What’s up guys, figured I would wake up sharp talk with a conversation on some newer steels. When I first got into knives “high end” stuff was ATS-34 and BG-42 was another one. Strider was the first higher end modern company I liked, I started with a few fixed blades in ATS-34 then the folders eventually came in S30V like the Sebenza. It seems like forever until S30V went away and now we have many interesting high hardness “super steels”. I’ll admit I rarely hard use or put into continuous use a folding knife where I couldn’t get away with a fairly basic steel. Where as I do use fixed blades to the point where they need a sharpening at the end of the day. Granted this isn’t required work but mere fun and practice of different outdoor activities in the woods.

This low priced ($42) Kershaw in D2 with my old Camillus, both have been doing excellent and perhaps better than many knives that compete with them way above the price class. The heat treatment on this 1095 Camillus is amazing.

Contrasting the newer Model Chris Reeve Inkosi in S45VN. I look for CRK to switch to Magnacut depending on supply of the material.

Here’s a link to a little talk with the inventor of CPM Magnacut

https://youtu.be/9vx1hCK4LfA

I've always been a fan of D2 and ATS34. I once skinned a whole bear, including the paws and feet without sharpening my Bud Tracy "Backpacker" in D2, and carried my Benchmade Spyderco copy ATS34 for 10 years. Still, I'm not complaining about 154CM, as it cuts as good as I can sharpen them.

Pap

Yes 154 is another great older one. I’ve had experience with Emerson’s 154 and some CPM 154. It’s said they are different but both work well in my lighter usage.

I did manage to break a Ka-Bar in D2 but I’m confident the serrations were to blame as they notoriously weaken a blade.

That’s not a good look for sure.
Walker

I am sure liking the RTL-34 steel that Willem Okelly is using on their knives at K'Roo knives.

It sure holds a SHARP edge well !!!

Howdy Ben,
Just wondering really, but why unless absolutely necessary, or you work and get paid to do so would you break and abuse knives? Or were you doing something other than using your K-Bar as a Pry-Bar?
Not trying to be a smart-A……just wondering about “page 2, & the rest of the story”.

I wonder what "RTL-34" is. I can't find any reference to it outside of K'roo Knives.

I have several Benchmades with ATS-34 and 154CM. ATS-34 is the Japanese (Hitachi) equivalent to 154CM and got popular here in the states around 2000 when 154CM was in short supply and/or was of poor quality (bad QC).

You can now get some knives in S90V which will hold an edge for a seriously long time but you need a diamond stone/rod to bring it back.

I believe the reference to RTL 34 is a typo. I’ve seen Kroo’s knives described as being made from RWL-34 steel, which is a non-patterned powdered steel made by Damasteel.

My mistake. You are correct. It is RWL-34, not RTL.