CPM 3V: Is it really worth it?

Twindog said:
I haven't seen any tests on Z-Tuff, but it looks awesome -- at least for toughness, something approaching S7.

From your experience, do you have a sense of how much less wear resistance it has than 3V?
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It’s toughness is right there with s7 depending on heat treat. But way better wear resistance! It’s my favorite steel by far!
 
Cscotttsss said:
Wow, what a beautiful collection. I really want a CPK EDC someday.

Serious question, what do you use the top 3 blades for? I don't think I could ever justify a knife that big even though I'm an avid outdoorsman.
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Thanks! Although the top 3 blades look alike in pictures, they have 3 different thickness blades and proportions of weight distribution and they all feel like 3 totally different knives in hand. I guess you'd have to experience them for yourself to see. Do it, you won't regret it!
 
Echo the Nathan Carothers 3v, since getting it I've cut into heavy brush, whittled large sticks into smaller ones and haven't had to even sharpen it up, it's pretty tough and pretty thin edged too, really cuts well and the handle is a pleasure to hold, formed perfectly as this is a collaboration with @Nathan the Machinist and @Lorien Arnold, great job, get one while you can !

Nathan_EDC_ by GaryWGraley, on Flickr

Nathan_LA- by GaryWGraley, on Flickr

Nathan_Carothers_angle by GaryWGraley, on Flickr

G2
 
91bravo said:
Thanks! Although the top 3 blades look alike in pictures, they have 3 different thickness blades and proportions of weight distribution and they all feel like 3 totally different knives in hand. I guess you'd have to experience them for yourself to see. Do it, you won't regret it!
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Gotcha, so what do you use them for?
 
I think 5160 is tougher when it comes to lateral loads, right? I’ve had slight edge rolling on using 5160 when I chopped into hard woods at the wrong angle. The edges don’t seem to have quite the stability of 3V, but I’ve never had any customs in 5160, so the heat treat could definitely be one reason for my experience.
 
Currawong said:
Very nice looking hog knife !! I like the shape of it, about perfect. How did the edge hold up on hog hair?
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That knife is kind of new. I haven’t used it to butcher yet. It’s also done with a different heat treat for testing. The one I used on the pig, was a smaller design. And the edge held up great. Comparable to 3v.
 
DeadboxHero said:
What was the test? Up for a challenge?
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I’m interested in the material and methods used for the test. Against the master hunter, it may be tough to beat.

The MS has killer geometry and a real good HT. I’m sure a 3V knife made and designed by hand to beat the MS in the test could be tough to beat as well.

Though CS’s claim above seems very doubtful. Razor sharpness after that many cuts, assuming the cutting medium is one typically used for such tests, is not likely.
 
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jux t said:
I’m interested in the material and methods used for the test. Against the master hunter, it may be tough to beat.

The MS has killer geometry and a real good HT. I’m sure a 3V knife made and designed by hand to beat the MS in the test could be tough to beat as well.

Though CS’s claim above seems very doubtful. Razor sharpness after that many cuts, even to newspaper, is not likely.
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It would be fun to replicate the testing.
 
Cold Steel Knives said:
Definitely try our SRK or Master Hunter in 3V (61-62 HRC). We've got one in our showroom tested with over 7,000 cuts on the factory edge and its still sharp as a razor, not to toot our own horn or anything :)
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I'm also really curious as to what material the knife had cut? Just like others have mentioned, 7000 cuts and being still razor is quite a big achievement for 3V when it's edge retention isn't it's biggest strength, it's good, but not anything like M390. So what was this material?
 
Well guys i have this now narrowed down to 2 knife designs I like, the Bark River Bravo 2 and the Bradford Guardian 6. Both around the same price point, although I would have to order a custom kydex sheath for either one seeing as the BR comes with leather (which is alright) and the Bradford comes with nylon (which I dislike). I just prefer kydex for it's better resistance to weather and because it holds your knife with a nice and tight lock in. Both are awesome blades imo and I've heard Bark River has very good heat treated 3V, but I haven't heard much or read up on Bradford, so will need some advice on them. So which do you guys think is the better choice between the two? I know it obviously all comes down to my preference, but any little bit of info and or advice will help. Thanks everyone.
 
AshesFall said:
You're absolutely right! My drop forged survivalist in 52100 can probably do everything I could ever want it to.. buuuut just like most of you guys I'm a knife junkie and am always looking to upgrade just for the heck of it. I've got a serious problem and there's no cure lol
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Oh, there's a cure alright. The question is, can you afford the cure?
 
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