For weeks now, I have been obsessing over choosing my first real quality field / bushcraft knife. I am very interested in the LT Wright GNS but uncertain as to the right grind and steel choice. Since this will be a general purpose blade, not just for bushcraft tasks, I am leaning towards a Sabre grind over the scandi, but looking for experienced guidance on this issue.

As for steel choices, it’s offered in 3V, AEB-L, A2 and 01. Since I have rookie sharpening skills, I am staying away from the 3V, and lean towards the AEB-l. The stainless nature looks to be something I would appreciate over the A2 or 01 living in the Carolinas. The heat treat on the LT AEB-L is 57-59, which seems soft for that steel, and doesn’t seem to take advantage of its benefits. So I am asking for help with this choice as well.

Other knife options are also appreciated, but I want to stay in the $200 range if possible.

Little over your budget! That's what we're here for! I've sharpened a handful of Survive GSO knives for friends. Don't own one myself. The fit/finish/grind is very good, handles feel great hand. Excellent knives. Some of the models are now being offered in CPM MagnaCut steel. MagnaCut is a stain resistant steel. I have not sharpened MagnaCut yet.

https://surviveknives.com/gso-knives/

https://knifesteelnerds.com/2021/03/25/cpm-magnacut/

https://knifesteelnerds.com/20.../04/all-about-aeb-l/

Ya, 57-59 is a little low.

Picture of a Survive 4.0 on the 3rd page of my Sharpening Super Steels thread.

Avoid Survive! Knives like the plague. It's a ponzi scheme that looks outwardly like a knife company. They don't stock anything and take years to deliver. An in stock knife will claim delivery in 90 days and them morphs out to 9 months or more. They have outstanding orders going back 5 years.

Here's a long running thread on Bladeforums.
https://www.bladeforums.com/th...ll-of-shame.1613748/

quote:

Some of the models are now being offered in CPM MagnaCut steel

They just haven't received the steel, never worked with it and haven't made any knives with it yet.

quote:

LT Wright GNS

Personally I like the Genesis Flat. With the convex edge you can sharpen it with 3M wet\dry sandpaper on a mouse pad.

Your rookie sharpening skills isn't a determining factor for which steel you should get. Here's why: If you get a softer steel, then it means you'll just be needing to sharpen it more often with your rookie sharpening skills. If you get a harder steel, you'll need to sharpen it less often but you still have your rookie sharpening skills.

It doesn't take much to upgrade your sharpening skills; just go look up how to sharpen videos. A good deal of it is just understanding what you're trying to accomplish. I could never sharpen up until maybe 5 years ago. It's a good skill to acquire and quite relaxing also.

The kind of steel you want is based on what sharpening tool you have or are willing to get. Good luck.