How's the S35VN steel?

I've only owned the s35vn. It is a terrific steel. Easy to sharpen and takes a nice edge. Stays sharp for quite a while.
 
I feel the S30V is slightly harder on my Umnum, but that could be my imagination. The S30V makes a different sound when hitting the sharp maker. I also think there is some variation in S35VN, with newer blades being a little harder, based on my four S35VN Sebenzas. In general though, there is no issue for most users, and the steel is excellent for a stainless blade. 2 years of edc on my S35VN 21 and I chipped it once, and maybe had to truly sharpen it three times other than touch-ups.

I would hazard a guess that the switch to S35VN was not totally driven by customer demands for an easy-to-sharpen knife, or the search for a better steel, it likely is easier to machine to a high degree of accuracy and finish, while using less consumables (belts, wheels, dies, etc) at the shop. If S35VN is easier for the customer to sharpen, it also was easier to make the blade to begin with, would be my guess. Having said that, if it helps keep the price where it needs to be, I'm all for the switch.
 
I think its been pretty much established that S35VN is totally fine and that anyone needing anything harder, or tougher, or whatever should buy a different brand. I kinda wish this topic was a 'sticky' because it comes up over and over and over. No disrespect to the poster, I had the same concerns and questions, but there really is not much to discuss anymore. CRK is not about a crazy variety of steel choices (that's kinda a Spyderco forte) and its not about the greatest edge ever (that's for Rockstead etc). CRK is really more about overall knife design than having the best possible steel in your pocket. S35VN is really a middle-of-the-road 'super steel'. It doesn't blow my mind in any of its abilities, but I think its an integral part of CRK getting the great fit, and gorgeous finish, of their blades, at a reasonable price. The best edge holding I get out of any of my knives is a Spyderco Sage 4 in S30V, so my personal choice to EDC a CRK has not much to do with edge durability. When I ordered my 25 a couple weeks back, the fact its S35VN never crossed my mind.
 
I totally get that. At least give times today I took my crk out and opened it, looked at it, held it and appreciated it. I know what you mean.
 
I think it could benefit from being 1-2 units harder.

By my limited experience, Spyderco S30V and Microtech S30V both seem to have better edge retention.

Not exactly apples-to-apples, I know. I'm going out on a limb saying that S30 and S35 should perform equally, all others things being equal.
 
I have several S30V & a few S35VN knives in both CRK and other makers. My first Seb was BG42. I sold it to buy a Lg and they had switched to S30V. I remember I liked the S30V better than the BG42. And I definitely like my S35VN Sebs better than my S30V Seb. I would say that difference in use/sharpening is almost unnoticeable. S35VN may be a tad easier to sharpen. On the charts it looks like S35 is tougher while sacrificing nothing so that's a bonus! I will say that it is my opinion that CRK does these steels overall best. Vs other makes (Strider & Spyderco are some I have used a bunch) I would say that edge retention is very comparable, CRKs are slightly easier to sharpen and certainly a little lower HT offers a tougher blade.
 
I like it better than S30V but BG42 is my favorite too.
 
It's ok. Never had any issues with it.

However when I got a spyderco southard I quickly noticed that s35vn is not as great a steel as what southard uses.
 
HwangJino said:
It's ok. Never had any issues with it.

However when I got a spyderco southard I quickly noticed that s35vn is not as great a steel as what southard uses.
Click to expand...

Did they make an S35VN Spyderco Southard? I thought they were all CTS 204P?
 
kidcongo said:
I feel the S30V is slightly harder on my Umnum, but that could be my imagination. The S30V makes a different sound when hitting the sharp maker. I also think there is some variation in S35VN, with newer blades being a little harder, based on my four S35VN Sebenzas. In general though, there is no issue for most users, and the steel is excellent for a stainless blade. 2 years of edc on my S35VN 21 and I chipped it once, and maybe had to truly sharpen it three times other than touch-ups.

I would hazard a guess that the switch to S35VN was not totally driven by customer demands for an easy-to-sharpen knife, or the search for a better steel, it likely is easier to machine to a high degree of accuracy and finish, while using less consumables (belts, wheels, dies, etc) at the shop. If S35VN is easier for the customer to sharpen, it also was easier to make the blade to begin with, would be my guess. Having said that, if it helps keep the price where it needs to be, I'm all for the switch.
Click to expand...

I too have an Umnumzaan in S30V and other CRKs in S35VN and find the only difference to be that S35VN is a bit easier to sharpen/hone.
 
Great balance between durability and edge holding. Not a super-steel but very easy to sharpen and keeps a serviceable edge for a long time of abuse.
 
No southard is cts, what I'm saying is I own both knives, both get similar amounts of sharpening and polishing, both will slice through test materials with ease (paper, wood, cardboard, proteins etc) but the s35vn dulls much quicker than cts.

I'm not sure what the benefit of s35vn is compared to cts, is it more corrosion proof? Not saying s35vn is a bad steel, but it does dull quicker and I'm not the only one who says this.
 
HwangJino said:
No southard is cts, what I'm saying is I own both knives, both get similar amounts of sharpening and polishing, both will slice through test materials with ease (paper, wood, cardboard, proteins etc) but the s35vn dulls much quicker than cts.

I'm not sure what the benefit of s35vn is compared to cts, is it more corrosion proof? Not saying s35vn is a bad steel, but it does dull quicker and I'm not the only one who says this.
Click to expand...

No one's saying S35VN is going to outperform 204P or 20CP or S90V or M390. Your results would be as expected.
 
HwangJino said:
No southard is cts, what I'm saying is I own both knives, both get similar amounts of sharpening and polishing, both will slice through test materials with ease (paper, wood, cardboard, proteins etc) but the s35vn dulls much quicker than cts.

I'm not sure what the benefit of s35vn is compared to cts, is it more corrosion proof? Not saying s35vn is a bad steel, but it does dull quicker and I'm not the only one who says this.
Click to expand...

It will be easier to sharpen, less chance of severe chip outs at low edge angles.

ALL steels are a mixture of properties.

http://www.smt.sandvik.com/en/products/strip-steel/strip-products/knife-steel/knife-steel-knowledge/

Here is a diagram from R. Landes (metallurgist and knife maker) showing edge angles and finish one would expect from different steels. It also shows micro structure of different steels.

http://www.hypefreeblades.com/files/schneiden.pdf

Sharpening for the steels capability can dramatic influence your performance as well as thinness behind the edge.

I know of a few makers that are getting tired of M390, S90V etc because of the difficulty in heat treating them (many want to do the heat treat themselves). The Austinisation temperatures are so high that the Knu-Foil welds to the blade making the blade useless and a wasted exercise as well as the amount of belts it goes through to do post heat treat grinding. They will do it, but expect to pay for it.

On a side note. CPM-S35VN in my experience with it in a custom piece has been great. It falls nicely in the middle of steel properties similar to CPM-145 or RWL-34 in my experience. A well balanced steel IMO.
 
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