Better steel for CRK's

I played the number game with the Buck 110, wanting something better than their standard 420HC (Rc = 58). I've tried numerous BG-42 Custom Shop 110's as well as S30V and CPM154. To be totally honest, there is something to be said for their basic metal. The 420HC holds an edge an appreciable fraction of the best of the others, yet re-edges on a Sharpmaker in a fraction of the time - and to a razor edge, the likes of which the others can't, at least in a reasonable amount of time, attain. I guess Buck's 420HC is their equivalent to CRK's use of S30V. I know the 110 has a long & thin edge, making it a heck of a slicer, but that Bos heat-treated 420HC in an American-made knife you can buy for $26 at WallyWorld is a classic. I guess I understand CR's use of S30V - you expect an upgrade over something like 420HC, yet you want an edge that will hold up and be easily re-edged.

Stainz
 
I have a CRK folder with a S35VN blade but I will not be testing the edge retention and subsequent sharpening of that knife anytime soon ;)

You can't argue with change when it has CR stamped in it :D
 
I find it odd that CRK feels there are people out there willing to spend around $400 on a folder but they might not be able to sharpen it if its hardened a bit more?

Surely if a dude is willing to drop that kind of dough on a pocket knife he's into knives to the point where he will have his own sharpening set-up? Even if it is just a Sharpmaker.

Come on, it seems silly to me. All that high tech knowledge and equipment to produce a knife with a blade that has a pretty average steel really.

I like S30V but it does need to be pushed a little to get some excitement out of it.
 
JNewell said:
Actually, ATS-34 is still pretty darned good steel. It just doesn't get much respect, and neither does its domestic (US) sibling, 154CM. I think S30V has a similar problem. They are the Rodney Dangerfields of the steel world
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I agree. Every so often a thread pops up asking why do _______ (insert any knife maker or company) not use ________ (newest hyped steel) rather then the older_______.

To be frank we are spoiled for choice. There is always someone trying to improve and one will never get ahead of the curve.
 
I will say this. My large micarta was getting a little on the dull side so today i sat down for a few minuted with the Sharpmaker. Boy does that Sharpmaker make sharpening my Sebenzas easy work.
 
The soft S30V is just a marketing ploy. I was so disappointed in the performance of my Mnandi in S30V that I got my next one with a damascus blade. I wish they would try some new steels so I would have an excuse to buy another.

I sharpen the S30V Mnandi @ 30 degrees and have no trouble with it (it is my most used pocket knife), but, the only other S30V knife I own, a Buck Mayo, does seem to take and hold an edge better. No science or test data, just my impression from using both.
 
I use mine everyday and it seems to hold an edge just fine. I sharpen it when needed and dont put a whole lot of thought into it past that. I think theres too much obsessing about s30v. Its a great steel. Is it the best? No. But its certainly not the worste and try and find a more beautifully made knife as a whole. Id be happy w 440c if it was put together in this manner. All imho of course
 
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