Steel Selection

Steel Selection Guide for Dauntless Manufacturing Knives

Choosing the right steel is essential for optimizing your knife's performance, durability, and maintenance requirements. Each steel offers distinct strengths, like high edge retention, superior toughness, or resistance to corrosion. Here’s an in-depth guide to Dauntless Manufacturing’s steel options, designed to match your knife needs.


AEB-L

Technical Details: AEB-L’s unique composition balances chromium and carbon for fine grain structure, creating high edge stability, excellent toughness, and easy sharpening. This is a high-performing stainless steel for maintaining a durable, stable edge in various conditions.

Corrosion Resistance: High
Edge Retention: Moderate
Toughness: High

Best For: AEB-L suits users who want low-maintenance durability and versatility, making it great for outdoor use and kitchen applications where reliability and ease of sharpening are important.


80CrV2

Technical Details: A high-carbon steel enriched with vanadium, 80CrV2 offers incredible toughness and flexibility, resisting cracking and chipping even under heavy use. However, its limited chromium content makes it more prone to rust and requires routine maintenance.

Corrosion Resistance: Low
Edge Retention: Moderate
Toughness: Very High

Best For: Ideal for demanding tasks like bushcraft, survival, and heavy chopping where blade durability is critical. Its toughness makes it a favorite for large knives and outdoor survival tools but requires regular cleaning and oiling to prevent rust.


CPM M4

Technical Details: CPM M4 is a high-speed tool steel with added vanadium and molybdenum, creating a high carbide volume. This structure gives it outstanding edge retention and wear resistance but makes it susceptible to corrosion.

Corrosion Resistance: Low
Edge Retention: Excellent
Toughness: Moderate

Best For: This steel is perfect for users needing long-lasting sharpness and clean, precise cuts, such as woodworkers and chefs. With its hardness and edge-holding capabilities, CPM M4 performs exceptionally in cutting-intensive tasks but requires consistent care to avoid rust.


CPM Magnacut

Technical Details: Specifically engineered for knives, CPM Magnacut optimizes chromium and nitrogen levels to deliver exceptional corrosion resistance, toughness, and edge retention. Its balanced alloying creates a fine grain structure for an ideal combination of strength and sharpness.

Corrosion Resistance: Very High
Edge Retention: High
Toughness: High

Best For: As a high-performance, low-maintenance choice, CPM Magnacut is excellent for general-purpose, tactical, or survival knives. Its strong corrosion resistance and edge durability make it ideal for use in varied climates and environments, especially for users seeking versatility without frequent maintenance.


CPM 3V

Technical Details: Engineered with a high volume of vanadium carbides, CPM 3V’s structure maximizes toughness and impact resistance, making it incredibly resilient under stress. While not as corrosion-resistant as true stainless steels, it offers moderate resistance with proper care.

Corrosion Resistance: Moderate
Edge Retention: High
Toughness: Very High

Best For: CPM 3V is perfect for outdoor applications involving rough use, such as chopping, batoning, or other heavy-duty tasks. Its resilience against impact makes it a reliable choice for those in need of a blade that can endure rigorous conditions while maintaining sharpness.


S35VN

Technical Details: S35VN balances toughness, edge retention, and corrosion resistance through its vanadium and niobium carbides. This composition ensures excellent wear resistance, good toughness, and stainless properties, making it a versatile option.

Corrosion Resistance: High
Edge Retention: High
Toughness: Moderate

Best For: As an all-around performer, S35VN suits everyday carry (EDC) and outdoor knives, where balanced durability, edge retention, and corrosion resistance are essential. It’s easy to maintain and ideal for users seeking a durable, reliable blade for general-purpose or tactical use.


D2

Technical Details: D2 is a high-carbon, semi-stainless steel known for its wear resistance, thanks to its high chromium content. While it offers good edge retention, its toughness is moderate, making it more susceptible to chipping under heavy impact.

Corrosion Resistance: Moderate
Edge Retention: High
Toughness: Moderate

Best For: Ideal for everyday use, hunting knives, or outdoor tasks that don’t involve heavy impact. D2 requires some care to avoid rust but performs well in dry environments.


5160

Technical Details: 5160 is a spring steel with high toughness, containing moderate carbon and chromium. Known for its flexibility and shock resistance, it can withstand repeated stress without breaking. However, it offers limited edge retention compared to modern tool steels.

Corrosion Resistance: Low
Edge Retention: Moderate
Toughness: Very High

Best For: Perfect for large knives, swords, and heavy-duty survival tools. 5160’s shock-absorbing properties make it ideal for chopping and batoning, though it requires regular maintenance to prevent rust.


CPM 154

Technical Details: CPM 154 is a powdered metallurgy version of 154CM, featuring fine, evenly distributed carbides that improve edge retention and corrosion resistance. It offers better toughness than standard stainless steels and is relatively easy to sharpen.

Corrosion Resistance: High
Edge Retention: High
Toughness: Moderate

Best For: CPM 154 is great for everyday carry (EDC) and outdoor knives, offering excellent edge retention and corrosion resistance. It’s an ideal option for users who need a reliable, low-maintenance blade with enhanced durability.


Updated Summary of Steel Choices

  • For Edge Retention: CPM M4, D2, CPM 154
  • For Toughness: 80CrV2, CPM 3V, 5160
  • For Corrosion Resistance: CPM Magnacut, CPM 154
  • For All-Around Performance: S35VN, CPM Magnacut
  • For Low-Maintenance & Versatility: AEB-L

This expanded guide offers an overview of the strengths and ideal applications for each steel. For further comparisons, refer to Knife Steel Nerds by Larrin Thomas.