Is S30V still considered a premium steel at HRC 56-58 in production knives?

cotdt

cotdt

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Oct 2, 2006
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Independant testers have found S30V in production blades to be around HRC 56-58, on the low end of manufacterer claims. How does this steel perform in this range? Would it be worth re-hardening the steel (and cryo) to HRC 61-62?

Or should I just buy the D2 version of the knife (HRC 60-62)?
 
As far as I know, not every production company HTs their steel the same, so I'm sure HRC will vary among different companies. I haven't had any problems with BM or Spyderco's S30V.
 
cotdt said:
Independant testers have found S30V in production blades to be around HRC 56-58, on the low end of manufacterer claims. How does this steel perform in this range? Would it be worth re-hardening the steel (and cryo) to HRC 61-62?

Or should I just buy the D2 version of the knife (HRC 60-62)?
Click to expand...

Link please? :)
 
By any measure, I would say that S30V is a premium steel. I've never had a problem with any knife, from any maker in S30V. It's good stuff. If given the choice, I would choose S30V over D2 every time.
 
Who tested which knives? Which company hardens S30V to only 56 HRC? Send your S30V knives to me if you don't like 'em, I'll take care of them. And do you know anything about heat treatment in general?
 
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If this is so, [slightly lower HRC] then it may be to avoid chipping. I heard CPMs30v needs a micropolished edge to be effectively chip resistant, anyway 2 or 3 points or so under 60 is not a problem with me I have several CPMs30v knives and they are excellent.
 
cotdt said:
Independant testers have found S30V in production blades to be around HRC 56-58, on the low end of manufacterer claims. How does this steel perform in this range? Would it be worth re-hardening the steel (and cryo) to HRC 61-62?

Or should I just buy the D2 version of the knife (HRC 60-62)?
Click to expand...

What knife are you looking at?

Who did the independent testing and on who’s blades?

Re-hardening?
 
Ryou said:
If this is so, [slightly lower HRC] then it may be to avoid chipping. I heard CPMs30v needs a micropolished edge to be effectively chip resistant, anyway 2 or 3 points or so under 60 is not a problem with me I have several CPMs30v knives and they are excellent.
Click to expand...

It doesn't need anything to resist chipping. I have never had a problem with S30V chipping. Not sure where all this chipping talk is coming from.
 
56 rock. is a little mild for this stuff.prem. steel but most i,ve seen is around 59 60 61 retreat of finished blade too complex. if you want the ultimate go to good maker and get him to send blade to a liq. nitro.quencher.with this treatment if correct;blade should cut 2to300% longer
 
First of all who does the testing, what method and equipment are they using and are their test devices calibrated? These factors can give slight variance in readings.

Then one must consider that a very high degree of hardness is not always the the optimum way to HT a steel depending on the steel and the application.
 
cotdt said:
Independant testers have found S30V in production blades to be around HRC 56-58, on the low end of manufacterer claims. How does this steel perform in this range? Would it be worth re-hardening the steel (and cryo) to HRC 61-62?

Or should I just buy the D2 version of the knife (HRC 60-62)?
Click to expand...

link?
 
Look at the numbers on this HT! They get and stay as sharp as any S30V I've ever used.
Umnumzaan6.jpg
 
Morales said:
Who tested which knives? Which company hardens S30V to only 56 HRC? Send your S30V knives to me if you don't like 'em, I'll take care of them. And do you anything about heat treatment in general?
Click to expand...

Actually it was 55 HRC, it's a very famous folding knife (see post above).

I'm thinking of buying one and sending the blade to Paul Bos to be re-hardened up 3 points.
 
S30V holds an edge really well. If Chris Reeve's are going out at 55HRC, I wouldn't even think to re-harden it. How much edge retention do you want? And why sacrifice toughness?
 
use the knife and if the steel doesn't perform like it's supposed to why dont u send it make .. if it's not hardened like it's supposed to be it's a manufacturing defect.
 
Chris Reeve had a part in the creation of S30V with Crucible Metals back in the day. He was the first to use it. I wouldn't doubt his knowledge of the steel one bit!
 
does anyone have a chart showing charpy or izod numbers for S30V at varying hardness? or does anyone at least know where the toughness trough and peak are?
 
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