3V vs S35VN characteristics?

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masterj said:
So guys just to clarify. Kershaw has treated their new 0550 s35 at a 61-62HRC? which according to testing done by members here, eliminated most of the said problems?
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It depends on what you call a problem. The steel holds its edge in normal cutting just like any other steel. (much like S30V)

It's when you come into contact with hard or abrasive materials (rope) that the steel performs oddly. Unlike any other steel I've ever used, S35VN completely flattens (blunts) when it comes into contact with rope and other hard, abrasive materials. Whether or not this is a problem is up to the end user. But yes, I believe that higher hardness would remedy that behavior. :)
 
I have a feeling that in time the longer that S35VN is out there could be some adjustments made in how it's handled depending on how it does.

It's a process I believe and it's still early in the game.
 
Ankerson said:
I have a feeling that in time the longer that S35VN is out there could be some adjustments made in how it's handled depending on how it does.

It's a process I believe and it's still early in the game.
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It was sure tough being a 2x's guinea pig - $830 of crap (what I'm into the 1st quarter for) :mad:
 
Thomas W said:
I'm not really seeing "problems". I see a member that didn't like the result of 2 samples of S35VN. I see other members including a knifemaker, say 35VN performs admirably.

Additionally I'm not seeing the "hype" a few are griping about. If anything they themselves are the hype pushers with the supposed issues with 35VN.

We're continuing to monitor 35VN and it's performance. Like with any steel there will be mixed results based on a variety of factors, HT being one of them.

As to the hardness we're running on the 0550's, the first batch's will run out at 58-60 Rc. We'll have to see about future batch's.
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While I would agree that such "issues" are the user's imagination(such as the brittleness of ZDP) in most cases, watching the videos at full length where one can observe the "work" being done from start to finish and see the resulting damage to the edge is a bit hard to argue with. And as much as I hate admitting this, whether or not someone purchases a knife in a particular steel will be based on such preconceptions(the knives in this steel aren't cheap). It was one reason why I avoided ZDP-189 after I chipped my Endura before coming upon the realization that it suffered no worse damage than I've seen on CPM-154.

Still, I would certainly agree that this seems like a rather small amount of "bad examples" given the more widespread releases in the steel(Spyderco Mule, Native, Microtech Select Fire, Rick Hinderer XM-18/24, Three Sisters Beast and Tactical Folder, and various customs). But I suppose the real test will be when production use ramps up in the Rc 58-60 range.

Kinda wish Phil Wilson was around here to comment:D.
 
xuli0009 said:
I noticed in the Production Schedule thread that some upcoming knives are being made out of 3V and S35VN. Assuming that you had two (nearly) identical knives, one made from each steel,（e.g. ZT 0100 VS Chris Reeve Knives Green Beret Knife CPM S35-VN), what would you expect the performance difference to be? Is S35VN more corrosion resistant? (I notice it's being used in some kitchen knives later in the year.)
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Not much talk about cpm3v in this thread :D
 
Neo said:
Not much talk about cpm3v in this thread :D
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True.

I love 3V. It is my all around favorite steel for fixed blades. Nothing else compares in all around performance. It’s very tough and plenty rust resistant.

I like S30V just fine. It is a great steel for folders. It’s very rust resistant and plenty tough.

Knife makers hate S30V for one reason, it is a b**ch to work with. They love the results though.

S35VN was formulated to solve the knife makers problems with S30V. It was not formulated to improve upon the performance of S30V. It is a matter of money, (for makers), not a matter of “improvement”, (for us).

I find Durateck 20CV to be a real improvement over S30V. I would choose it over any current stainless steel right now.
 
bearcut said:
True.

I love 3V. It is my all around favorite steel for fixed blades. Nothing else compares in all around performance. It’s very tough and plenty rust resistant.

I like S30V just fine. It is a great steel for folders. It’s very rust resistant and plenty tough.

Knife makers hate S30V for one reason, it is a b**ch to work with. They love the results though.

S35VN was formulated to solve the knife makers problems with S30V. It was not formulated to improve upon the performance of S30V. It is a matter of money, (for makers), not a matter of “improvement”, (for us).

I find Duratech 20CV to be a real improvement over S30V. I would choose it over any current stainless steel right now.
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You are absolutely right on about the S35VN bologna we were fed. Makers get an easy time of it's great benefits "to them" while users need S30V whether they know it or not. S30V is an outstanding steel for consumers. :thumbup:
 
bearcut said:
S35VN was formulated to solve the knife makers problems with S30V. It was not formulated to improve upon the performance of S30V. It is a matter of money, (for makers), not a matter of “improvement”, (for us).
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Is this your opinion, or do you have some facts to back up your statement?
 
cziv said:
You are absolutely right on about the S35VN bologna we were fed. Makers get an easy time of it's great benefits "to them" while users need S30V whether they know it or not. S30V is an outstanding steel for consumers. :thumbup:
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The jury is still out on S35VN, after a lot more testing and knives in peoples hands we all will have a better idea of what it really is and what it will and not do.

It is a good steel with about the same performance as S30V from my testing.

I wouldn't want a butter blade in it though unless I was just opening bags of chips, same with S30V for that matter.
 
Ankerson said:
The jury is still out on S35VN, after a lot more testing and knives in peoples hands we all will have a better idea of what it really is and what it will and not do.

It is a good steel with about the same performance as S30V from my testing.

I wouldn't want a butter blade in it though unless I was just opening bags of chips, same with S30V for that matter.
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Apparently you have changed your mind on this steel? This is not what I was reading a week ago. My opinion is unchanged. Greater HRC numbers are what I'm hoping for or just scrap the stuff quietly and move on.
 
cziv said:
Apparently you have changed your mind on this steel? This is not what I was reading a week ago. My opinion is unchanged. Greater HRC numbers are what I'm hoping for or just scrap the stuff quietly and move on.
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That was what I have always said, after testing the Mules before (2), that it gave about the same perfomasnce in edge retention.

The Native 5 did very well in my testing also.

I still like ELMAX better though.
 
Okay Jim, whatever? :confused:

Thomas W said:
Perhaps I'm out of touch, but am curious, who's all these folks feeding 35VN bologna?
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No baloney from Kershaw Thomas but you know, I'm certain, what Crucible, members in & others outside of BF have written about the qualities of S35VN and where the benefits lie. It doesn't take much to put the pieces of the puzzle together. I don't want to have to argue with you as I respect you too much and I would just have to waste the time and put the evidence together to make a case for what I've posted. I'd prefer to drop this here plz?
 
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Thomas W said:
Is this your opinion, or do you have some facts to back up your statement?
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After watching a guy hammer a ZT 0301 through a metal bolt, I don't think toughness was ever an issue with S30V unless you're looking to make a stainless machete out of it(hint hint;)). However, I feel those of us who don't have diamond sharpeners and power tools will appreciate slightly easier sharpening.
 
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CrimsonTideShooter said:
Hey Reeek,

Thomas is sending me one of those 0550s to test out. I have a feeling that if it doesn't perform well, then Kershaw will let you switch it out for one of the newer ones that they are treating harder (61-62). Of course, this is just conjecture on my part but I'm quite sure they'd make you happy somehow.
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Conjecture indeed. plus I've never posted about us running 35VN at 61-62 Rc.
 
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