20CV steel

[Larrin]

I read quite a while ago that Spyderco had done some testing on 20CV, but never saw any results. According to Timken, it has an amazing combination of corrosion resistance and edge retention, while also having above average toughness, being a powder metallurgy steel.

By the way, before anyone else posts it, here is the data sheet as provided by Timken Latrobe: http://www.timken.com/products/spec...air_melt/ColdWorkToolSteels/DuraTech 20CV.pdf which also has the composition.

 

[Planterz]

The only company that I'm aware of that uses/ed 20CV steel Microtech. They used it as an alternative to S30V. Both my LCCs have this steel. I can tell you from experience that it's an excellent steel. Seems slightly less wear resistant than S30V, but sharpens easier. That's how I think it feels anyway, since I don't have a S30V LCC to make truely scientific comparisons.

 

[Larrin]

The only company that I'm aware of that uses/ed 20CV steel Microtech. They used it as an alternative to S30V. Both my LCCs have this steel. I can tell you from experience that it's an excellent steel. Seems slightly less wear resistant than S30V, but sharpens easier. That's how I think it feels anyway, since I don't have a S30V LCC to make truely scientific comparisons.

According to the composition, it should have slightly better edge retention, but according to Timken, it gets 185% on the CATRA compared to the 145% of S30V. I was wondering if Spyderco got similar results. I also wanted to know what Spyderco got in Q fog testing and any toughness testing they may have done. I'm glad to hear that it sharpens easily, they may be heat treating it to a lower hardness than S30V, which would mean it would probably sharpen up the same at the same hardness. I don't know why they would under-harden it though.

 

[Sal Glesser]

Hi Larrin.

The steel tested well. We tried different Rc's because Timken said that the ratio of corrosion resisistance vs abrasion resistance was different, which we found to be true.

All in all, corrosion resistance and abrasion resistance was very good.

I'm not sure what the percentages mean (145%, etc). CPM S30V will generally cut 6X mm of card stock in plain edge and about 12X in serrated format.

We didn't get the ratio that you described. Our testing gave S30V the edge in abrasion resistance and CV-20 (as it was called when we tested it) had the edge in corrosion resistance.

Perhaps current tests might be slightly different, we tested quite a while ago when the steel was new.

Both are, IMO, excellent steels.

sal

 

[Larrin]

Thanks, Sal. That just leaves the question of whether 20CV has a different composition now, or if they did tests at higher hardness than the S30V, which you, of course, can't answer.

I've seen those percentages used by Timken and Crucible, based on 440C being 100%. It has to do with some kind of standardized testing when it comes to kitchen knives. I don't know much more than that.

 

[Sal Glesser]

If our ELUs decide they want a Spyderco with 20CV, we'll do it. We've got a few oddballs in the works for the steel junkies.

S30V and VG-10 are our standards for USA & Seki made designs. They have proven to be excellent in all areas.

8Cr13MoV was the best we could find in China, so we're using it for the "byrds".

Generally speaking, we will gravitate towards the better performing materials, when given a choice. Price is not a primary consideration, that's why are designs are "pricey".

We offer a 3" USA made model with S30V blade, lock-back, with an FRN handle for under $100. If you know anything about steel costs and steel processing costs, that's a lot of bang for the buck.

20CV costs are up there with S30V. Anybody using 20CV in production has my respect.

sal

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