Expensive Stainless, is it worth it?

G

Gee Ham

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May 24, 2017
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Wondering if any makers on here have experience using CPM S30V, or CPM S35V stainless. It sounds like it is quite superior in toughness compared to 440Cor 154CM, but it is also way more expensive, and I'm curious if the price difference is congruent with blade quality. I'm also wondering how much more time and belts would be required pre-heat treat, any advice would be appreciated, as I am looking to transition from making exclusively carbon steel blades to more stainless.
 
CPM-S35VN - Not really all that expensive, and YES it is worth it.

It runs about $2 an inch in 1.5" wide. THat work out to be $16 for a hunter, $30 for a chefs knife.
 
From use in commercial blades I can tell you it is or at least it is for some knives where you really want those properties. If you want something in between there is a reason AEB-L is pretty popular here.
 
The steel is really wear resistant, unfortunately that also applies to when working with it after ht. Finishing and sharpening are a bear without proper equipment.

So keep the clients in mind as well, if they aren't willing to invest in diamond stones or aren't adept at sharpening, it may not be the best steel for them
 
Would any of us advertise our knives as made from "almost really excellent steel" and who among us would make a fine knife and do all that work and try to save literally just a few dollars on the steel? I pay more for abrasives (belts, paper, Dremel wheels and grinding pieces) than I do on the steel for each of my knives. I like to use CPM 154 on hunting knives and 440C on larger camp knives and the CPM 154 is more expensive but a small part of the cost of the whole. Leather is a bigger concern and exotic wood prices are something to consider as well. I make the best knives I can and estimate how to price them later. My opinion is that to make the best knives you should start with the best materials just like any other endeavor. Larry

KStRZ9gl.jpg

This blade is CPM 154, nickel silver bolsters, stainless Corby bolts, and black paper Micarta with brushed finish hollow grind.
 
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It's after 1 am and I'm finally sitting down for dinner after a long day at work, so just imagine my disappointment when I open up this thread that I read as, "Explosive Stainless, is it worth it?"... Heck yeah, where can I get some, bro?! o_O:oops::D
 
"explosive stainless" I hear ya. For me it's always shocking and confusing that steel, the cheapest component of a knife, is always the first thing people try and cheap out on. Well that and cheap epoxy. Seriously, use good materials. Several years ago I had a conversation with a fairly new maker about cryo. He was stating that because most customers don't really use custom knives much they'll never know if their blades, stainless, were cryoed or not. My response was, "I'd know", and for literally a few dollars why not?

Lets say you spend an extra 10$ on material and such on a knife, compare that to grinding belts, abrasives, exotic hardwoods, ect. Just advertise the premium materials and such.

As for stainless, not a huge fan, and haven't tried it all by any means, but for me I really like CPM 154. Has a good balance of edge holding, ease of sharpening, and toughness.
 
I never consider the up front cost of material to be a stumbling block. When building a quality product and reputation cutting corners is a recipe for failure. Yes those steels are more expensive, but the finished product if done correctly is worth the added expense.

I can grind stainless as fast as carbon steels so grinding time is not an issue. I do grind stainless to a much higher grit finish 400-600 so after they come out of HT there is less finish grinding involved. Belt usage...I use them like they are FREE a worn belt is useless for clean crisp grinds!!!!
 
I always find the cost argument funny.

36" of 1.5 wide .125" thick 1084 costs about $15. 36" of .94" thick CPM-S35VN costs $70.
The difference between 1084 and CPM-S35VN is about $15 for an average knife.

The handle, belts, rivets, and labor time are probably three to five times the steel cost.

The difference in performance, looks, and customer appeal are probably a factor of two or three.

That equates to a $50 knife in 1084 being a $100 to $150 knife in S35VN ... so you can clearly see the value of the better steel.

BTW, you do not need diamond stones to sharpen S35VN. Any good stone will sharpen it. It may take a bit longer to get the edge sharpened initially, but the edge can be made extremely sharp ... and last very well.
 
Expense has nothing to do with knife making.

However, buy a high quality piece of steel and you’ll probably bring it in the house to keep your eye on it and dream of what you can make with it. Frustration will come when you’re trying to finish the thing.

Hoss
 
DevinT said:
Expense has nothing to do with knife making.

However, buy a high quality piece of steel and you’ll probably bring it in the house to keep your eye on it and dream of what you can make with it. Frustration will come when you’re trying to finish the thing.

Hoss
Click to expand...
I NEED one of your High Quality Pieces of steel to EYEBALL and Dream of what to make with it...:cool::thumbsup:
 
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