Overview & First Impressions
Cutting webbing is more demanding than it looks. Tubular nylon and Spectra cord are not rigid materials that part under a blade; they are soft, tough and inclined to slide away from the edge. A knife that sharpens to a polished, highly refined apex glides across the surface, whereas a blade with a slightly toothy edge grabs the fibres and slices through. That single distinction explains most of the difference between the steels people actually choose for rigging work, and it is why premium rigging knives often look unusual to a collector.
Materials & Construction
Three categories dominate this conversation. Damascus steel, with its layered structure and carbon-rich composition, takes an extremely fine edge and holds a micro-serrated character that is excellent on fibrous material. CPM-S35VN, a particle-metallurgy stainless, is the toughness and corrosion-resistance choice: it holds a working edge much longer and will not rust in a damp rigging loft, but it is harder to sharpen to the same level of aggression. M390, the high-chromium particle steel, sits at the top of the wear-resistance scale, which is the property you want if the knife will spend weeks in a kit bag between sharpenings. A knife such as the GEO Knife Ethereal Cutter GEO2402A, with its M390 blade, a titanium handle and a crossbar lock, represents the durability end of the range.
Design & Details
Choosing between them is a question of maintenance appetite. Damascus gives the best cutting feel on webbing but needs more frequent touch-ups and more careful corrosion care, and it should not be left wet. S35VN is the balanced answer: good edge retention, excellent corrosion resistance, tolerant of a working environment. M390 is the choice for anyone who wants the longest interval between sharpening sessions and does not mind that the edge feels less aggressive on nylon. Among folding knives for rigging, the lock also matters far more than the steel, because a folding knife that closes under load is a serious hazard regardless of the blade.
Real-World Use
In a rigging loft the practical test is a single cut through a doubled length of tubular webbing followed by a cut through a length of Spectra cord. A Damascus blade usually wins the first cut and needs a strop after a dozen. An S35VN blade maintains a working edge through a full weekend of repacking. An M390 blade is still cutting when the others have gone dull. A compact EdcMall light is a sensible companion for inspecting a cut end for a clean, square, unburned edge, which is what a rigger checks before accepting a repair.
Ownership Notes
Whatever steel you choose, the routine is the same. Cut on a clean surface rather than on concrete, replace the blade if it ever chips because a chipped edge snags webbing, strop frequently and sharpen rarely, and dry the knife after handling damp line. Keep a small diamond stone in the loft. EdcMall carries the folders that stand up to professional rigging use. Steel comparisons only matter once the knife is a tool rather than a decoration. Among EDC knives, the ones that actually get used on webbing are the ones whose owners keep them sharp, and the ones that get sharpened are the ones whose steel is easy enough to maintain. Buy accordingly.
Who Is This For?
This is for riggers choosing a first rigging knife, collectors deciding whether a Damascus blade is worth the maintenance and anyone who cuts webbing, cord and heavy fabric professionally. A buyer who only opens boxes can pick any steel they like the look of.
Final Verdict
On fibrous material the edge geometry decides the cut and the steel decides the sharpening interval. Damascus for feel, S35VN for balance, M390 for longevity. The lock, not the steel, is the safety-critical part.
