Anyone dislike S30V?

Razor said:
I think it is way over ratted.
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Based on what? I think that most people here don't actually cut enough at one time to really appreciate how S30V performs. Most make a few cuts, see the fine edge go fairly quickly, and then form the opinion that it's over rated. It holds a REALLY sharp working edge for a long, long, long time.

[video=youtube;gmH2RqwqhlM]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gmH2RqwqhlM[/video]
 
Depends who's S30V your talking about.
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correct :thumbup:
can't agree more with a statement!
every company has it's own HT and idea of hardness to reach
I believe that S30V is pretty sensible on HT's, more tan other steels, hence all these different opinions

newknife said:
Who do you think does S30V good, and who do you think does it bad? I only have experience with Sypderco and Buck.
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I have used, tried, sharpened a few S30V's including spyderco, KAI, CRK, Fantoni, Benchmade

I'm sorry to say it (MY opinion of course) but I had a bad experience with Spydercos's USA heat treated S30V, it has been pretty tough but edge holding wasn't great (polished stropped edge) and the gummy burr was a pain to get rid of, others have an easier to remove burr
Kershaw's/Kai's S30V surprised me, not so fast to sharpen but holds the edge pretty long, BM's is little far behind but is a little bit easier to mantain (little difference, mostly when sharpening)
CRK's S30v is easy to maintain and holds well, precise geometry helps a lot and it's something less than BMs in edge holding (due to different hardness I believe 58-59 vs 60+-)
Fantoni's S30V should be one of the best regarding edge holding, being 61-62 HRC, haven't sharpened it enough yet to give an opinion but, it works well

my opinions are personal AND come from real use in a good amount of time, over more than one model/knife from each manufacturer
everyone has a different feeling so impressions can vary
Maxx
 
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I love s30v.
One of my favorite steels.
It gets scary sharp, holds its edge awesomely.
If you put a polished edge on it, it holds its edge longer and stays shaving sharp for a long time.

Put a good s30v knife through its paces and I'm sure you'll like it to.
 
I dislike the fact that many people don't recognize this steel "as stainless" S30V!
I dislike the fact that It's overpriced and brittle like glass" S30V!
I dislike the fact S35V AIN'T an Improvement forse, is the same thing S30V" for twisted marketing$$$$!

Some of those comments are made by people that are the reason why I drink.
 
I really like S30V on knives. It's certainly not a super steel in regards to edge retention. Every knife will dull if you use it long enough. That being said, S30V is no slouch and can hold it's own in edge retention.

Also, I don't find that it's more difficult to sharpen than other steels. With the right equipment and technique, it can get plenty sharp
 
I like it. Obviously I am less learned than some of the high tech testers on this thread, but my impressions from using S30V from various makers places it, in my opinion, a little better than 154CM, and on a par with VG-10 depending on what characteristics are most important to you. I use a Sharpmaker, and use fine and ultra fine rods and finish with leather, and have had no issues with getting a shaving edge back on my S30V knives from Spyderco and BenchMade
For perspective, my favorite steels are VG-10, S30V, S90V, ZDP-189, ELMAX, Infi - not necessarily in that order (obviously). Don't own any of the Carpenter variants, but understand they are very good, maybe a shade better …

So to answer the OP's actual question: No, I do not dislike S30V.

~ Edge
 
Mad_Maxx said:
correct :thumbup:
can't agree more with a statement!
every company has it's own HT and idea of hardness to reach
I believe that S30V is pretty sensible on HT's, more tan other steels, hence all these different opinions



I have used, tried, sharpened a few S30V's including spyderco, KAI, CRK, Fantoni, Benchmade

I'm sorry to say it (MY opinion of course) but I had a bad experience with Spydercos's USA heat treated S30V, it has been pretty tough but edge holding wasn't great (polished stropped edge) and the gummy burr was a pain to get rid of, others have an easier to remove burr
Kershaw's/Kai's S30V surprised me,
not so fast to sharpen but holds the
edge pretty long, BM's is little far
behind but is a little bit easier to
mantain (little difference, mostly when
sharpening)

CRK's S30v is easy to maintain and holds well, precise
geometry helps a lot and it's
something less than BMs in edge







holding (due to different hardness I believe 58-59 vs 60+-)












Fantoni's S30V should be one of the best regarding edge holding, being 61-62 HRC, haven't sharpened it enough yet to give an opinion but, it
works well

my opinions are personal AND come from real
use in a good amount of time, over more than
one model/knife from each manufacturer







everyone has a different feeling so impressions can vary
Maxx[/QUOTE

Can I ask what kershaw/kai models you have used ? And if you have used zero tolerance's
S30V if so what are your thoughts on it ?
Also what type of thing did you cut ?
Thanks for your time !

