best folding pocket knife or best steel for them?
looking for a good pocket knife. i keep going through these 440 steel pocket knives with every day work usage. this will be my 4th. even when i use a whetstone they stay sharp for a short period of time but the edge does not last, 440 is too soft! what is a good steel to look for in a pocket knife? also what are some good brands. ive been using gerber and buck sofar. if you could recommend me a few mid/small sized knives i would greatly appreciate it!
There are a lot of steels that can hold the edge much better for different types of uses compared to 440A, 440B or 440C. 440 series are quite old by now.
Steel being soft is maker’s decision, and even the best steel will underperform if left soft.
M2, D2, CPM 110V, CPM 10V, ZDP-189, S30V they will all hold good edge, especially if you get them from the reputable maker.
I suggest you read knife steel FAQ – http://zknives.com/knives/articles/knifesteelfaq.shtml
And there’s a lot more in knife steel composition chart: – http://zknives.com/knives/steels/steelchart.php
Cold Steel Gunsite Series (folding knives)