If your favorite knife that you own is in S30V and you came across one for sale in 20CV, would u buy it again to "upgrade" or not worth the $?

I would definitely pay the increase in price normally. Usually when you get the upgrade in steel, you also get different handle material or color combinations but I'm the Kapara that you're looking at for DLT it just looks like they actually downgraded the handles to g10 from the carbon fiber so I don't quite get switching to the 20 CV version.
 
$250+ is pushing my usual single-knife price range but I absolutely have backups for models in know I like. Bonus points if the backup is a steel upgrade. Benchmade in particular taught me to get backups for things that might not be in production next year but I've currently got backups for the following in various sprint/limited edition/dealer exclusive steels:

  • Benchmade 710 - D2 standard, plus M390, CPM-M4
  • Benchmade 730 - 154CM standard, plus M390, S30V
  • Spyderco PM2 - S30V standard, plus S35VN, M390, CTS-204P, CPM-M4
  • Spyderco Manix 2 - S30V standard gifted to a friend, plus 20CV, M390, CPM Cruwear
  • Endura 4 - VG-10 standard foolishly sold, plus K390, 20CV
  • Delica 4 - VG-10 standard lost to security, plus HAP40, M390, S30V, K390

Yeah, I could've saved some of that money and put it into a handful of nicer knives, but my personal experience with one PM2, one 710, and one Sebenza was that the PM2 and 710 got carried a lot more, so why not buy more flavors of what I actually use the most?

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I hate S30V, I've had several bad experiences with chipping. However, I had the chance to get a Kapara in 20cv for a reasonable price, but didn't pull the trigger. I'm hoping one comes out in CTS-XHP. I doubt it.

Normally I would pay extra (within reason) but M390/20CV/204p has been a mixed bag for me. Some has been great, many have not been worthy of the name, heat treated below ideal hardness.
 
It depends on how you feel about buying/owning variations and duplicates of the same knife. For some people that is how they collect so it's an easy yes for them. For me, they'd have to either do a different grind on the blade or some fantastic etchings on the blade before I'd buy the same knife, when there are so many other knives out there.
 
Going by Larrin's ratings, 20CV is a modest upgrade in edge retention over S30V. Going but Pete's data from Cedric and Ada, 20CV could be a very noticeable upgrade.

If I did not already have a back-up, I would definitely buy the new knife. On the other hand, if I did already have a back-up, it would depend on my financial situation.
 
I dunno. Depends on what else was on my want list at the time. Also depends on available finances.
 
Well that’s exactly what I did!
I had a Buck vantage pro in s30v, great knife and then skblades came out with one in 20cv and brown micarta handle. I jumped on it like a toad on a june bug. Then about a year later a botm one came out with s35vn blade and I jumped on it even faster. If one comes out in magnacut you would see me move like I was shot out of a cannon. Lol
 
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I have the Kapara in s30v and I really enjoy the knife as is.
I had the chance to buy the cv20 and passed on that one. I prefer s30v over cv20 myself.

But if you want it because you are curious or want it then go for it.
 
Absolutely not. I would guess that guys chasing steel has far more to do with cool factor than with any actual need. Not that there is anything wrong with that.
 
Skywalker31 said:
$250+ is pushing my usual single-knife price range but I absolutely have backups for models in know I like. Bonus points if the backup is a steel upgrade. Benchmade in particular taught me to get backups for things that might not be in production next year but I've currently got backups for the following in various sprint/limited edition/dealer exclusive steels:

  • Benchmade 710 - D2 standard, plus M390, CPM-M4
  • Benchmade 730 - 154CM standard, plus M390, S30V
  • Spyderco PM2 - S30V standard, plus S35VN, M390, CTS-204P, CPM-M4
  • Spyderco Manix 2 - S30V standard gifted to a friend, plus 20CV, M390, CPM Cruwear
  • Endura 4 - VG-10 standard foolishly sold, plus K390, 20CV
  • Delica 4 - VG-10 standard lost to security, plus HAP40, M390, S30V, K390

Yeah, I could've saved some of that money and put it into a handful of nicer knives, but my personal experience with one PM2, one 710, and one Sebenza was that the PM2 and 710 got carried a lot more, so why not buy more flavors of what I actually use the most?

ENneQLc.jpg
Click to expand...
Buddy you are missing PM2 in cruwear and a manix 2 in Maxamet. You're welcome 😁
 
If I was in an environment that easily rusted my blades, and S30V wasn't corrosion resistant enough, then I'd make the switch. Otherwise, I wouldn't bother because it wouldnt be a meaningful upgrade for my needs.
 
I wouldn’t buy another just for the difference between S30V & 20CV.
…unless…..if I was already toying with the idea of getting a second as a backup, or for customization or something, then yeah, maybe the different steel would be enough of a push.

And that’s exactly where I’m at, almost. I have a gen 1.0 Kapara. Love it. And I’ve toyed with the idea of grabbing one in 20CV for aftermarket scales & etc. I guess I‘m not on fire enough to move forward though.
 
I would buy it and keep it as a backup. Like many others, I have duplicates of my favorites in different steels (0452s), and different colors (Eklipses)
 
You’ve been carrying the s30v version every day, what problems have you noticed with the steel?
 
If it's your favorite knife...... Sure, go for it.

Otherwise I don't see the point.
 
I wouldn’t because youd be going from carbon fiber to G10. It it was other way around? Maybe.. but s30v to 20cv and a downgrade in scales is nothing gained or lost net. Also, sounds like you have a sentimental attachment to the s30v version and it’s doing what you need. I wouldn’t change that.
 
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