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- Nov 24, 2005
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And now I change this to:
1. s35vn
2. D 20cv
3.CTS-XHP
as 20cv holds the edge better than CTS and is more usable long-run. This is due to tha fact that 20cv contains a large volume of extremely hard vanadium carbides, which provide excellent wear resistance. There is no vanadium in CTS.
Ditto! My thoughts EXACTLY!
What kind of cutting tests etc. have you guys done to support those numbers? Or, is it just an opinion...which is cool. Just wondered?

Edit: I agree with the 1st two as my son has the Duratech 20CV and I have the CTS-XHP. I ended up holding his for safe-keeping awhile and used them both to cut down a couple of "Priority mail" boxes and cut the corners off of a three foot scrap of 2x4 - 2 to 2.5 ft long slivers (just two good, long cuts with each). I cut deeply enough unti it hurt my hand to hold the handles.
Both had some small notches displayed in the edge. Curious, 2 little notches on each blade and in the same place? Both knives were restored to like new by stropping only, which removed these tiny little square dings. I continued to cut more cardboard with the 20CV until the blade was definitely dulled and couldn't be restored with a strop. I used my Sharpmaker on it which to me was kinda like peeing into the wind. I ended up getting it scary sharp with DMT hones.
I pushed the Duratech 20CV the most so iit's ridiculously "UN-scientific" and not a real test but it was my experience. That steel laughs at the ceramic Sharpmaker rods but responded to diamond hones grudgingly - it's really hard stuff! I don't own an XM-18 with S35VN (but I'd love to Rob if you read this!!) so I can't comment on it. I have a Sebenza with it but really my XM-18 gets all of my pocket time.
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