Cold steel to use s35vn more and XHP less

I like the way Cold Steel does their Xhp, it has amazing edge retention. A couple months ago I sharpened a Cold Steel in Xhp and a Fiddleback production model in S35vn back to back. Xhp took more effort and was substantially “toothier” until I stropped at 6k grit.
I find Xhp to hold an edge longer but I’ll give the nod to S35vn in corrosion resistance and a slight edge in toughness. Both my Recon 1 and American Lawman had a few chips in the factory edge from light use. Either way, Cold Steel provides consumers with a great heat treat.
 
I have Recon 1’s in both and prefer S35VN slightly. Only because it seems easier to sharpen. Not a huge difference in performance IMO. Both are solid steels though.

I wouldn’t avoid a CS design I wanted because it was S35VN vs XHP. Even BD1 is a good steel and I have no problem buying if it is properly priced.

Not a big deal for me.
 
I like S35VN, but really have grown to love CTS-XHP. I thought their regular use of it really set them apart from other brands.
 
I’m wait and see. Can anyone comment on their s35 cold steel knives like sr1 vs cts xhp??
Generally I find my cts xhp perform better than s35 which seems to match Cedricada rope test comparison.
I don’t think I would not buy a knife if it was s35. Ahem, 3 max , 5 max , 6 max , 7 max. Do it seriously do it.
 
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I really like the XHP on my Code 4. I have no actual experience with S35VN but Cedric & Ada's tests have made me rather wary of it...
 
Guess they know their steels.
So They can change all they want,
Just as long as there is a price revision at the end
with a more friendlier down to earth figure to show for.
Just my 2 cents....
 
they need to keep xhp. I'm never going to buy one otherwise. xhp is just better.

xhp is cheaper. I just can't believe there is not enough supply.
 
I hope this isn't a sign that CTS-XHP itself is being slowly phased out. Just because there's CTS-204P now doesn't mean everyone wants it. I personally favour a steel that holds its edge like crazy, but can be re-sharpened on whetstones (especially out in the field) without risk of carbide tear-out. To me, CTS-XHP is as close to a perfect pocket-knife steel as anything gets.
 
One positive note may be that novice knife people would recognize s35 as a premium steel and will consider cold steel products.
It’s a more recognizable steel name.
 
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Well that sucks.

I'm not a big fan of the move since CTS XHP is one of my favorite blade steels

I totally agree.

Doesn't really effect me though. I have all the knives I need. I won't be buying more.
(I could be lying about the latter)
 
I like both S35VN and CTS-XHP, so in terms of usability and sharpening, it really doesn't matter to me.

My big problem with this is that I'm guessing the same knife is S35VN is going to be more expensive than the same model was in CTS-XHP. That is definitely not good news and would certainly factor in to my purchase decisions.
 
I like both S35VN and CTS-XHP, so in terms of usability and sharpening, it really doesn't matter to me.

My big problem with this is that I'm guessing the same knife is S35VN is going to be more expensive than the same model was in CTS-XHP. That is definitely not good news and would certainly factor in to my purchase decisions.
Shouldn’t cost more. I hoping less :p but should be the same.
 
I’m already seeing the new s35 out in the recon series . Street price is the same as the cts xhp and also dlc coated and not satin.
 
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