J
I have worked with A-2, 440C, 154CM, CPM154, S30V and 52100.
All heat treated in the 59-61 Rc range.
I personally see damned little difference in the difficulty to sharpen any of these and little difference in the edge retention either.
I don't see a lot of difference on the belt sander when doing the profiles and bevels either. Whether mill temper or heat treated.
Some are a little 'chippier' when cutting on band saw or drilling holes.
My experience and opinion is that you need a lab equipment environment to really see the performance differences
(with the geometry, heat treat and sharpening being equal) among the many good steels that I have worked with.
I keep my stones wet.
I use water with a drop of dish soap in it.
I keep the stones clean between blades using a toothbrush and the soapy water.
I change stones when they get worn much past flat.
I buy my stones from Edge Pro for quality reasons.
I like the Edge Pro for the ability to change stones quickly and the feel I have when holding the knife. I do not like the need to protect the blade with tape during sharpening, but the scotch brite belt will clean up the scratch nicely if I do mark up the blade.
I still use bench stones free hand occasionally and a Work Sharp for kitchen and fillet knives.
But that is just me and probably tooooo much info.
Tim
