Thread: Knife steels I have known...

Knife steels I have known, based on dozens of knives used on many hundreds of mainly deer and Tahr. In descending order (I have included approx. price range in NZD landed). Just my own home spun wisdom and experience. Guidelines, not rules.

Way above average: can slice A4 copy paper without any feathering after dressing and boning a whole deer in the field. I’m certain it could do several.

Bark River Elmax ($300)

Above average: can slice A4 copy paper, but some feathering

Bark River 3V ($275)
Bark River S35VN ($250)
Chris Reeves S35VN ($250)
Bark River CPM D2 ($250)
Enzo 690co ($200)

Average: cuts A4 copy paper but roughly

Bark River A2 (59-60RC) ($270)
Boker 695 ($150)
Bark River A2 (58-60RC) ($250)
Custom Brown NZ 12c27 ($200)
Adventure Sworn O1 ($250)
Enzo D2 (chippy, bugger of a steel) ($150)

Below average: bruises A4 copy paper more than it cuts it (but these mainly carbon steels can be quickly restored with a steel while on the job - I don’t have the patience or inclination nowadays)

Bahco & Mora Stainless ($50-$75)
Blackjack 1095 ($150)
Chap who used to sell knives on here L6 ($150)
Svord carbon steel ($170)
ANZA (USA, made from Wiltshire files) ($150)
Cold Steel 1095 ($140)
Green River carbon ($80)
Victorinox stainless and such like ($80)
Silver Stag Damascus ($200)
Opinal carbon ($50)
Mercator carbon ($50)
Ko-hi-nor carbon ($50)

Shocker:

Beretta 440A ($150)