3V:Why aren't more companies using it?

J

J.Davey

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Feb 10, 2004
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Why aren't more companies using 3V on their fixed blades? I'm sure the price is comparable to S30V in price. For instance, the Becker BK7 in S30V. I would have much preferred it in 3V. Just wondering what your opinions are.
 
I'd love to see more done with 3V as well, but I think it is tough to work and isn't stainless so those might be issues. Spyderco allegedly has one in the pipeline though.

Jack
 
FYI, we are using 3V in our Zero Tolerance, Ken Onion designed fixed blade, model 0100. Should be shipping this month. 3V is production challenging to be sure.
 
Next to last knife I acquired was Bailey Bradshaw's personal Competition Cutter in CPM3V,talked to a couple guys who used it at Bill Moran's school in AR,they were practicing rope cuts for their upcoming smith testing and verify it is a cutting beast.Bail said it just chewed 2 X 4's,he also said when forging,it barely moved under the press.

Kudo's to Kershaw for using it in their Ken Onion,Zero Tolerance fixed blades.:thumbup: :cool:

Doug:)
 
I have 4 of the knives from Fehrman Tool and Die company and they are all made of 3V. They are some of the sharpest "as received" knives I have ever gotten and they are good people to do business with. Check them out:

http://www.fehrmanknives.com/knives.htm
:thumbup:

If you want to see how some of their blades were tested then go to this link and scroll down to the fingernails. That 3V is some tough stuff!

http://www.survival.com/html/hood_hunter.html

Here is the 4 that I have...note that the larger handled knives are shock proofed with a rubber insert between the scale and the tang.:

fahrmanquad.jpg
 
I guess to answer you question as to why more companies don't use it. I suppose because it is kind of hard on the machines and grinders, it can't be differentially hardened, and its not a stainless steel, but if you keep them clean and lubed then not being stainless is not a problem to me.

Ciao
Ron
;)
 
There are lots of reasons why more companies don't use 3V. It is hard on belts and grinding wheels, it isn't stainless and it is pretty expensive.
 
I have three designs planned for production that will be using 3V, two fixed blades and one folder. I based my choice of steel on edge holding and toughness. 3V charpies at about 2/3 of S7 and over double S30V. Because of the use and the function of these blades I felt that bringing your largest tool out of the wilderness in one piece was every bit as important as how well it performed in cutting. It will sharpen a little more easily than S30V. There is a 10 inch and a 7 inch blade planned. It will require a little more care and it will probably stain from natural occurring nitrates. It will record its use with its stain pattern...Take Care...Ed
 
I have made 3 blades from 3v and it is rough on belts and is not a cheap steel.
 
Walt2 said:
it is rough on belts and is not a cheap steel.
Click to expand...

That's the thing about steels we want, be it CPM3V, CPM S90V, or good ol M2 - if it didn't drive you knifemakers insane, it wouldn't be any fun. :D
 
Thom, the official pot-stirrer! :D

I love 3V. Excellent edge holding, I haven't had the chance to test toughness yet. I wish it weren't a pain to make, but it sure is a great steel to use!
 
Ed Schempp said:
I have three designs planned for production that will be using 3V, two fixed blades and one folder. Ed
Click to expand...

Can you give any details on the folder, Ed?

Jack
 
Sal asked me to design a folder that would be extremely strong. This "Tuff" folder is planned with heavy titanium scales with a compressor frame lock. This piece will have an unusual geometry incorporated in the blade to with stand alot more torsion and prying, and a larger stronger pivot....Thanks,Take Care...Ed
 
I will attest to the cost in steel and in wear. I had a custom made and it was about twice the cost in 3v as a2. Not sure if it would've been worth it, but I look forward to the kershaw knife coming out. Fehrmans seem to be the most inexpensive so far that use 3V (FWIW the custom was 210 in A2, 400 in 3v!!!)
 
Ed,

Sounds very interesting. Could you give some info on the other 2 models--like are they fixed blade?

Also, do you recommend HT according to Crucibles spec sheet or are you tweaking it a bit?

Thanks,

John
 
I've seen the comparisons of 3V to other steels and I'm very interested in it. I would also like to see more knives with this steel. As to cost, who cares. I'm a knife fan and will gladly pay more for them.

cliff
 
The price really isn't that high to other steels knifemakers are working with, see for example :

http://www.alphaknifesupply.com/bladesteel.htm

The grindability is actually higher than D2 in the annealed condition. Note while the impact toughness looks very favorable when cited by Crucible, there are *many* ways to measure toughness. Crucible for example lists S7 as having about 2.5 times the toughness of A2, however Bryson notes S7 is 15 times as tough as A2.

-Cliff
 
Just bought a bunch of it from AKS. I hope it isn't as difficult to work as many say it is and that I can cut large pieces with my bandsaw without tearing up too many bimetal blades.
 
I guess I should point out the reason that I raised this topic. I owned a Fehrman Final Judgement (of 3V). I used it, I loved it, and it was WAY more stain-resistant than the CarbonV CS knives I had owned up until that point. Even after use, it still looked (and performed) like new, according to the buyer (sorry, I'm writing this on the fly, so I can't look up who bought it from me at the moment). Honestly, the only reason I sold the knife, truly, was because I was strapped for cash at the time (just broke up with my Fiance'....blah, blah, blah). Also, I have smallish hands, so I think that if Fehrman slimmed the width of the handle by a 1/4 inch, it would suit everyone (the handles are beefy). Regardless, I love 3V, and I want to see it on some production blades! Is it any harder to work than S30V??? No, seriously, if anyone knows, let us know! Boy, I wish Jerry Hossom could jump in here!:D
 
After checking out Cliff's link, it doesn't seem like 3V is that expensive at all! Compare it's price to production standby's like 154CM (and I think we could all agree that 3V...with proper heat-treat...is superior for a fixed blade)!
 
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