1. CTS-XHP

CTS-XHP from the United States is also a relatively new steel that also has good edge retention and a hardness of about 61HRC. This is another creation of powder metallurgy. Carpenter 

technicians have refined excellent powder particles to achieve optimal performance. The edge retention is slightly better than S30V, but the grinding process requires a little more effort. It is 

generally believed that CTS-XHP is more corrosion-resistant than D2 steel, which has superior edge retention. And unlike D2 steel, it is not easy to grind and is easy to break. Most of Cold 

Steel's folding knives have been replaced with this steel. It has to be said that Cold Steel is a pioneer in the large-scale adoption of new steels and new materials in the knife industry.

2. CPM M4

A higher-performance tool steel with good toughness, arguably better than any other carbon steel. Like all CPM steels, CPM M4 uses Crucible's patented Crucible Particle Metallurgy (CPM) 

process, which produces a very uniform, stable and machinable product compared to conventional processes. CPM M4 has a great balance of wear resistance and toughness by adding large 

doses of molybdenum, vanadium, tungsten and of course a lot of carbon. Hardness is about 62-64HRC, but be aware that M4 is a carbon steel with a relatively low chromium content, not 

stainless steel. So although this is one of the best steels shipped for cutting, it must be carefully cared for and may rust over time. Some manufacturers use surface coatings to prevent rust, 

but it is still not a long-term solution. Is it easy to sharpen? ...Uh, no.

3. CPM S35VN

In 2009, Crucible and Chris Reeve produced a slightly better steel than their premium steel S30V, S35VN. It is through the use of a finer grain structure and the addition of a small amount of 

niobium that the excellent S3OV is easier to cut, tougher and easier to sharpen. However, in real life, you can hardly find the difference between the two. Many people think that this is the 

limit of "mainstream" knife steels. You can hardly buy a steel that can better edge retention, toughness and rust resistance at this price.

4. CPM S30V

Made by Crucible in the United States, CPM 30V steel has extraordinary edge retention and rust resistance. It is designed in the United States and is specifically used to make high-end pocket 

knives and expensive knives and forks. The addition of vanadium carbide greatly increases the hardness of the alloy matrix. You get what you pay for, and it is basically considered one of the 

best knife steels with the best balance of edge retention, hardness and toughness. Note that S30V has an excellent brother model S35VN, which is similar in shape, but S35VN is undoubtedly 

easier to build due to the addition of niobium. But S30V is still quite common today and remains one of our favorites.