How do you guys like CTS-XHP?

jstn

jstn

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I have limited experience with the steel, but I am considering picking up a blade in it to really use. I have read a lot of reviews and comparisons with varying results. Some have it a bit above S30V in edge retention, some have it a bit below. I saw Ankerson's test put it in Cat 5 I believe. I have also seen it compared to a higher hardness 440C and a stainless D2. How accurate are these comparisons? Is it worth the extra $$ to pick up something like a Manix 2 in XHP over S30V? I would really like to know how the XHP compares to S30V in terms of toughness. Thanks

BTW- My use for this knife will be everyday cutting, maybe a folder to take along to the woods in addition to a fixed blade, nothing crazy. I mostly just to try out the steel in a platform I enjoy.
 
I only have one knife in xhp, the Manix2, and it blows away s30v imo. I definitely think it's worth the extra money.
 
Thanks K.O.D. You likely just pushed me over the edge to buy. Have you found it to be tougher than S30V?
 
Ankerson said:
Slightly tougher than S30V, finer grained.
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Which makes for a more uniform and potentially keener edge.

I believe it is slightly more stain resistant as well. As far as cutting performance goes, it's a direct improvement over S30V - making it even better is that Spyderco seems to use it almost exclusively on knives oriented towards cutting performance (FFG models).
 
Comeuppance said:
Which makes for a more uniform and potentially keener edge.

I believe it is slightly more stain resistant as well. As far as cutting performance goes, it's a direct improvement over S30V - making it even better is that Spyderco seems to use it almost exclusively on knives oriented towards cutting performance (FFG models).
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Depends on the media being cut and edge finish really.

Can go either way really.

Coarse edge and abrasive materials S30V will beat it due to the vanadium content.

XHP likes finer edges and it does well with them.
 
It's a great steel!
If You like S30V, it would be surprising if You didn't like CTS-XHP!

I have one knife in XHP, a Bark River Woodland Special and it's a mighty good knife!

View attachment 425700

Regards
Mikael
 
watanabe said:
I have a manix 2 with this steel and found it prone to chipping.
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Initially, microchipping was the case with the above Woodland Special, but that changed after a few sharpenings and a more polished edge.
That said, it could go up to 5 weeks of daily use, before I needed to resharpen.


Regards
Mikael
 
It's a fine steel, but I wouldn't pay extra to get a knife in it over S30v, as the performance is too close from my experience (just a Techno in XHP)
 
Thanks for all the good info guys! It sounds like XHP is certainly worth giving a shot.
 
Sharpens up nice. Takes a clean polish. Haven't managed to chip it out yet. At commercial hardness it likes to roll or flatten at the edge of the edge rather than break.
 
I like CTS-XHP quite a bit. As others have mentioned, it performs well with a polished edge. Between the two steels I think it should really come down more to what type of edge you prefer: for a coarser edge go for S30V, if you prefer a finer edge go for CTS-XHP.
 
and a stainless D2
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It is a stainless D2. Look at the composition and compare it to D2. It is the same but has more chrome. It is powder steel 440XH ( stainless D2)

Being a powder steel it will have a finer grain structure than D2 or 440XH but it won't have the large, harder vanadium carbides that S30V has so when really getting down to big cutting jobs, or when cutting abrasive materials XHP does well, but not as well as the vanadium rich steels with their larger carbides.

S30V has more abrasive wear resistance than many give it credit for.
 
The only thing I don't like about XHP is that it's difficult to get in the sizes I need.

I understand why the literature describes it as a "stainless D2" from a chemistry standpoint, but that's a really misleading and unfortunate comparison. I find it much tougher both in terms of general impact and micro-chipping at the edge than D2, and much easier to get a truly keen crisp edge on. It's also much more corrosion resistant and takes a fine polish beautifully. It's not really any more difficult to sharpen, especially since it's stability lends well to supporting thin geometry at/behind the edge. The edge retention is very good; the few steels that beat it significantly in pure edge-retention are nearly always much less tough. I'd choose XHP over D2 for a kitchen, field, hunting or "hard use" blade any day.

It's a big step up from 440C and even CPM-154, and holds basically a tie with Elmax as my two favorite stainless cutlery steels. HT is a bit tricky; I recommend seeking out makers or manufacturers who have Peters' do their HT... they really have it nailed.
 
james terrio said:
The only thing I don't like about XHP is that it's difficult to get in the sizes I need.

I understand why the literature describes it as a "stainless D2" from a chemistry standpoint, but that's a really misleading and unfortunate comparison. I find it much tougher both in terms of general impact and micro-chipping at the edge than D2, and much easier to get a truly keen crisp edge on. It's also much more corrosion resistant and takes a fine polish beautifully. It's not really any more difficult to sharpen, especially since it's stability lends well to supporting thin geometry at/behind the edge. The edge retention is very good; the few steels that beat it significantly in pure edge-retention are nearly always much less tough. I'd choose XHP over D2 for a kitchen, field, hunting or "hard use" blade any day.

It's a big step up from 440C and even CPM-154, and holds basically a tie with Elmax as my two favorite stainless cutlery steels. HT is a bit tricky; I recommend seeking out makers or manufacturers who have Peters' do their HT... they really have it nailed.
Click to expand...


That settles it! :thumbup:

I'll start using the Woodland in my EDC rotation again! :D


Regards
Mikael
 
Ankerson, thanks, your steel reviews are the best out there and have prompted me to try out many different steels!
 
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