Maybe I just do not understand that D2 is supposed to be difficult to sharpen. I have never been stymied when sharpening D2 to me it behave much like S30V and ATS-34. The EoS score that Matt Davidson gave D2 surprises me a bit. I have no experience with Elmax steel, but I have four pocket knives with D2 blades. The data sheet for S35VN includes the assertion that it is easier to machine than is S30V. I used CTS-XHP and 154CM to bound the group, while S35VN is a refined version of S30V. I italicized three of the steels in this group to denote that I have not worked with them. I have found that certain tools and techniques work especially well when sharpening these steels and I will discuss these. It certainly takes somewhat more effort to sharpen S30V and ATS-34 than is normal with 420HC through 440-C, but I would not categorize them as hard to sharpen. My experience is that they show markedly better edge retention than do the steels in the first group. I currently have two knives each with S30V and ATS-34 blades all have been acquired within the last three years. This first group of steels may be compared with the groups below. I judge that these two steels do show better edge retention than the other steels in the group. My experience with 14C28N and 440-C is that they sharpen a bit slower than the steels already mentioned. Therefore, the EoS and ER index numbers for these steels seem reasonable to me. I have a lot of experience with 420HC, 1095 and AUS-8, and I have always found them a snap to sharpen, with reasonable edge retention. These are serviceable blade steels that have been popular for some time. The index values suggested by Matt Davidson jibe closely with my own judgments of the ease of sharpening and edge retention of steels with which I have experience. The article appears on the Knife Informer website. The listed EoS and ER values are extracted from an article titled "Guide to the Best Knife Steel" by Matt Davidson. The Rockwell hardness index (Rc) range to which each steel is usually tempered for use in blades is also noted. The EoS and ER numbers are scaled 1 to 10, with EoS = 10 being easiest to sharpen and ER = 10 denoting highest edge retention. Here is a list of selected blade steels, with scaled judgement values of their ease of sharpening (EoS) and edge retention (ER). I accepted the challenge, partly because it was in line with a project I had left on the back burner for some time, an article on "knives that are hard to sharpen."Įase of sharpening, edge retention and temper of selected steels However, he occasionally makes a suggestion, as when he recently asked me for an article on sharpening S30V. He pretty much lets his editors and contributors follow their interests in writing topics, then works them onto the website as he sees fit. The home knife sharpener may have to modify or add to his/her tool set and learn some new techniques or nuances to get consistent, satisfactory results when sharpening more demanding steels.Īlthough he has editorial standards, Guns and Shooting Online Owner/Managing Editor Chuck Hawks is not a control freak. I concede that high performance knife steels may take more time and effort to sharpen than more pedestrian materials such as 1095, 420HC and the like. I say this based on personal experience, research and logic. ![]() I believe this is more internet myth than real world fact. There is a rumor going about that modern "super" knife blade steels, such as S30V, S35VN and such are hard to sharpen. Illustration courtesy of Best Sharpening Stones. UltraSharp XLS Combination Diamond Sharpening Stone. Sharpening S30V and Similar Super Steel Knife Blades
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