GS0 4.1 - Which steel?

I love my 20cv, that's why I got my 3.5 starter in this steel. Bit if I had S! 3V before I ordered I would have got that. It does seem to hold a better edge then the 20cv but I can't speak from experience just because of the size and task I use them both for. I use my 3v in way "harder" uses then my 20cv. I also clean the edges on all my edc at the same time. The 3v I just touch up as it needs it.
 
The 4.1 with the lanyard is in M390 steel, which is almost equivalent to 20cv. All of the others are 3V. This was the first 4.1 I owned, and I got it for pretty much EDC use. I tend to abuse EDC knives more than any other. I will cut up an apple, wipe the blade on my pants, back in the sheath it goes. So low maintenance was what I wanted. However, after using the others I became a 3V fanatic, no matter the size of the knife. The 4.1 pictured in 3V was gifted to a colleague of mine, so now I am back to having only 1 4.1 in M390. However, that is all going to change when the new run of 4.1s start shipping as I have a 3V on order.



I do like the M390 a lot. It functions very well for my EDC purposes. I have thumped on it pretty hard as well, and the edge and the steel hold up pretty well. It is an all around good blade that is stain resistant, and that is what I wanted. But, if I ever loose 45+ lbs., I might want to repel off of a rock face with my 4.1 whacked into a tree to serve as an anchor. Then I will definitely want 3V. My take is that the 20cv will do anything you want it to do for a knife of this size, but I agree that the 3V seems to hold an edge better in my use. Nothing scientific about this statement, just an observation that might be flawed.
 
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Maybe I'm just thinking of nonsuper steels, but I always thought stainless had an edge longer... and was then harder to sharpen. I can't argue against 3v, though :)

There's so much about steels I don't know!
 
A lot of stainless steels WILL hold an edge longer than non-stainless counterparts at similar hardness depending on the type of cutting. CPM-20CV / M390 has a lot of very wear-resistant carbides and also free chromium to prevent corrosion - cutting very abrasive material or in a corrosive environment, those elements will reduce degradation. However if your use involves a lot of lateral stress (twisting during cuts into relatively hard material, etc.) or impact on the edge, or if you find you are better at putting an edge on the 3V than the 20CV, then the 3V edge will probably last longer. *shrug* honestly 20CV and CPM-3V, while very different steels, are both quite impressive where they excel and neither is greatly "flawed". My wife prefers stainless, and I don't mind the bit of "freckling" that occurs on my 3V knives ;)
 
Texas_toothpick said:
That coming from a man who has every steel S! produced. And in most sizes too I believe. (Is that right MvM?)
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Early 4.1 stainless modeL was ELMAX. I never owned one. I also don't own the 20CV as it is essentially the U.S. version of M390. Anything larger than the 4.1 that I own or have on order is in 3V, and I own nothing smaller than the 4.1. In summary, 2 steels fromS!.
 
levs18 said:
So, I think I have a problem. I'm pretty much obsessed with Survive! Knives. I find myself in this forum everyday and watching videos every night. Looking at picture with jealousy just like when I was a kid and all my friends got Nintendo before I did. There may have even been a couple of dreams involving a GSO, but I'll keep that private...this is a family forum after all. Did I mention that I do not own a single Survive! yet? I know if anyone can understand the situation, it's you all!

I already have a 7/7 pre-ordered but I am thinking very strongly about pre-ordering a 4.1 as well. I know that time to pre-order is running out, so here's the question for the experts: do I get it in CPM-3v or CPM-20cv? I wouldn't say that Maryland is particularly humid but we certainly have some during the Spring and Summer. The 7/7 is 3v, so part of me thinks I should try the CPM-20cv for the variety. I know 3v is tougher, but I don't think that really applies for the 4.1's size? I guess what I want to know is, which steel do you think really embodies Survive! ?

Thanks everyone!
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Just saw your post.

I am so very much like you now. I am totally new to knives and am so obsessed with Survive! that I am always scouring the S!K sub forum and watching the same YouTube videos again and again.

Similarly, I don't own any Survive! knives yet but the first S!K I had on order happens to be the 7/7, just like you. A week ago I placed an order for the 4.1 too and from all the reviews I have gathered I wanted it to be in 3V. The thought that it has excellent edge retention and good corrosion resistance is more than enough to convince not to have my 4.1 in 20CV, not that 20CV is lousy because I am sure it is a darn great steel, but 3V is even better!

I plan to lay my hands on the 5.1 when it is available and I want it to be 3V too.
 
Get the 4.1 in 3v.

You will then end up with a necker in 20cv, a 4.5 in 3v, a 5 in 3v, and possibly a 3.5 in 20cv... oh wait, that's just me.
 
chiral.grolim said:
However if your use involves a lot of lateral stress (twisting during cuts into relatively hard material, etc.) or impact on the edge, or if you find you are better at putting an edge on the 3V than the 20CV, then the 3V edge will probably last longer.
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I will second this, especially the part about sharpening - if you find 3V easier to sharpen, that can't be understated, since your sharpening method has a significant effect on edge retention.

In general, choose 3V for toughness and 20CV for edge retention and corrosion resistance. Myself, I have a 3.5, so I went with 20CV, but any larger than that and you start creeping more steadily into 3V territory. IMO at least.
 
I love being around like-minded and obssessed people!

3v is the winner for me. Planning on ordering tonight.
 
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