Cpms35vn

[Walt2]

Today is the first time I have ground on any CPM35VN and I was surprised how easy this stuff grinds. While I was profiling some blades, a friend stopped by and wanted to know what type of metal I was using. Then he started wanting to know how does it compare to D2 and CPM154 on edge retention. Since I have never made a blade from it before much less used one, I could not answer his questions. Does anyone here know how CPMS35VN compares in edge retention to those two steels?

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

I'm guessing you are grinding before HT? It is a bit slower going post HT, depending on the Rc.

CPMS35VN is real nice stuff for slicers. Properly heat treated, it is tough and holds a great edge.

I don't know how well it does for choppers, but I'm sure someone here make a camp knife in CPMS35VN. It seems like a chopper would benefit from a different steel type.

 

[Walt2]

Thanks for the reply Stacy. Yes, I was grinding before HT.

 

[Lorien]

I'm gonna have a 'folding chopper' made from the stuff. It'll be awhile, but I'll make a thread about it and give my impression of its performance.
It's a badass steel, no doubt about it.

 

[David Wesner]

I don't know how well it does for choppers, but I'm sure someone here makes a camp knife in CPMS35VN.

At customer request I made one of my GUS Camp Knives in S35VN towards the end of 2010. Very, very nice steel to work with. Before and after HT :thumbup: Although I didn't "abuse" the knife, I did perform some chopping and cutting exercises prior to sending it out to my client. FWIW, the knife took an extremely keen edge that held up very well to my pre-delivery testing.

Walt, the "Tool Steel Comparagraph" on Crucible Steels S35VN Data Sheet shows the steel performing a little better than D2 & CPM154 in both toughness & wear resistance.

Here's a couple pics of the knife I made. This was to be a "user", so what you see is a 320 grit finish.

 

[Troop]

Nice work!:thumbup: I've got some S35VN coming this week. I hope it's easier to grind than CPM-M4! Jeez! I'm going through Blazes like water...it's killing me in belt costs.

 

[Walt2]

Nice work!:thumbup: I've got some S35VN coming this week. I hope it's easier to grind than CPM-M4! Jeez! I'm going through Blazes like water...it's killing me in belt costs.

It seems a lot easier to grind than M4. I have only used M4 one time and I was the same way as you about the belts. David you did a great job on that knife. It looks like it has a finer finish than 320.