Case Knives: CV vs SS

Lenny

Lenny

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Oct 15, 1998
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So, what's the deal with these 2 steels that Case uses?
Haven't owned a Case in quite a while and I'd like to buy a user.
Conventional wisdom says to buy the non-SS CV steel.
But there's a better choice of handle materials in the SS bladed knives.
Does the SS come close to the CV as far as ability to take an edge, ability to hold an edge,
ease of sharpening, etc?
Thanks all,
Lenny
 
The TruSharp stainless doesn't hold an edge quite as well as their CV carbon steel, but it's about as easy to sharpen and takes a very nice edge. There's really nothing at all wrong with their ss models. The CV models just sacrifice corrosion resistance for a slight boost in edge retention. That's my experience at least. I EDC an ss Bermuda green swayback jack and have found its edge retention to more than good enough for my usage. :)
 
TruSharp is perfectly servicable steel. CV has a cult following is all and Case makes too few offerings in CV IMO.
 
honestly in my opinion and your mileage may vary but CV edges out the trusharp by a hair because i personally ive had better luck sharpening my CV knives, but the main reason i simply CV shows character over years of use, patinas etc.
So yeah it comes down to a personal preference on looks, i prefer CV but doesnt keep me from buying or using the Truesharp
regards
gene
 
The CV is a better steel, just not stainless. My CV's will hold an edge longer, and is more easy to sharpen. Been buying them since the 70's, and have always found that to be the case.
 
The stainless is pretty similar to 420HC, I think. The CV is some 1095 with added chrome and vanadium.

I own a couple of knives with both steels. CV holds the edge very well, the SS is not as good as the CV (IMHO). The patina the CV takes is nice. Both can be sharpened easily. Take a pretty fine and durable edge.

Hope this could help a little :)

Kind regards
 
I have and use both. It's easy enough to keep a good working edge in either.

jwh
 
Humppa said:
The stainless is pretty similar to 420HC, I think. The CV is some 1095 with added chrome and vanadium.

I own a couple of knives with both steels. CV holds the edge very well, the SS is not as good as the CV (IMHO). The patina the CV takes is nice. Both can be sharpened easily. Take a pretty fine and durable edge.

Hope this could help a little :)

Kind regards
Click to expand...
That's because they are. Trusharp is 420hc and CV is 1095 Cro-Van.
 
Thanks all.
Think I'll stick to the CV blades.
I do like a nice patina!
Lenny
 
Lenny said:
... there's a better choice of handle materials in the SS bladed knives.
Click to expand...

True, of course. But there are a lot more Case knives with CV steel blades than there used to be. Personally, I've carried both and -- while I prefer the CV -- it's mainly for reasons of tradition and aesthetics. I just dig the way a blade with a patina looks. But I'd not hesitate one bit to carry and use a Case SS knife.
 
i try to avoid cv and carbon blades primarily because of patina; always have hated the look of patina staining on blades...yes, carbon blades make for a keener edge, but come on; stainless gets sharp enough to do any job...and i don't have or want to develop sharpening as a hobby...
 
It's worth noting that carbon steel is also more prone towards slight dulling through edge oxidation. That's only going to matter for the folks that keep their blades scalpel sharp, but it is a factor.
 
I recently purchased a few Case knives in both steels, sadly they all came with rough pretty dull edges. I easily got them each very sharp with about 3-5 minutes per blade on my Spyderco Sharpmaker, now they’re great.

Just be aware of that
 
knarfeng said:
Case no longer uses CV. Their non-stainless blades are 1095 carbon steel.
Click to expand...
Does this mean if I recently purchased a Case that still says “CV” On the blade that it’s an older knife, before the switch that might’ve just been sitting on the shelf of the dealer? Is there a designation on the blades for 1095 since the switch so I would know the difference?

Also, thanks for letting us know about that!
 
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