Decision tool

Find your first pair

Two quick questions about how you cut and how your hands hold up. You'll get a spec to look for: edge, handle and length, plus what to ask the maker about the steel. No affiliate links, no "shop now."

This picker needs JavaScript. In the meantime: a steel name alone won't tell you how long a pair stays sharp. Compare the maker's published hardness, the edge type and how the pair fits your hand. Steel references: 440C, VG-10, cobalt alloy.For handle comfort, see offset, crane, and swivel handles.

Want to weigh specific steels against each other? See the steel comparisons, or read the full steel types guide.