CRK Steel Evolution?

Modernflame · Feb 4, 2023

Chris Reeve knives in CPM S45VN are like the middle child, languishing in the shadow of an accomplished older brother, S35VN, and eclipsed by the infant brother, Magnacut. Poor S45VN! Forgotten before the prime of life! Owners of S45VN Sebenzas should learn the warning signs of depression and drug abuse. Early signs include shyness about cutting and fear of salt water. Male S45vn knives may experience premature loss of apex. Studies show that female S45VN knives are at increased risk of posing for risque photos on internet auction sites. In extreme cases, they may anodize themselves. Talk to your S45VN today!

I'm kidding, of course. I like S45VN. Magnacut appears to be a leap forward in every measurable category, but here is my question for the group. Does S45VN, as treated by CRK, retain any advantage over Magnacut? Maybe it strops better? Maybe it takes a finer edge? Sharpening feedback? Anyone done any cut testing? Thoughts? I have a Magnacut Sebenza inbound, but have not had the opportunity to use the new steel.

TreesNoDummy · Feb 4, 2023

My take is that a lot of people will never notice a difference. For me, the excitement of magnacut was mostly because of the re-release of insingo and tanto blade shapes. I do, however, see a personal use case for a fixed blade in magnacut. Camping with a blade like that has practical applications for me and will make me feel even more confident that I'll never run into issues. But truth be told - would a 4v run into corrosion issues for your regular run of the mill camper? Probably not. But I'm willing to wait for one myself.

Therom · Feb 4, 2023

I don’t mind the steel on my CRKs
I was fine with s35vn so I don’t care too much of any further improvmwn

S45vn in my experience is good. It keeps a good edge and is easy to sharpen

Magnacut will be bettter on toughness and corrosion resistance

At the end I think s45vn will still have a slight advantage on keeping an edge better

I use my CRKs and my other knives but with the exception of a few beater I don’t abuse them so I am not sure these differences will be really noticeable for me

MrStabby7 · Feb 4, 2023

I like the s45vn. It keeps a razor edge for a long time. I have a magnacut sebenza in my pocket right now. I'll have to carry it for a while before I make an opinion about the steel. I'd be suprised if I could tell much practical difference.

BSheppard · Feb 4, 2023

I have user CRK’s in 30, 35 and now 45. The first two are a little better for my use than 45.

I still carry the 45 the most because it’s on the light weight side of the equation because it’s a knife art model. I seem to have to sharpen it a little more often than S35VN. It’s also the first Chris Reeve steel that I got a little rust at the pivot. Nothing bad but some discoloration that wiped away when getting the old grease out/off.

I have Magnacut on several other folders. One is a Protech Mordax that I carry and sharpen a good bit. It seems to be a definite step up from S45VN. So I have high hopes for the CRKs coming.

The Shatz · Feb 4, 2023

I think the s45 was a noticeable upgrade over the s35. It seems to hold a edge quite a bit longer. It’s a little harder to maintain with the s35
It strops back to shaving sharp without much effort. Looking forward to trying magnacut hopefully they run it on the harder side.

Modernflame · Feb 4, 2023

My understanding is that the folders and the new small fixies are heat treated harder to favor edge retention. The larger fixed blades will be lower for toughness.

Modernflame · Feb 11, 2023

I've had my first sharpening experience with Magnacut. The factory edge was not sharp enough to shave arm hair. I think they rounded off the apex. The bevel was also not uniform in height. After completely blunting the edge in a cardboard killing exercise, I set it up in the Wicked Edge. My first impression is that the steel is hard. My knives have generally all been in the neighborhood of 60 HRC. The hardest steel I've worked with is a Miyabi kitchen knife that purports to be @ 63 HRC, but the Magnacut feels harder. It does not like to form a large, ragged burr. The burr is fine, crisp, and easy to remove on stones. Very little stropping was required to clean off the apex. Leaving it at a 1000 grit for now. I can't wait to see how it performs!