How well does CRK's s30v hold it's edge?

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CrimsonTideShooter

CrimsonTideShooter

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My fiancé is about to get me a large micarta seb, so I'm curious to know what kind of performance I should expect from it. It's not going to sit in a safe, so this actually matters to me. :D
 
This should be about a 16 page thread of disagreements.

I'll give you the honest answer. It holds it's edge fine for some, but not for others. That's about the best answer you're going to get.
 
If someone says that it doesn't hold it's edge well would you return the knife/prevent you from acquiring it?
 
somber said:
If someone says that it doesn't hold it's edge well would you return the knife/prevent you from acquiring it?
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Nope. I actually enjoy sharpening so it wouldn't matter to me. It's going to be an engagement gift so I'm going to appreciate it no matter what.

I just want to know what to expect, so I know my knife is par for the course. I'm pretty much only asking out of curiosity and excitement.
 
S30V has a somewhat unique reputation for losing a 'hair whittling' edge quickly, but then making the best of the edge that remains. This comes up repeatedly. Lots of complaints from people who're disappointed that it won't shave, but then notice that it just keeps on cutting tough materials (like cardboard/wood/leather/etc). I've noticed it too.

CRK's heat treat is on the conservative side, too (around RC 58). That allows the edge to 'absorb' some damage without chipping, but instead rolling.
 
I'd like to think it would hold it's edge better than most other production S30V knives, but I personally find it hard to get used to that "toothy" working edge, as I prefer a razor in my pocket at all times:thumbup:.

Still, when you compare it to much of the low end non-vanadium steels in the market, it does quite well.
 
Noctis3880 said:
I'd like to think it would hold it's edge better than most other production S30V knives, but I personally find it hard to get used to that "toothy" working edge, as I prefer a razor in my pocket at all times:thumbup:.
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Me too.

I'm still a little on the fence, about whether I like S30V or not. I'm in the process of convexing the edge on one of my S30V folders, and it's going pretty well. BUT, it's still driving me just a wee bit crazy, in trying to make it as razor sharp as I'd like. So very close to being there, but not quite... But, I can say it's quite a bit better than when I started, so that's moving in the right direction, I guess. :p
 
I've been using my small Sebenza to cut paper, tape, styrofoam sheets and cardboard everyday for about a decade. I usually need to sharpen it about 3 or 4 times a year to keep it "sharp enough." I have razors for jobs that require a razor sharp blade.
 
CrimsonTideShooter said:
My fiancé is about to get me a large micarta seb, so I'm curious to know what kind of performance I should expect from it. It's not going to sit in a safe, so this actually matters to me. :D
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For that money buy a DDR HTM Gunmammer. IMO no comparison and I own both. IMO edge holding is very good on the Sebenza. It was my EDC for 3 years until the gunhammer took its place. Now I rotate 3 of Darrel Ralphs knives and occasionally carry my Spyderco Military.
 
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personally i would rate crk s30 as less of an edge holder than spydies. my experience with s30 rates it as a decent stainless but in my book no super performer.--dennis
 
DDR htm wha?? Post a link or a pic please? I'm interested.


Tiger84 said:
For that money buy a DDR HTM Gunmammer. IMO no comparison and I own both. IMO edge holding is very good on the Sebenza. It was my EDC for 3 years until the gunhammer took its place. Now I rotate 3 of Darrel Ralphs knives and occasionally carry my Spyderco Military.
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Welll... I know I'm going to get crap for this, but I'll be honest.

I wouldn't use or carry that particular Sebenza because it would carry heavy sentimental value for me. I'd buy another one myself when I got the chance and would use that one instead.

As far as the steel goes, Reeve helped create it so I'm sure he knows how to make the stuff work. I like S30v.
 
It's softer than some other S30V heat treats like Spyderco's and Striders. Sharpens up quicker and maintains a working edge for quite a while. It'll serve great for an edc knife for most people.
 
Someone rate spyderco or benchmade's s30v over crk's. For me, I can't really tell the difference. They all get dull pretty fast during normal cutting.
 
I'll have to echo the sentiments of others - CRK's steel seems to be a little more softer, but the trade-off is that it's easier to maintain the edge. A few passes on a leather strop or ceramic hone is enough to get a good edge again.

Rest assured, you're going to enjoy your new Micarata Sebenza.
 
How does a CRK S30V hold it's edge? With panache, of course! For what they cost, what would you expect?

Seriously, at least as sharp as my Spydie Natives were when new - probably similar to BM's, too - and almost as sharp as the razors in S30V from Buck, my standard of comparison and wear. The multiple examples of the comparison marques behaved similarly, with my one CRK example, September's new StarTac Umnumzaan purchase, perhaps not typical. My single softest S30V blade, ie, demonstrating edge-roll probably due to a low Rc, is a Gerber Freeman fb. My only other CRK is a Nyala - in S35VN - thus far, quite a long term edge-keeper. Until displaced by something the likes of S35VN, S30V will remain my favorite basically stainless upgrade steel.

Stainz
 
My sebenza was a bit on the soft side, and did not hold an edge nearly as well as my other S30V blades from Buck, Benchmade, and Spyderco when sharpened to the same angle and edge polish.

Chris Reeve recommends sharpening it at 20 degrees per side, and when I sent mine in for him to look at it, he measured it at 14 degrees per side. So it is apparent that at that hardness (mine measured at Rc 58) it does not do as well at lower angles. I don't know how it would do at the recommended angle. I prefer lower angles, so I sent my blade to Paul Bos for a heat treat to higher Rc.
 
Mine holds up comparably to the Buck, Benchmade and Spyderco examples that I have, meaning not a lot of difference in the use I have given them. I suppose if I did a detailed comparison measuring number of cuts in the same media and the force of the cuts I would see a difference, but in day-to-day use it is not much. Given the range of Rc that all of these companies target, you will always see some variability in whose actually holds an edge longer. But if I were to bet on it, I would put my money on Buck.
 
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