>>26761832/3
Those makers go above and beyond someone like Medford who does a very good job of sticking to what the steel manufacturer recommends for a HT, but will do no more or less than that
Some other considerations, within the same steel typically hardness go up, edge retention goes up, but toughness goes down
Knife thickness, more thicc = you can beat on it more, less thicc = slicier
If you're getting it to whittle you want a thinner knife
If it's something you're gonna be hammering on then you generally want a minimum of 0.16" or 4mm
If you want a shortlist of steels see
>>2676035All of these are considered exotic to one extent or another, with the exception of 14c28n, 19C27, and AEB-L
Some are unobtainium like K890
Some only 1 or 2 knife makers work with
Gossman is one of the only makers that works with S7
Lionsteel is about the only company making anything in K490
INFI is proprietary to Busse and Swamp Rat
Normal 3V is made by a ton of knife makers and is a generally good balanced steel that's tough as balls
Carothers Performance Knives and Swamp Rat (and certain Survive! 3V knives that have a triangle, or delta symbol next to the CPM-3V mark) make an indestructible version of it that is more corrosion resistant than normal 3V as an added bonus (their heat treat results in less chromium carbide formation leaving more free chromium in the steel matrix)
TRC and Carothers are the kangz of V4E, TRC's might be superior with their deep cryo, both are damn good
TRC do Elmax better than anyone
For your other question
>How much do I have payMinimum near $300 if you want to get into 3V or Magnacut of sufficient thickness with a guaranteed good standard heat treat
Around $400 for a new Busse if you're willing to wait, or a new CPK if you can actually fucking get a slot on bladeforums sales
Usually used these go for more because of scarcity, some exceptions
Get used to cruising
bladeforums.com and
bushcraftusa.com, or sites like it if you want the best of the best
