CPM 20CV?

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mmyron1

Joined
Jan 14, 2007
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So I want to get a Benchmade Griptilian 551-1 for a decent price. The only thing holding me back is the 20CV steel. Never tried it. How is it to sharpen compared to my normal S30V? Is it as big a beast as people say?
 
mmyron1 said:
So I want to get a Benchmade Griptilian 551-1 for a decent price. The only thing holding me back is the 20CV steel. Never tried it. How is it to sharpen compared to my normal S30V? Is it as big a beast as people say?
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I don't think that's something that should hold you back, The differences on paper may be large but in reality it's not more difficult to sharpen than Benchmade S30v, I think you'll enjoy Benchmade 20cv.

Temper your expectations,
Whether it cuts circles around S30v in reality depends more on "how and what" you use it for and how you sharpen it more than anything.


For me anecdotally, I thought it sharpened nicely and it got a little more bite at the edge thanks to the extra carbide volume.

Now prepare to be bombarded with posts dumping endless charts and literature about the vast differences and material science properties of S30v and 20cv haha.
 
In reality, they take about the same effort to sharpen, but I could swear Benchmade's 20CV is slightly easier to sharpen than their S30V. The 20CV also holds an edge longer than S30V, and with proper maintenance like stropping, you'll go longer between sharpenings. I'd say 20CV is well worth the upgrade.
 
Thanks. I've had mixed responses from people. If it isn't much different to sharpen than S30V then I think it will be a good $150 well spent.
 
I don't have benchmade s30v knives But do have a 551-1. After unsuccessfully moving it LNIB for cheap I went ahead sharpen it. It took a bit more time to sharpen than my s30v spyderco PM2 or Military. Have not used it much so I can't tell much about its edge holding as compared to s30v.
 
I found my Spyderco Mule in 20 CV easier to hone than my knives in S30V, but that thin high grind may have something to do with that. Great steel IMHO.
 
Silent H said:
In reality, they take about the same effort to sharpen, but I could swear Benchmade's 20CV is slightly easier to sharpen than their S30V. The 20CV also holds an edge longer than S30V, and with proper maintenance like stropping, you'll go longer between sharpenings. I'd say 20CV is well worth the upgrade.
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I agree with this. I have sharpened quite a few benchmades and with my setup (KME) 20CV is no harder... And sometimes easier.
 
20cv isn't bad to sharpen at all. The key is not letting any of the high wear steels get too dull in the first place. If you do, you will probably be working for a while to get your apex back. I just touch up my knives every once in a while (few swipes on a spyderco medium or fine) and they're good to go.

Now s90v...THAT steel can be a PITA.
 
mmyron1 said:
So I want to get a Benchmade Griptilian 551-1 for a decent price. The only thing holding me back is the 20CV steel. Never tried it. How is it to sharpen compared to my normal S30V? Is it as big a beast as people say?
Click to expand...
DeadboxHero said:
I don't think that's something that should hold you back, The differences on paper may be large but in reality it's not more difficult to sharpen than Benchmade S30v, I think you'll enjoy Benchmade 20cv.

Temper your expectations,
Whether it cuts circles around S30v in reality depends more on "how and what" you use it for and how you sharpen it more than anything.


For me anecdotally, I thought it sharpened nicely and it got a little more bite at the edge thanks to the extra carbide volume.

Now prepare to be bombarded with posts dumping endless charts and literature about the vast differences and material science properties of S30v and 20cv haha.
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That's the guy to listen to.
 
Thanks. Think I will grab it while I can. I just didn't want to go and get a new sharpening system for just one knife. I mean I use the sharpener for all my EDC blades which I intend for this to be.
 
I haven't noticed much of a difference between S30V and M390 (almost identical to 20CV) when it comes to sharpening. Reprofiling the factory edge angle took longer though.
 
I can't speak to the sharpening aspect, because I haven't sharpened anything in S30V and haven't had to do anything but lightly strop my Vector 496 in 20CV since I got it over a year ago. It is still a lightsaber, though I don't use it heavily.
 
tokerblue said:
I haven't noticed much of a difference between S30V and M390 (almost identical to 20CV) when it comes to sharpening. Reprofiling the factory edge angle took longer though.
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I tried reprofiling something in M390 and ended up sending it to a professional because it was taking too long to do by hand.
 
Keeping 20cv sharp compared to s30v is about the same for me on a wicked edge pro.

20cv was a pain in the ass to reprofile though.
 
Boombats said:
I tried reprofiling something in M390 and ended up sending it to a professional because it was taking too long to do by hand.
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Srtr said:
Keeping 20cv sharp compared to s30v is about the same for me on a wicked edge pro.

20cv was a pain in the ass to reprofile though.
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I'm also using the Wicked Edge. I don't have any new knives that need a reprofile, but I bought the 50/80 stones just for that occasion.
 
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