Choosing the best steel for fixed blade knives requires balancing toughness, edge retention, corrosion resistance, and ease of maintenance. High toughness steels like CPM 3V and 5160 suit heavy use, while super steels like M390 excel in sharpness and corrosion resistance. Stainless steels such as LC200N and H1 shine in wet environments. Understanding your intended use and maintenance ability helps pick the ideal steel for lasting knife performance.