As you start to dig more into knives and learn more, you'll find that there is always fierce conversation around which steel is the best for which application. Super steels are often praised for their strength and durability but take a lot of patience to sharpen or reprofile. Softer steels allow for more flexibility and are easier to touch-up and sharpen, but won't hold an edge nearly as long.
Below are a list of resources we often use to learn and compare steels. As you continue to grow your knowledge about knives, you'll also find that you have preferences for one steel type over another, whether it's S90V, K930, VG-10, or others.
Interactive Knife Steel Composition Chart - ZKnives has an interactive chart that shows the actual composition of steel. Perfect if you're trying to find a steel that has a higher concentration of Manganese, Carbon, or any other chemical element to get you the results you're looking for. There is an Android and Apple app available as well. A.G. Russell Steel Guide - A powerhouse in the knife world, AG Russell's steel chart separates steel between stainless and not. An easy to read, quick reference for different steels and their chemical composition.
Blade HQ Knife Steel Guide - If you're interested in the pros and cons of the most common knife steels, definitely check out Blade HQ's website. They give you a quick reference chart for each blade to show the balance between edge retention, toughness, corrosion resistance, and ease of sharpening.
Just remember that no matter how tough or hard the steel, you can always put on a Wicked Edge with your precision knife sharpener.
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