Frank
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i bothered to read all of the posts and from what i gather:

it's one of the best steels in use today, and it will probably be around for some time. first, everyone agrees it outperforms 154cm, vg-10, aus8, ats55, 440c, 420hc, etc. these are all excellent steels and some have been in production for more than 10 years.

second, it's hard to sharpen. welcome to the world of supersteels. a lot of edges are now harder than bastard files so the art of sharpening is fast becoming a hard science. i dread the day when blade-mounted sharpening systems will become the "glock" of knife maintenance while free-handing will be akin to the "traditionalist" revolver segment. fortunately, people in this forum continually demonstrate how they are able to free-hand CPM m4 or zdp 189 and come out with hair-whittling edges. so freehanding is right there along with the latest steels. heck, gemologists free-hand diamonds so its not a dying art. any edge that can be sharpened with carborundum and soft smooth water stones are considered easy to sharpen. the s30v belongs in that class.
 
s30v has been a great for me! 154cm is also a winner in my book.

Truth is I could get away with using 8cr13mov in my edc daily tasks no problem, and so could most people on this forum.
 
There isn’t anything wrong with it, it gets sharp without much frustration and has decent edge retention. Its no longer a super steel its become a work horse steel and does a good job at it.
 
newknife said:
That's what I've been coming to realize. I have a few Buck Vantages. I have the Sandvic 13c26 and the one in S30V and I'm finding I like the Sandvic better. I know your supposed to have to sharpen the Sandvic more frequently, but it takes a razor edge with more ease (so I'm told). I just know the Sandvic came razor sharp and the S30V did not. I'm sure you can get the S30V razor sharp as well, I've just read it takes more work and like someone else said, it doesn't hold it that well.
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my Buck Paradigm Pro came razor sharp, it was the sharpest knife I ever received from the factory. not only would it shave hair but would take all the hair off my arm in one swip. I am very happy and feel my Buck S30V outperforms my Spyderco S30V (PM2). it seem to hold an edge better. Buck's heat treating is done by the best Paul Bos. So, far I like their S30v the best.
 
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hank_rearden said:
i bothered to read all of the posts and from what i gather:

it's one of the best steels in use today, and it will probably be around for some time. first, everyone agrees it outperforms 154cm, vg-10, aus8, ats55, 440c, 420hc, etc. these are all excellent steels and some have been in production for more than 10 years.

second, it's hard to sharpen. welcome to the world of supersteels. a lot of edges are now harder than bastard files so the art of sharpening is fast becoming a hard science. i dread the day when blade-mounted sharpening systems will become the "glock" of knife maintenance while free-handing will be akin to the "traditionalist" revolver segment. fortunately, people in this forum continually demonstrate how they are able to free-hand CPM m4 or zdp 189 and come out with hair-whittling edges. so freehanding is right there along with the latest steels. heck, gemologists free-hand diamonds so its not a dying art. any edge that can be sharpened with carborundum and soft smooth water stones are considered easy to sharpen. the s30v belongs in that class.
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If you use a diamon sharpener, you wont have any problems sharpening S30V
 
hank_rearden said:
i bothered to read all of the posts and from what i gather:

it's one of the best steels in use today, and it will probably be around for some time. first, everyone agrees it outperforms 154cm, vg-10, aus8, ats55, 440c, 420hc, etc. these are all excellent steels and some have been in production for more than 10 years.

second, it's hard to sharpen. welcome to the world of supersteels. a lot of edges are now harder than bastard files so the art of sharpening is fast becoming a hard science. i dread the day when blade-mounted sharpening systems will become the "glock" of knife maintenance while free-handing will be akin to the "traditionalist" revolver segment. fortunately, people in this forum continually demonstrate how they are able to free-hand CPM m4 or zdp 189 and come out with hair-whittling edges. so freehanding is right there along with the latest steels. heck, gemologists free-hand diamonds so its not a dying art. any edge that can be sharpened with carborundum and soft smooth water stones are considered easy to sharpen. the s30v belongs in that class.
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The trick to using the high wear steels is two things.

1) Don't let them get really dull before touching them up.

2) Once the bevel is established correctly #1 is easy.
 
I have 2 spyderco woodcraft mules in S30V. One I have stropped to a polished edge, the other I just left after the fine diamond sharpener. The polished edge seems to have lost it's hair popping nature really quickly, while the other one feels just as sharpo as it was before. They now feel about the same level of sharpness. This was using the same factory angles, so I'll have to experiment with different angles. I have a Ackermann Serratta which is investment cast 440C. It cuts like a buzz saw seemingly forever if you don't strop/polish the edge. It loses a polished edge very quickly. The grain structure seems to suit having micro serrations.
 
CrimsonTideShooter said:
I think that most people here don't actually cut enough at one time to really appreciate how S30V performs. Most make a few cuts, see the fine edge go fairly quickly, and then form the opinion that it's over rated. It holds a REALLY sharp working edge for a long, long, long time.
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+1, I agree.


I have two fixed blade knives in S30V, one at 59Rc, the other 61Rc;

... both hold a working edge 'till the cows come home for butchering. :eek:


The only other Stainless that I've tested that comes close is CTS-XHP.


In my opinion, S35VN is a step down in edge retention when compared to S30V.





Big Mike
 
I like S30V other than the fact that I seem to get unlucky when it comes to edge stability. My PPT, Sage, and Ritter Grip all have had micro chipping issues, but that could be a product of the the 30 degree inclusive edges and the thin grinds.
 
Late entry on this thread - I am not a fan. I have always had trouble getting and maintaining an edge. I have one S30V and won’t get another. I avoid it like the plague. The alternative S35VN in the same knife options is much preferred for me.
 
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