A2 Tool steel standard, or CPM S30V

[lorise]

Salute.
A2 Tool steel standard, or CPM S30V
What do you figure are the pros and cons of these steel types?
And wich one would you prefer for your favorite knife?

 

[fanklyit]

My opinion- I would take A2 over s30v for these reasons.
1) tougher and greater strength
2) will hold and edge quite well, not to s30v standards but close
3) I have not had any chip out like s30v
4)It may not be as corrosion resistant but it does fairly well.

These are my opinions. Also the A2 has to be heat treated right.

 

[mete]

S30V also has to be HT'd right otherwise you get 'chip out" !!!!!!

 

[fanklyit]

True Spyderco seem to do it right, but I have had others that don't.

 

[flatgrinder]

A2 anyday of the week. I personally don't like S30V -seems overhyped. A2 takes a better edge and edge retention is quite similar.

 

[Cliff Stamp]

What would you want the knife to do well?

-Cliff

 

[okbohn]

I have a number of Bark River Knives in A2 and love them. I only have one s30v I prefer the A2 because it is much easier to keep sharp, but maintains a great edge. That is my .02

 

[HoB]

S30V is a stainless with very high abrasion resistance. If treated well it will hold an edge for a long time on abrasive materials.

A2 is not stainless. It is significantly tougher and less abrasion resistant than S30V. It is also finer grained and will take both because of grainsize and carbide volume a finer edge than S30V.

Which pretty much answers your question, what steel in which knife.