Fixed blade help

smitty1505 said:
Also between A2 and CPM 3v which is a better option. I see both are offered on a good deal of their knives but I don't know which would better suit my needs. Thanks again!
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They are both tough as nails.
3v has added tungsten for improved toughness
A2 has nickle and higher molybednum for increased toughness

A2 has a higher carbon content, and thus should hold a finer edge, with roughly 5% chromium (giving it some corrosion resistance) with just a hint of vanadium
3v has 7.5% chromium with about 3% vanadium for those hard carbides to provide a longer lasting "working" edge.

For a tool steel you won't go wrong with either though.
 
smitty1505 said:
Also between A2 and CPM 3v which is a better option. I see both are offered on a good deal of their knives but I don't know which would better suit my needs. Thanks again!
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3V is pretty much the better all around steel. Tougher, more corrosion resistant and it will hold an edge better. A2 is very good, and generally less expensive, but there are some very good reasons that Bark River uses 3V as an upgrade over it.
 
That's a really good point about 3V that I forgot to mention: price.

Also, to be fair, I don't have any experience with 3V. Just really good experiences with A2!
 
VermontEdge said:
That's a really good point about 3V that I forgot to mention: price.

Also, to be fair, I don't have any experience with 3V. Just really good experiences with A2!
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A2 is no slouch! I'll take 3V over it, all things being equal, but if I'm realistic about my outdoor usage I really don't need to upgrade from A2 as it will happily do everything I ask of it.
 
Amen! I love batoning a load of kindling and then shaving a little patch of arm hair. Though, of course, I'm super curious to try 3V!
 
I got a bunch of Chris Reeve's One Piece Range Knives that I have used for years; they are in A2 and I have been very satisfied with them.
 
My all around favorite is a Survive! GSO 3.5 is in 20CV. Not only would I say it is the overall best fixed blade I've owned, but it very well may be the best knife I've owned period.
 
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