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CPMS30V knife steel

Joined
Feb 7, 2003
Messages
1
I just purchased a Spyderco native knife that was advertised to be CPM440V blade steel. Upon receipt I see it is actually CPMS30V. Is this a cheaper steel, better, or what? Can't find much info on the internet. Thanks for any replies.
 
440v is S60v

It comes from the same place as S30V.

I'm not a metal guy, nor have I worked with S60V. However, the general opinion is that S30V is one of the best stainless knife steel going. (Balance between toughness and edge holding). It's a big favorite with the custom guys and I've noticed more commercial makers using it.

I got curious so I when to the Crucible site and looked up some facts:

S60V(CPM440V):

Carbon 2.15%
Chromium 17%
Vanadium 5.5%
Molybdenum .04%

S30V:

Carbon 1.45%
Chromium 14%
Vanadium 4%
Molybdenum 2%

Impact Toughness
S60V: 12lbs
S30V: 10 lbs
154cm: 2.5 lbs
440C: 2.5 lbs

The lower Vanadium is supposed to make S30V easier to machine. But S30V has much more Molybdenum - whatever that does for it. (Like I said I'm not a metal guy. I'm collecting this info from their site.) Both metals are made with their Crucible Particle Metallurgy process for fine grain steels.

But S60V and S30V look close enough that the heat treat is going to make more difference than the metal.

Don't feel cheated.

Steve
 
Look at it this way, you got an upgrade. The experience that I have had with 440V (S60V) is that it is too brittle and I could not keep the edge from chipping. Whether it was due to poor heat treat or just plain bad steel really doesn't matter, it left a back taste in my mouth and I will never use it again.

S30V is the first stainless steel specifically designed for cutlery use and I believe that as far as that goes, Crucible hit the mark. A number of knifemakers have started using it and to be honest with you, I have not heard anything negative about it. When it occasions that we don't get exactly what we ordered our first thought is that "they" are "getting to us". That is not case in this instance. Be thankful. It looks like they took care of you. You are far better off.

C Wilkins
 
You are lucky if was heat treated properly. In which case you should realize better edge retension along with equal or better resistance to corrosion than that of 440C. However, it is all in the heat treat.

Roger
 
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