Edge Retentions of Spycerco S30V vs. VG10 vs. Buck S30V vs. Benchmade D2

With regard to taking D2 out: There are limitations and variables in EVERYTHING.

In an ideal world, it would be neat to plot steel on one axis, hardness on another axis, and edge retention on a third axis. This requires more samples, money, time, and still has limitations, but the point is you can second guess everything...what you have is pretty good and demonstrates some excellent points for consideration.

I appreciate that you present everything, and make the debatable differences/limitations clear.
 
Last edited:
JNewell, thanks for the generous offer. For various reasons that I will tell you in a PM, I cannot work with fixed blades.
 
knarfeng said:
JNewell, thanks for the generous offer. For various reasons that I will tell you in a PM, I cannot work with fixed blades.
Click to expand...

Ahhh. No problem at all. Benchmade made some Grips and AFCKs with D2, but I don't own any. :(
 
Your PM box is full.

I will likely look for blade from other makers. The current BM spec for D2 hardness is 60-62. I need a softer one. (Now that's a weird statement!)
 
knarfeng said:
Here is my modified chart.

RelativeRetentions-2.jpg
Click to expand...
Where would INFI go in this comparison?
Thanks!
 
My guess would be somewhere between 9CrCoMoV and AUS 10, based on past experience. It isn't the greatest abrasive edge holder of all time, though it's no slouch, and its edge stability does very well in push cutting. I usually characterize its performance as being stainless 5160. So of course, if you were to do another chart with edge holding under impact it would score much, much higher.
 
awestib said:
Where would INFI go in this comparison?
Thanks!
Click to expand...

I have no idea. Way out of my price range.

The most I can say is that 1095 hardened to a manufacturer's spec of ~58 is about the same as AUS8 with a measured hardness of 59. Which is about what you would expect as both alloys have minimal carbide formation. One because it doesn't have enough Carbon, the other because it doesn't have chromium.
 
Great review, tons of info...that buck looks awesome...may have to pick one up despite the liner lock.
 
knarfeng said:
Alloy_____________________Rockwell
Spyderco Native III VG10______59.2
Spyderco Military S30V________58.3
Benchmade 710 D2___________61.6
Buck Vantage Pro S30V________59.7


I do not know if the 58 hardness on the Military was standard for Spyderco, standard for the Spyderco Military, or just a fluke. But it was what was measured on a properly calibrated Rockwell machine.
Click to expand...

Thanks, I always wanted to know the hardness for the black bladed millies.
 
Interesting that Buck's HT is a higher Rc than Spyderco's. I suppose if the target was 59, they could be representing opposite ends of the same range, though.
 
JNewell said:
Interesting that Buck's HT is a higher Rc than Spyderco's. I suppose if the target was 59, they could be representing opposite ends of the same range, though.
Click to expand...

Ankerson had two satin bladed millies tested and they were at 60 RC. Maybe the blades that were destined to be coated had a different HT.
 
my black miliie was tested by 2 different well respected parties. both got a result of very close to 58 rockwell. i certainly feel that is an accurate assessment of the blade hardness. if i was extrapulating i would guess s30 at 58 would be equivocable to n690c0 at 60. athough s30 has the vanadium---n690 has 1.5 colbalt if memory serves.most of performance of the alphabet alloys really shines above 60 r.r.one exception is 60v which does better at 58 or 59 r.r. max. metal aces please join in.
dennis
 
Looks like the probable explanation is that they're all within the same range and that Ankerson just got a pair at the high end of the range.

singularity35 said:
Ankerson had two satin bladed millies tested and they were at 60 RC. Maybe the blades that were destined to be coated had a different HT.
Click to expand...


DennisStrickland said:
my black miliie was tested by 2 different well respected parties. both got a result of very close to 58 rockwell. i certainly feel that is an accurate assessment of the blade hardness. if i was extrapulating i would guess s30 at 58 would be equivocable to n690c0 at 60. athough s30 has the vanadium---n690 has 1.5 colbalt if memory serves.most of performance of the alphabet alloys really shines above 60 r.r.one exception is 60v which does better at 58 or 59 r.r. max. metal aces please join in.
dennis
Click to expand...
 
singularity35 said:
Ankerson had two satin bladed millies tested and they were at 60 RC. Maybe the blades that were destined to be coated had a different HT.
Click to expand...

JNewell said:
Looks like the probable explanation is that they're all within the same range and that Ankerson just got a pair at the high end of the range.
Click to expand...


Try 2 satin blades from different batches made months apart that are 60 RC and I have a 3rd one sitting here that is just as hard as the other 2.
 
JNewell said:
Looks like the probable explanation is that they're all within the same range and that Ankerson just got a pair at the high end of the range.
Click to expand...

It's a statistically small sample but 2 out of 2 satin of Ankerson's at 60 and and 1 black of dennis at 58.5 RC. I really don't know if i have enough sensitivity but my black seems softer and easier to reprofile on the edge pro than the satin on my orange millie. Well, anyway my last post on this.


Edited: I corrected my mistake. Apologies :D
 
Last edited:
singularity35 said:
It's a statistically small sample but 2 out of 2 satin of Ankerson's at 60 and 2 out of 2 blacks, knarfeng's and dennis's at 58. I really don't know if i have enough sensitivity but my black seems softer and easier to reprofile on the edge pro than the satin on my orange millie. Well, anyway my last post on this.
Click to expand...

The black one is the same knife, not 2.

I know because I have it sitting here getting ready to send it back to Dennis.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top