CTS-XHP vs m390

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PatrickKnight

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Jan 24, 2012
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Well im in the market for a para 2 sprint and wondering which of these steels is better suited to an edc carry knife. Looking for edge retention, easy of sharpening, how sharp the blade can get, and durability (crostion resitance and such).

im really hoping these steels are easier to sharpen than s30v.


Thanks in advance guys
 
they both take longer to sharpen than s30v especially m390 but they are both better as well that said i'd def go for the M390 all day long
 
M390 kicks ass!! Sorry, not very scientific I know but its a fact! I dont have a CTS-XHP knife to compare it with - yet - but you will be hard pressed to beat M390 IMO. I'm carrying a knife in M390 today - a 581 Barrage. It rocks!!
 
JNewell said:
There is no free lunch. ;) M390 will be measurably better than XHP, but unless you're counting, you may not really notice in real life.
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If im not counting would i notice a gain over the standard s30v para 2?
From what I had read i was under the impression both of these steels would be worlds different than s30v or would only a select few ever notice the gains over s30v
 
You'll notice the difference for sure. They dont need to be sharpened as often. Depends what you are cutting. If you're shredding cardboard boxes every day I'd suggest you invest in some DMT diamond stones. Or get a box cutter! That way you'll always have a fresh blade. If you're doing regular type cutting a M390 edge will last forever.

I just touched up my 581 Barrage in about 3 minutes. A few swipes on the DMT DuoSharp (fine stone) and a couple more on a Spyderco benchstone (fine) and its good to go! Nothing to it.

PatrickKnight said:
If im not counting would i notice a gain over the standard s30v para 2?
From what I had read i was under the impression both of these steels would be worlds different than s30v or would only a select few ever notice the gains over s30v
Click to expand...
 
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I have to say that I found M390 easier to sharpen than S30V. Again, it depends on what S30V from one company compared to M390 from another company. I'd rather sharpen/rebevel 5 M390 Mules than one Strider in S30V

stwesterner said:
they both take longer to sharpen than s30v especially m390 but they are both better as well that said i'd def go for the M390 all day long
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PatrickKnight said:
Well im in the market for a para 2 sprint and wondering which of these steels is better suited to an edc carry knife. Looking for edge retention, easy of sharpening, how sharp the blade can get, and durability (crostion resitance and such).

im really hoping these steels are easier to sharpen than s30v.


Thanks in advance guys
Click to expand...


That will depend on how you use your knives and what you usually cut with them.

In general both M390 and XHP will hold an edge longer than S30V with M390 at the top.
 
IMO, my XHP spyderco military is easier to sharpen and holds an edge better then any of my S30V spydies too. I also own the M390 spyderco PM2, but have yet to sharpen it. That says something about its edge retention! I have not heard one bad thing about spyderco m390, and i like the blue g10 better then the bright orange g10. You can also find the blue one a little cheaper as they are still sold at Bentoboxshop rather then having to pick up an xhp pm2 on the secondary market for a high price!
 
Jim, didn't they specifically angle for more toughness than your typical PM stainless with the CTS-XHP? Carpenter says it is like "stainless D2" but I have heard that Mike Stewart describe it as being closer to a "stainless A2' because it appears to have a fair bit more toughness than D2.
Ankerson said:
About the same Edge retention wise with XHP being tougher.
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jdm61 said:
Jim, didn't they specifically angle for more toughness than your typical PM stainless with the CTS-XHP? Carpenter says it is like "stainless D2" but I have heard that Mike Stewart describe it as being closer to a "stainless A2' because it appears to have a fair bit more toughness than D2.
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I think XHP is tougher than D2 from what I have personally seen, but I wouldn't go as far as to say a stainless A2 though.

It is an excellent steel though that I have really put through the wringer and it has done very well.

ELMAX is a very tough steel for a stainless.
 
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Personally, I find XHP easier to sharpen than S30V or M390, but I haven't timed myself or compared the edges when I'm done.
 
stwesterner said:
they both take longer to sharpen than s30v especially m390 but they are both better as well that said i'd def go for the M390 all day long
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What makes you say that? Any real world experience?

I've sharpened a lot of M390, and it doesn't take any longer (or is any harder to do) than S30V. Sometimes it seems like it takes less time than S30V.

Steels with great edge retention don't always equal "hard to sharpen."
 
CrimsonTideShooter said:
What makes you say that? Any real world experience?

I've sharpened a lot of M390, and it doesn't take any longer (or is any harder to do) than S30V. Sometimes it seems like it takes less time than S30V.

Steels with great edge retention don't always equal "hard to sharpen."
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That really depends on both what one is sharpening with and the Heat Treating and tempering process of the steels in question as that will vary.

The difference in Striders S30V and say Spydercos is noticeable on the knives I have delt with from both companies and then compare both of those to CRK's S30V.
 
CTS-XHP -1.60 C, 0.50 Mn, 0.40 Si, 16.00 Cr, 0.35 Ni, 0.80 Mo, 0.45 V

ELMAX - (C) 1.70 (Cr) 18.00 (Mn) 0.30 (Mo) 1.00 (Si) 0.80 (V) 3.00


Surprised by the result.
I ever thought from this data that ELMAX would have more wear resistance than XHP due to higher C and V.
 
That really depends on both what one is sharpening with and the Heat Treating and tempering process of the steels in question as that will vary.

The difference in Striders S30V and say Spydercos is noticeable on the knives I have delt with from both companies and then compare both of those to CRK's S30V.
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I agree with you Jim. I can tell the difference between two spydercos in S30V. One has a black blade, one satin but they definitely feel different on the DMT's. Not what I'd call difficult at all, but they feel different.

Of course I can tell the difference between 1095 at low 50's ( Case CV) and slightly less low 1095 in GEC's :)

D2 ( queen at 57) feels very different than , say, Benchmades D2 at ? ( Supposed to be 60-62)

I suppose I can tell because I'm doing them one after another, not days or weeks later, but I sure can tell.

Joe
 
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