CPM-S60V – The Forgotten Super Steel

Larrin

Larrin

Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
Joined
Jan 17, 2004
Messages
5,000
New article about a steel not often discussed – CPM-S60V. The steel never seemed to take off and now is more or less forgotten. I covered the steel’s development and use in knives including why it didn’t succeed. Then tests of its toughness and edge retention and whether I think it should make a comeback. https://knifesteelnerds.com/2020/08/17/cpm-s60v-the-forgotten-super-steel/
 
I like the looks of S60V. Spyderco, get on this and make me a Shaman in S60V!

Good read there, Larrin, really appreciate it! I like how it compares to M390. I resharpened my Contego in M390 last night and it took me about half an hour. Coarse diamond to get my apex, extra fine diamond to refine, then medium and fine Spyderco ceramics to get that edge to ridiculous hair popping levels. My Venev diamond paste should be here tomorrow so I can see how stropping will help or hurt my edges.
 
Larrin said:
New article about a steel not often discussed – CPM-S60V. The steel never seemed to take off and now is more or less forgotten. I covered the steel’s development and use in knives including why it didn’t succeed. Then tests of its toughness and edge retention and whether I think it should make a comeback. https://knifesteelnerds.com/2020/08/17/cpm-s60v-the-forgotten-super-steel/
Click to expand...

Thanks Larrin.

Didn't Shawn (@DeadboxHero ) play around with S60V a while back? I could be remembering wrong.

I know Spyderco used it some but don't remember why Sal said they went away from it.
 
Fascinating. I did not realize particle metallurgy had that long of a history. I thought maybe 25 years.
 
Thanks Larrin, I appreciate this post as well. I have an older Spyderco Native in 440V that I still use daily. I find it difficult to sharpen if I let the edge dull; it's more difficult than my Benchmade Grip in M390. Until I did my first real sharpening there was some initial edge chipping during use. However, the 440V Native holds a working edge for a good long time. As well, I find the blade will discolor slightly if I don't wipe it after use.
 
I’ve been hunting and fishing just about all my life. So I will only refer to skinning deer, pecari, ducks, pheasant, other birds, and cleaning and filleting fish. As well as related chores as cutting fishing line, strings, paracord, etc. Also, I own some three hundred knives, all quality production and custom knives. That said, in my experience, the best, by far, knives I have used are the 440V steel knives Tony Bose has made for me throughout the last thirty years. As simple as that.

We know that steel is not the only element to the formula of a great knife. Blade design and heat treatment are as important or more so than the specifications of the steel. And I have only used 440V steel on Bose knives. But my Bose 440V steel knives will skin ten deer without touching the blade, while other very expensive and coveted knives will do two or three at best. That’s my simple and empirical experience in many years working with all kinds of quality knives.
 
Thanks for sharing your experiences with the steel, everyone.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top