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What is your favorite steel for a hunting blade?

I like re-cycled 440A.

I really like CPM3V or CPMS30V. It is a toss up and I don't want to pick one over the other�

D2. 154cm 2nd

CPM S90V Hands down for me. But there are a lot of other great steels for the application.

I got one of those (S90V). Seems to be the cat's a$$ as far as holding an edge. Never sharpened it though.

CPM-154

52100

antlers I have a few in S90V they hold an edge very well. If you maintain the edge (strop) it doesn't need much more. If you let it go you better know what you are doing or you will soon hate S90V.

With all steels there are trade offs. The only thing I see in my opinion with S90V is "if" you let it go it can be tough to get it back. So either you learn to maintain it, you learn to sharpen it, or you send it to someone that can do it for you.

I am pretty sure you know how to maintain and sharpen, so not an issue for you.

154, Elmax, AEB-L

I started out using 440C. Then migrated to 154CM, A2 and CPMS30V and a little 52100. To date, I do not recall having any complaints come back with edge acquisition or retention an issue.
There are a lot of good steels out there.
Many of the "differences" are found in laboratory environments.
Many of the "problems" are not due to the steel chemistry itself.

I do know that MontanaCreekHunter uses the chit out of blades, so I respect his comments above. But I don't think S90V is in my future builds.

jmho
Tim

D2

MRK the steels you are using are all great steels. Your Heat treat is very good. As you already know the best steel in the world not properly heat treated isn't worth a damn.

I really like A2 but it isn't my go to for a hunter. S30V is a great steel and I own many blades in hunting designs of it. In my opinion S30V is for the average guy the best way to go in a hunting/fishing knife.

440C and 154CM will get the job done for sure and has for many years.

There is nothing wrong with a maker sticking to steels they know and have worked well for them.

I have put several of your knives to work over the years. They have all held up very well. My neighbors son has beat the hell out of that B&T I gave him of yours. I know he has used it on two bears, a moose, and somewhere around 8 to 10 deer. I don't know how many ducks and geese but guessing over 100. He has whittled a few walking sticks too with it. The only noticeable wear and tear is the wood scales are a little fadded and the sheath is dirty.

I can't pick just one, there are just too many, with great properties. Not all of them are perfect for every use though.
The steel that was used for the two knives I most often take afield though, is S30V.

I started with 440C then progressed to ATS-34. When that started getting dirty,I went to CPM154.
It's not the only one in use, I still use D2,O1, 52100,BG42, and S60v.

Each has its use and has been said many times,heat-treat and grinds does it.

Of course if you get away from hunting/skinning knives my steel choice changes. I like 5160 in larger blades that would be used for chopping. A2 and good ol 1095 are never bad choices for hunting blades either. You can get a hamon in these carbon steels that you cannot achieve in the stainless varieties, if looks also matter to you.

One I have coming in 1095.

MCH--an outstanding report that any maker would like hearing.

"My neighbors son has beat the hell out of that B&T I gave him of yours. I know he has used it on two bears, a moose, and somewhere around 8 to 10 deer. I don't know how many ducks and geese but guessing over 100. He has whittled a few walking sticks too with it. The only noticeable wear and tear is the wood scales are a little fadded and the sheath is dirty."

Good the hear it is being well used.
Possibly he couldn't even tell you the steel used without checking.
Tim

I don't think he even knows what steel it is. I did tell him about it when I first gave it to him. All he cares is it does the job.

Old style. I like 1095. No mystery, easy to sharpen.

For stainless I like S90V
For most anything else my overall favorite is 3V