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Ease of sharpening CPM S30V vs CPM 3V

S

Shriket33

Joined
Feb 22, 2015
Messages
77
Have a choice of 2 knives, one in CPM 3V another in CPM S30V.
Ease of sharpening would be a deciding factor in my choice.
Which one is easiest to sharpen, is it easy to get it hair popping sharp? Is there a significant difference between the two ?
Thank you for your input
 
Between those two steels, I wouldn't have that be "the" deciding factor.
3V is a tough, do-anything steel that can rust if not taken care of.
S30V is a good stainless that has been proven over time.
I can only say that your intended use might be the main factor to consider. IMO
 
All of my 3V knives are convex grinds fixed blades.
All of my s30v are v-grind folders.
Its easier for me to sharpen convex. I can get my 3V knives really sharp. I can get s30v kinda sharp, but still not happy with how I finish it. Leaning more towards toothy. I would pick 3v if it were me, especially if it were a fixed blade (for the impact toughness of 3v).

What knives are you considering?
 
Two pretty different steels but if ease of sharpening is really the only consideration, if both knives are of equal thickness behind the edge and you'd be sharpening them the same way then generally speaking 3V would be easier unless the S30V was way soft.
 
bodog said:
Two pretty different steels but if ease of sharpening is really the only consideration, if both knives are of equal thickness behind the edge and you'd be sharpening them the same way then generally speaking 3V would be easier unless the S30V was way soft.
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Well, yes, and at the same time, no. It depends on what you are referring to. If your starting with the edge completely dull, meaning material must be removed, than S30V is quite a bit easier to sharpen. But if you have two edges already established(which is what it sounds like you mean), the 3V will be easier, as it takes and holds a much better edge. It's also quite a bit more corrosion resistant than many think. I would choose it hands down over S30V for any knife.
 
Is there much difference between 3V and S30V in ease of sharpening between these two?
Which one will get a hair popping sharp edge the easiest?
Thank you for your input
 
DavidHoback said:
Well, yes, and at the same time, no. It depends on what you are referring to. If your starting with the edge completely dull, meaning material must be removed, than S30V is quite a bit easier to sharpen. But if you have two edges already established(which is what it sounds like you mean), the 3V will be easier, as it takes and holds a much better edge. It's also quite a bit more corrosion resistant than many think. I would choose it hands down over S30V for any knife.
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haha yikes what knife have you sharpened in 3v that was more difficult then s30v?
 
I have only had s30v in Benchmade knives and I can not stand them. Maybe Benchmade can't heat treat?? 3v would be my choice.
 
DeadboxHero said:
haha yikes what knife have you sharpened in 3v that was more difficult then s30v?
Click to expand...

Well, lets see... There are the few dozen I've made in 3v. Does that count? Haha! S30v is not a very good steel. It sharpens "ok", and doesn't hold an edge for nothing! 3v will get screaming sharp, and holds the edge for a long time! It's in the "super steel" classification. Now, I don't believe either are difficult. Rather, it's how it sharpens. Comparing the 2 in all aspects, 3V destroys S30v is every aspect except corrosion resistance. And again, even in that might be surprised at how resistant 3V is. To sum it up, S30V is JUNK! I use CPM20CV when I want to make a stainless blade.
 
So much expert advice! All seeming to lean towards 3V.
The knives in question I want to choose from are the Barkriver mini Bravo in 3V and the Benchmade hidden canyon hunter in S30V. Both short blades are well designed to work in tight spots, like cutting the diaphragm in a deer without puncturing the rumen, or reaching deep into the chest severing windpipe and esophagus.
For such purposes I like a very sharp blade, that is easy to touch up with a strop.
Thank you guys!
 
Ha I remember you regarding Malanika Puukos.
I never owned a blade in either 3V or S30V.
My choice based on your recommendations will be 3V
Thanks for the input
 
DavidHoback said:
Well, lets see... There are the few dozen I've made in 3v. Does that count? Haha! S30v is not a very good steel. It sharpens "ok", and doesn't hold an edge for nothing! 3v will get screaming sharp, and holds the edge for a long time! It's in the "super steel" classification. Now, I don't believe either are difficult. Rather, it's how it sharpens. Comparing the 2 in all aspects, 3V destroys S30v is every aspect except corrosion resistance. And again, even in that might be surprised at how resistant 3V is. To sum it up, S30V is JUNK! I use CPM20CV when I want to make a stainless blade.
Click to expand...

I agree about S30V. Maybe at one time it was one of the better steels but now I won't ever go out of my way to look for it and it actually turns me off of all but a few knives.
 
Shriket33 said:
So much expert advice! All seeming to lean towards 3V.
The knives in question I want to choose from are the Barkriver mini Bravo in 3V and the Benchmade hidden canyon hunter in S30V. Both short blades are well designed to work in tight spots, like cutting the diaphragm in a deer without puncturing the rumen, or reaching deep into the chest severing windpipe and esophagus.
For such purposes I like a very sharp blade, that is easy to touch up with a strop.
Thank you guys!
Click to expand...


Oh! I wish you had just said that, lol! Bark River HANDS DOWN! Bark River makes semi custom knives.(and I make custom knives) I've been a big fan of Bark River for a long time. Benchmade makes fantastic folders. Actually what I've always carried. Even now, I usually have my Benchmade Morpho 32, or Sequel on me. But their fixed blades just fall short. It's odd really-that they can produce such a nice folder, but Benchmade fixed blades just don't really make the grade. They seem kinda cheap! And of course, 100% machine made. They just don't have the attention that a hand made tool has. So, go Bark River. You won't be disappointed.
 
I think S30V is about as sorry as steel as I ever used. I would rather have AUS8. That steel is why I sold my sebenza. Can't figure what CR was thinking when he created it.
 
Razor said:
I think S30V is about as sorry as steel as I ever used. I would rather have AUS8. That steel is why I sold my sebenza. Can't figure what CR was thinking when he created it.
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Chris Reeve was involved in making S30v. He was thinking $$$.
 
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