EDC steel decision

V

Vanguard.223

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Sep 5, 2012
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142
I've been wanting a blur for a very long time now so I've decided on it, but now I have a choice between 14c28n and s30v. Is the "upgrade" in steel with the extra $20, also this knife will be used while hunting and around camp on wood and rope an what not. Is there any other blade steels I should be looking at to fill an outdoor role as well. My budget is $75.

Thanks!
 
The difference will be noticed if you sharpen your own blades. S30V will go a bit longer in between sharpenings, and can be maintained with just a touch-up every so often.

S30V being a carbide-rich steel, I would use for slicing things - not so much carving wood, if you want fine detail. If you mean camp duties like stakes, pegs, and whatnot, it'll do just fine.

If you're going to use something for hunting and camping, I'd personally suggest a 3V fixed blade. They're tougher, hold an edge well, and have reasonably low rusting rates compared to things like 1095.
 
+1 on the fixed blade, they are much better camping and hunting knives. Easier to maintain, and for $75 you can get two different decent fixed blade knives.
About your question: s30v is fine but a little harder to sharpen. If you can sharpen reasonably well the "lower end" steel is fine.
 
I have more fixed blades than I need including 3 Beckers. Wearing a fixed blade all the time isn't practical while bow hunting an trying to keep the weight down! The knife won't be doing any hardcore stuff mostly slicing rope, bags of corn, maybe carving on soft mesquite sticks. Nothing a folder can't handle!
 
How dull do you like your steel to go before sharpening? Like, do you touch it up every other week or so to keep it nice and shaving sharp, or just like to let it go for a while before having the need? I think S30V fits the letting-it-go role a bit better, but on the other hand a good steel like 14C done right will hold a "sharp enough" edge for quite a while too. The real beauty of S30V comes when cutting very fibrous, abrasive material--and rope can be right up this classification sometimes. So I'd use my own judgement as far as... Have you ever cut enough rope while hunting that it dulled up a similar fine-grained/low-carbide steel (440, 1095, etc.)? Did it annoy you having to sharpen it to keep it going? If not, then I wouldn't fuss over S30V.
 
I'd go S30v then, or maybe CPM154 if you can get it. Sharpen to about 600 grit for a durable, high-performing slicing edge.

You'll always wonder about the upgrade if you don't get it. You'd be served well enough by just about anything, but if you can comfortably afford one in S30v, why not? Lifetime warranty's always there to back you up.
 
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