Any folders available in 3V or M390?

gga357

gga357

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I have BM581 and BM755. I would really like to try a 3V folder and am interested in any M390 that is available. Seems most in those steels are limited runs that are gone. So if you know of any please list them here. Thanks.
 
There's a 710 in M390, and there was a limited M390 Mini Grip. A Spyderco Military in CF and M390 is coming out later next year.
 
Strider has a few in CPM-3V, haven't seen much outside of that. IMO, 3V is wasted in a folder and even in smaller fixed blades. IIRC, the selling point is impact toughness, which to me means chopping. You'd want something with a 6 inch blade or longer for that.

Spyderco is releasing several sprint runs in M390. I have the Para2 and Military on pre-order. I'd also recommend the Mule if it's still available. I believe there are a few Benchmades still floating around in that steel(AFCK, 890-111, 480-1). Aside from that, only Linder has them in fixed blades.
 
Noctis3880 said:
Strider has a few in CPM-3V, haven't seen much outside of that. IMO, 3V is wasted in a folder and even in smaller fixed blades. IIRC, the selling point is impact toughness, which to me means chopping. You'd want something with a 6 inch blade or longer for that.

Spyderco is releasing several sprint runs in M390. I have the Para2 and Military on pre-order. I'd also recommend the Mule if it's still available. I believe there are a few Benchmades still floating around in that steel(AFCK, 890-111, 480-1). Aside from that, only Linder has them in fixed blades.
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Wouldn't a thin, tough steel be nice for a folder? Probably not tops in edge holding but it might resist chipping better even when ground and beveled thin. Just my thoughts though.
 
Haven't had any chipping issues with the S30V in my super thin ground Umnumzaan or Sebenza, and most people seem to heat treat it to Rc 58 anyways. Also had no issues with CPM-M4 in my Spyderco Gayle Bradley, which I heard was Rc 62-63.

My Phil Wilson South Fork in M390 at Rc 62 has a super thin edge that I would describe as a zero edge flat grind with a microbevel. I rolled the thing cutting half inch thick cardboard.

Thus, I'm not sure if toughness is really all that important in a small pocket knife unless you intend to pry with it, though I suspect the blade geometry has more to do with that than the physical property of the steel.

As well, thin may not be best with toughness if the steel isn't hard enough to resist deformation of the edge. With a zero edge flat ground blade of 3V you might permanently warp the edge if you try to cut hardwood with it.
 
Noctis3880 said:
Haven't had any chipping issues with the S30V in my super thin ground Umnumzaan or Sebenza, and most people seem to heat treat it to Rc 58 anyways. Also had no issues with CPM-M4 in my Spyderco Gayle Bradley, which I heard was Rc 62-63.

My Phil Wilson South Fork in M390 at Rc 62 has a super thin edge that I would describe as a zero edge flat grind with a microbevel. I rolled the thing cutting half inch thick cardboard.

Thus, I'm not sure if toughness is really all that important in a small pocket knife unless you intend to pry with it, though I suspect the blade geometry has more to do with that than the physical property of the steel.

As well, thin may not be best with toughness if the steel isn't hard enough to resist deformation of the edge. With a zero edge flat ground blade of 3V you might permanently warp the edge if you try to cut hardwood with it.
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Hhhmmm good points there.
 
Toughness can't really be 'wasted' in any knife. In particular, many of the classic folders are/were made with simple carbon and low alloy steels and not hardened to a particularly high level. There's considerable toughness in that. 3V has wear resistance similar to D2, so it shouldn't be any worse off for a folder than that. Actually, I don't know how a 3V folder blade at 58 would in any way be worse than a 1075 blade at 53. The only 'waste' would be in the price of 3V in comparison.
 
M390: Benchmade 710, mini-Grip, TSEK, ACFK, maybe others...

The only 3V that leaps to mind is a very limited run of Striders earlier this year.
 
The rumor I heard was that the m390 710 is only shipping through December then it's gone. You can still grab an AFCK. I here next year will offer a para2 and military in m390.
 
I'd go for an 806 while you can before they double in price. Mine is currently with Tom Krein getting flat ground, tumbled and the portion of the clip-point that hides in the handle sharpened. I hope the thin edge wont be an issue, but I don't expect it to be. And I haven't decided if I'll use the knife regularly anyhow. I didn't plan on it as a work/utility knife with these mods. Stock, I'd expect it to handle most roles very well already though.
 
Striders in 3V are long gone. Can't find 710s or ACFKs in stock anywhere.
 
I'm not sure I can say where they are publicly, but if you want to email me go right ahead. Looks like coated is in stock, waiting period on satin. Prices aren't amazing, but they will go up. Only 400 of each. -Joe
 
I would wait on the Spydercos. They tend to push the steel harder than Benchmade does.

hardheart said:
Toughness can't really be 'wasted' in any knife. In particular, many of the classic folders are/were made with simple carbon and low alloy steels and not hardened to a particularly high level. There's considerable toughness in that. 3V has wear resistance similar to D2, so it shouldn't be any worse off for a folder than that. Actually, I don't know how a 3V folder blade at 58 would in any way be worse than a 1075 blade at 53. The only 'waste' would be in the price of 3V in comparison.
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My point being:
How tough does a folder need to be?

If your current use does not cause say, S30V to chip, why go to the extra effort to use the non-stainless CPM-3V for more toughness when inadequate toughness was never the issue? And I did remember hearing one knifemaker had bent his blade of Elmax to a 90 degree angle without breaking it, so I'm more than certain that stainless steels these days are more than tough enough for whatever I can reasonably throw at it. I'm just of the opinion that 3V is tough to the point of being excessive where it is of no use. Sort of like using a full size katana to cut your cantaloupe in half because your paring knife isn't long enough for the job.
 
Siggyhk said:
I'm not sure I can say where they are publicly, but if you want to email me go right ahead. Looks like coated is in stock, waiting period on satin. Prices aren't amazing, but they will go up. Only 400 of each. -Joe
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Thanks for the email I am in persuite of both 710 and 806 in M390.

What does everyone think of CPM-M4?
 
singularity35 said:
Wouldn't a thin, tough steel be nice for a folder? Probably not tops in edge holding but it might resist chipping better even when ground and beveled thin. Just my thoughts though.
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CPM 3V works just about perfect for thin, cutting optimized knives, taken to max hardness 62-63HRC. I guess because most of the "tough" knives are on softer side because of their size and other reasons(valid or not), lots of people think tough steel necessarily means 55HRC, which isn't always the case.
 
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