sounds like Squidward
vg10 and s30v my favorite
Why no CPM3V, CPM CruWear or Elmax? I have blades in all 3 and they are amazing.
8cr13
Nick where does Böhler N690 fall?
That voice has to be fake, a gimmick. Can’t be natural.
Surgical SS is 440. Or that was what it was when I was using a scaple.
He sounds like a voice for a sandwich commercial. Boring video…
While I love hair popping edges on knives, with very very fine edges. I think for an EDC a steel with larger carbides with more micro-serrations makes a better utility style knife.
I was kinda hoping he would say “see” at the end of at least one of his sentences
‘Annnd dats a deal bweaker…Whaateever..’ Leo Gorcey, The Bowery Boyz…. Luv it! (And good info!)
Boston accent? Lmao
Does it bother anyone else that Nick has the auto-iris setting on on the camera? Turn that shit off, nick.