blade steel

S30V is the first steel that I know of that was made for the cutlery industry. I am not sure what 440C or 154CM were originally for, but it isn't for knives. It may have been ball bearings or some kind of metal working equiment. All have good corrosion resistance, but S30V will hold an edge longer than the others. S30V also has great impact resistance. I have cut and cut and cut with it, and it is so easy to sharpen. Also there is minimal care that is needed to keep it clean and serviceable. It is my favorite steel. Here is a link to a site with some good info on knife steel.
http://www.engnath.com/public/steel.htm
 
There have been several steels made just for knives, this doesn't really mean much outside of marketing hype. S30V has low impact resistance not high, it fractures readily and has low flexibility even when left fairly soft like Reeve runs it, the plastic deformation region is really shallow. The machinability isn't high but isn't low like S90V either, it is essentially simple not a problem or benefit in that regard. If you like ATS-34, 440C and those types of steels you will like S30V as well.

-Cliff
 
440C was originally used to make mirrors because it will take a mirror polish better than any other steel out there. It is still used to make mirrors to this day. As I recall many rest stops, air line bathrooms and even the space labs all have mirrors in them made of 440C.

As for S30V. It is another of the Premium grade steels. I had a Doug Ritter Benchmade into my shop recently for a repair and was quite impressed with the edge and apparent ability to keep it with the S30V blade. I understand that Spyderco is now using this steel in their high end knives which tells me a lot because Spyderco would not use it if it didn't meet up to the demands placed upon it.

I would say that of all the stainless steels that S30V is up there with VG10, BG42, ATS34/154CM and 440C as the best of the best. I have been very happy with some of my 154CM blades that have recieved some very heavy use and kept on cutting. FWTIW.
 
Ooops, sorry about the bad information on the impact resistance. I only was talking about my personal experience with the steel. I am not a metallurgist by any means. Just an end user. I will echo that if you like 440C and 154CM you will like S30V even more. I used to think BG42 was the greatest, but I haven't used it in a long time.
 
Good seein you here Lanny :)

If that's the worst you do it ain't too bad...
See you at the Sheepdog meet :)
Tom
 
TOB9595 said:
Good seein you here Lanny :)

If that's the worst you do it ain't too bad...
See you at the Sheepdog meet :)
Tom
Click to expand...
No doubt. I will be the bald guy with the big smile on his face. :D
 
Thanks for the info guys. I was asking the question because I have several benchmades, but none have s30v. I just ordered one of the Doug Ritter grips. So, thanks for getting in your comments STR. Makes me feel even better about my purchase.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top