Case blade steel

H

hobnob

Joined
Dec 18, 2009
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Just recently started rekindling my interest in Traditional pocket knives. Reading through the forums, it seems like the majority of folks seem to prefer CV over SS. Tried a search to compare the two steels with no luck. From what I've read is that CV is easier to sharpen and has better edge holding. I'm curious as to what others have experienced. Looking forward to the journey.
 
I'm curious to hear what others say about their experience in this regard. I really haven't noticed a significant difference between the two Case steels, either cutting or sharpening, so I mostly prefer stainless. Come warmer weather, I mostly put my carbon knives away for the summer, although the CV is not as prone to rust as some other carbon knives that I have. I speculate that the mirror polish makes a difference.
 
use your web browser to search 'Case trusharp vs CV bladeforums'. it will bring up several threads with lots of info.
 
Case's CV steel, which they characterize as a 'modified 1095', is straightforward and easier to initially figure out, for the sake of sharpening. Their stainless 'Tru-Sharp', a.k.a., 420HC, takes a little time to figure it out, in terms of handling the burrs. But once that all 'clicks', it becomes very easy to get along with.

Both steels can take amazingly fine edges, using nothing other than a Fine India to maintain them along the way. And both will respond very nicely, following the Fine India with a few very light passes on a medium Spyderco ceramic. This is how I maintain most of mine, in both steels.

Case has said on their own forum that CV is heat-treated a couple points harder than the Tru-Sharp stainless. They publish their stainless' hardness at HRC 55-57. So, that would imply the CV is hardened to the HRC 57-59 ballpark, which is nearly perfect for such a steel. Takes a great edge and holds it well. Both steels are at their slicing best at fairly acute edge angles. I sharpen mine to the 25°-30° inclusive range.
 
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I second the other observations. I have probably more Case knives than any other brand. In practical use I can’t tell much difference between the two in sharpness or ease of maintenance. The Tru-sharp does tend to curl on one side during sharpening depending on how heavy-handed you are on the stone, but that is easily remedied by stropping on cardboard or a legal pad to straighten the edge back out. As I have gotten comfortably into middle age, I have come to appreciate stainless more than the CV. Can you imagine if in 2021 there had never been stainless steel and Case brings out Tru-sharp? We would be falling all over ourselves to get one!
 
I have a couple older case knives with CV. That stuff get scary sharp. With just a few passes on my 1000 grit stone it will pop hair no problem. No clue on the true sharp tho. Don’t have any of those. Yet.....
 
Case CV from what I can recall is a modified 1095 with the addition of Vanadium as the main point to it. I have found Case knives regardless of SS vs CV to just be run too soft. I will also note that CV is a carbon steel and more prone to rust/corrosion than their SS so if you prefer the corrosion resistance of a SS then their CV won't be for you.
 
I enjoy my super steels as much as the next guy but I really like Case CV. It takes a very fine edge and even after working it hard it can strop up really well. Plus I enjoy the patina it takes on. I live in the south and don't have issues with rust personally.

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They are equivalent except CV rusts and gets a patina and Trusharp does not. "Don't carry no ugly knife." :)
 
Thanks all for responding. I have a couple of each so far and they both sharpen up easily. Haven't had them long enough to comment on edge retention. Just wanted feedback on which way to lean with future models. Looks like most of Case's lineup consist of the Tru-Sharp SS. I think I'll he happy with either, but when possible give a nod to CV.
 
They're both tried and tested steels, useful and practical for what they're supposed to do, function as a pocket-knife :) CASE knives are not ridiculously expensive or unobtanium so they provide a good standard worker often with elegance and always with pedigree whatever the steel.

My own preference is for as ground matte stainless on their knives. CV is nice once it patinas evenly-which CASE CV does. I also like some of the older CASE knives that had nickel silver liners and CV.
 
I'll basically echo what others have said... Performance wise, I personally can't tell the difference between Case's CV steel and SS. Sometimes I think I can, but I'm pretty sure that's just a bias towards CV at work. I do find their CV steel to be a little easier for me to sharpen to a really fine edge. For lack of a better word, Case's CV feels a little "gummy" to me and is harder for me to get a crisp edge as the burr likes to flop around. The difference is pretty minimal though and should basically be a non-factor as my limited sharpening skills improve.

The biggest difference between Case's CV and SS steel to me is simply the aesthetics and I much prefer the look of carbon steel as it ages.
 
Will Power said:
They're both tried and tested steels, useful and practical for what they're supposed to do, function as a pocket-knife :) CASE knives are not ridiculously expensive or unobtanium so they provide a good standard worker often with elegance and always with pedigree whatever the steel.
Click to expand...
That should be written on the back of their boxes... :cool::thumbsup:
 
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