Cheap Knife Steel, Decoded: What D2, 14C28N and 8Cr Actually Get You Under $50
The single spec that separates a great sub-$50 EDC knife from a disappointing one isn’t the handle or the lock — it’s the steel. Here’s how D2, 14C28N, Nitro-V, AR-RPM9 and 8Cr actually behave in your pocket, and how to read a spec sheet before you buy.