Cts-20cp

FlaMtnBkr

FlaMtnBkr

Joined
Oct 20, 2004
Messages
4,704
I'm not sure where the best place to ask this is, but there has been some steel discussion here lately and the new Sprint Para uses this new (?) Steel.

A common claimed trait of S90V is that it loses its shaving edge quickly but holds a working edge for a really long time. Is it the alloy, how the steel is made, or something else that causes this? Since CTS-20CP is quite similar in composition will it exhibit similar traits? Just curious if it will hold a razor edge longer than S90V. I have my theories but want to hear what others have to say.

On a side note does anyone have a recommendation for a steel that will hold a razor edge the longest amount of time cutting a little bit of everything as a EDC blade would face?? Also, if someone thinks this might get more discussion in another forum let me know and I will ask to have it moved.

Thanks!
 
I think you're thinking of S30V, not S90V, S90V will hold its shaving edge for a really long time and its working edge for a really really long time. As far as what you're looking for, in a production blade it sounds like you're looking for S90V,S110V or CTS-20CP, without going up to really exotic steels only available in customs like REX-21, 10V, S125V, etc.
 
FlaMtnBkr said:
I'm not sure where the best place to ask this is, but there has been some steel discussion here lately and the new Sprint Para uses this new (?) Steel.

A common claimed trait of S90V is that it loses its shaving edge quickly but holds a working edge for a really long time. Is it the alloy, how the steel is made, or something else that causes this? Since CTS-20CP is quite similar in composition will it exhibit similar traits? Just curious if it will hold a razor edge longer than S90V. I have my theories but want to hear what others have to say.

On a side note does anyone have a recommendation for a steel that will hold a razor edge the longest amount of time cutting a little bit of everything as a EDC blade would face?? Also, if someone thinks this might get more discussion in another forum let me know and I will ask to have it moved.

Thanks!
Click to expand...

There are two steels that come to mind within your criteria, M4 (non-stainless) and M390 (stainless). Both will take and hold a very fine edge for a long time.
 
A.P.F. said:
There are two steels that come to mind within your criteria, M4 (non-stainless) and M390 (stainless). Both will take and hold a very fine edge for a long time.
Click to expand...
I haven't really put any of my M390 knives through their paces yet, but I have done so with my Gayle Bradley and completely agree about CPM-M4.
 
I think any high vanadium carbide content PM steel would fit your description of cutting for a long time despite losing extreme sharpness. But to say S90v loses it quickly would be an exaggeration. As for CTS-20CP, I would expect a similar performance compared to S90v. I still don't know if I'd be able to get the new Para 2 sprint so but here's hoping.
 
Zdp 189 might be another steel you would want to look at .it holds a shaving edge very long and you can find some reasonable priced spydies sporting this steel.
 
FlaMtnBkr said:
I'm not sure where the best place to ask this is, but there has been some steel discussion here lately and the new Sprint Para uses this new (?) Steel.

A common claimed trait of S90V is that it loses its shaving edge quickly but holds a working edge for a really long time. Is it the alloy, how the steel is made, or something else that causes this? Since CTS-20CP is quite similar in composition will it exhibit similar traits? Just curious if it will hold a razor edge longer than S90V. I have my theories but want to hear what others have to say.

On a side note does anyone have a recommendation for a steel that will hold a razor edge the longest amount of time cutting a little bit of everything as a EDC blade would face?? Also, if someone thinks this might get more discussion in another forum let me know and I will ask to have it moved.

Thanks!
Click to expand...

I wouldn't go that far as to say S90V loses it's shaving edge rather quickly (Compared to what?), it holds that edge for a long time then holds that working edge for a very long time. All that vanadium ain't there for nothing I can tell you that.

CTS-20CP could hold it's razor edge slightly longer than S90V due to the finer grain structure from it being a 2nd generation PM steel. I didn't test for that though and with the steels being so close in performance I doubt it would be noticeable.

The 2 steels, S90V and CTS-20CP are so close in performance it's like using 2 S90V blades or 2 CTS-20CP blades, they are that close from my testing.

M390 would be one of those steels that will hold a razor edge for a very long time, especially in a custom that is HT right and at 62 HRC or so. M390 is likely the best all around high end steel out there right now at hardness from 61 HRC and over, too bad the production companies don't get it that hard.

Most of the steels that hold that razor edge will drop off very fast to completely dull faster than steels like S90V, 20CP, S110V, and M390., anyone of these 4 steels at proper hardness and you have a real winner, they are at the top of the food chain.

Everything is a trade off when talking about steels, to get one thing we give up something else.
 
Last edited:
Still no word from knifecenter on my cts para pre order. Does anyone know if all 600 already went out of Golden or are more still to come?????
 
spydusse said:
Still no word from knifecenter on my cts para pre order. Does anyone know if all 600 already went out of Golden or are more still to come?????
Click to expand...

They NEVER all go out in one batch. They tend to send them in batches or 2 maybe 3.
 
Has Spyderco said what hardness range they were shooting for with the CTS-20CP Para? Same as their S90V?
 
Hey Jim, with the upcoming release of the tilt . Do you think vanax 75 will be able to compete with cts 20cp and s90?
 
spydusse said:
Hey Jim, with the upcoming release of the tilt . Do you think vanax 75 will be able to compete with cts 20cp and s90?
Click to expand...

That will depend on a few things, well will have to wait and see.
 
I got a pre order in with kershawguy so iim pretty confident in getting one. Para 2 cts still waiting to see if I got to go secondary market.
 
Spydusse, when you get yours please let us know how it works out for your EDC needs. I always like hearing from users who depend on their knives daily. So far I'm pretty pleased with all the Carpenter steels I've tried. Good, clean and nice grain structures in the powder steels. BD1 is a steel that doesn't get a lot of respect but considering it is designed to compete with the 420J, 420hc type steels I even like it. My first Spyderco was Gin 1, which is pretty much same as BD1 and I got 6 good years out of it. Just got my 20CP but haven't used it yet. I just touched the edge up.

Joe
 
Just got mr para 2 from the exchange. If kc every comes threw ill just sell it for what I paid for one on the exchange. Can't wait for it to arrive!
 
Its here !!!!!!!!! I have to say this knife flicks open like no other production ever<could just be new knife drunk. Came shaving sharp but wouldn't take paper straight down in half . I'm too tired to want to take out edge pro ,been crazy at work . A quick touch up on ultra fine rods on sharpmaker(at 30l and the factory edge will now take a paper in half from a straight downward motion. Wierdest thing ,when I get a new knife I get anxious to get back to work .
 
I was lucky to find a dealer on eBay that was selling for only $10 more than the pre-order that I missed. They're going for $250 now. I hope to get another when the second or third batch starts shipping.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top