GSO 4.1 Steel Type Poll

Silver Needle

Silver Needle

Joined
Jul 14, 2014
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What's up SURVIVORS!?

The general consensus seems to be 3v in the larger blades and 20cv for the smaller blades.

With the 4.1 possibly being the mediumest of the GSO's what is your preference of steel? Personal experience or hypothetical musings are all welcome.

I ordered my starter 4.1 in 20cv, but since I'm loving my 3.5 in 3v so much I'm wondering about the views of others.
 
I personally stick with 3v because I don't live in a humid area. It would be a different story if I was near saltwater or if I lived in a rainy area but I'm stuck in the damn desert.
 
I'm a bit of a nut, I have a 4.1 in 3V/20CV/M390 The M390 I just got from Standard (thanks!). So far I like all of them and in addition to conditions, i think use case comes into play too. If you want to cut food/string/rope etc then maybe the 20cv is the way to go. If you want to beat on wood all day long with it, maybe 3v? I think in the end, they are both great steels
 
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Standard78 said:
I personally stick with 3v because I don't live in a humid area. It would be a different story if I was near saltwater or if I lived in a rainy area but I'm stuck in the damn desert.
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Environment really isn't a concern. I realize 3v isn't stainless, but seems way easier to maintain than 1095.

redwood22 said:
I'm a bit of a nut, I have a 4.1 in 3V/20CV/M390 The M390 I just got from Standard (thanks!). So far I like all of them and in addition to conditions, i think use care comes into play too. If you want to cut food/string/rope etc then maybe the 20cv is the way to go. If you want to beat on wood all day long with it, maybe 3v? I think in the end, they are both great steels
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A nut? Yes, you have issues :p

The use aspect is good to note. It seems like I've learned a lot about steel since I placed my starter orders. If I knew then what I know now I probably would have gone 3v.
 
My 7/7 starter will be my first 3v blade im excited to see what all the fuss is about. The humidity is pretty thick here but not such as on coast lines. So my 3.5 starter (main intentions will be an edc) I went with a 20cv blade. I would like a 4.1 with either steel though if your giving one away. I'm not picky. :)
 
Texas_toothpick said:
My 7/7 starter will be my first 3v blade im excited to see what all the fuss is about. The humidity is pretty thick here but not such as on coast lines. So my 3.5 starter (main intentions will be an edc) I went with a 20cv blade. I would like a 4.1 with either steel though if your giving one away. I'm not picky. :)
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What a kind offer. When I start giving away GSO's you'll be at the top of my list :)
 
Silver Needle said:
Environment really isn't a concern. I realize 3v isn't stainless, but seems way easier to maintain than 1095.


A nut? Yes, you have issues :p

The use aspect is good to note. It seems like I've learned a lot about steel since I placed my starter orders. If I knew then what I know now I probably would have gone 3v.
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Well rust wise it is better than 1095 but it's definitely harder to sharpen. I think you'll be just fine with that 20cv 4.1. I'm still tempted to get a new 3.5 in it just because I highly doubt that I would ever be able to stress it to the point to where it would break. I baby the hell out of things so I shouldn't even talk!
 
I'm starting to regret my order choices. I'm really wishing I had got a 4.7, or 4.1 in 3v, in conjunction with my 7/7 and 3.5.
 
I ordered a 7/7 3v camo g-10 , and a 3.5 20cv blk&red g-10.

Wishing I had ordered a 5.1, 4.7, or 4.1 too. Actually wishing I could order all of them but my wallet won't allow this.
 
Man you have good taste. The stuff you ordered sounds great. Quite a pair. If you give Mrs. Toothpick some of the extra special loving and find some extra change, the 4.1 is still available to preorder. I bet you already knew that.

I'm having a really hard time not blowing the money I'm saving for a GSO 10 on a 4.1 in 3v before they go into production.
 
3V is my vote for any blade except a dive/water knife. Im wishing for a 3V folder like a Spydie PM2. One day maybe I will see a 3V S!K folder
 
Thanks, Riz.

I can't remember, but would Ellie give any kind of warning before a model goes into production and is no longer available to order?
 
Riz2530 said:
3V is my vote for any blade except a dive/water knife. Im wishing for a 3V folder like a Spydie PM2. One day maybe I will see a 3V S!K folder
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In the same camp, although I'm excited to try out the 2.7 in CPM-20CV as that "water" knife. Kind of secretly hoping there's eventually a 3V run on the 2.7.
 
I've never used the 20cv, but I my experiences with 3V have all been very positive. It takes a hell of a lot for it to rust, and unless you are in a predominantly salt water environment you will be fine. I do think that we will rarely ever stress these super steels to the limits they are meant to go in our general usage. I beat the hell out of my 4.1 in 3V yesterday through some extremely hard wood and after wiping tree guts off it, still looks brand new. That toughness you get from 3V gives you a lot of confidence in the tool, and I wouldn't do the same thing I did with my 4.1 with some of my other knives.

When saying 3V is extremely hard to sharpen I don't find to be the case at all based on my experience; just strop it. 3V takes takes very well to stropping with compound, and you really shouldn't let your blade go that far that you need to give it a full resharpening and I can see where that would be a pain. Just hone it and it makes like easy. Otherwise really research what works best with your steel because some stones and sharpeners just don't work well with some steels. If you are resharpening 3V use DMT stones.

3V really is a great steel that merits the little extra work you may have to put into it. It is one of those few times you can buy some peace of mind.
 
Texas_toothpick said:
Should be able to check the production schedule.
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Yes indeed. But in this case I'm trying to wait, but still have the option to preorder before the status changes to "in production" and I'm not able to order any more.

Wow, you guys have some great insight here. My "need" for another 4.1 is growing...........
 
Grey Falcon said:
I've never used the 20cv, but I my experiences with 3V have all been very positive. It takes a hell of a lot for it to rust, and unless you are in a predominantly salt water environment you will be fine. I do think that we will rarely ever stress these super steels to the limits they are meant to go in our general usage. I beat the hell out of my 4.1 in 3V yesterday through some extremely hard wood and after wiping tree guts off it, still looks brand new. That toughness you get from 3V gives you a lot of confidence in the tool, and I wouldn't do the same thing I did with my 4.1 with some of my other knives.

When saying 3V is extremely hard to sharpen I don't find to be the case at all based on my experience; just strop it. 3V takes takes very well to stropping with compound, and you really shouldn't let your blade go that far that you need to give it a full resharpening and I can see where that would be a pain. Just hone it and it makes like easy. Otherwise really research what works best with your steel because some stones and sharpeners just don't work well with some steels. If you are resharpening 3V use DMT stones.

3V really is a great steel that merits the little extra work you may have to put into it. It is one of those few times you can buy some peace of mind.
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Thanks grey.
 
As far as humidity effecting 3v I don't think it does unless you don't clean you blade after use. Even then it's only stains that you can steel wool off. But if you have a rust preventer wipe you can stop even that. I carry a small thing of clp wipes in my pack my blades look new besides scratches.
 
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