Is S35vn worth waiting for?

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PoundHound

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Jul 13, 2007
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Since there are a couple of higher end knives still on my "buy" list, my question to you all is :
Is it worth waiting for S35vn to be used in the manufacturing of these knives one wants, or should one snag the good old S30v's, etc when one can?:confused:
 
I have s35vn on my new David Mosier custom flipper. I'm impressed with the edge. Its better than any steel I have ever used. it will be THE steel all custom makers will be using in the next year. There is nothing wrong with S30v just like there is nothing wrong with 154cm. Its just a matter of how picky you are about the steel and the advancements they made with it.

Spyrobladegrindcarbon.jpg

scary sharp!
Spyrobladereflection.jpg
 
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stormyone said:
That sure is a pretty blade.
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Thanks. It slices as good as it looks. Its one of those edges you have to respect. Just touch your skin and your bleeding. I was cutting heavy tow straps with it on Sunday and it cut it like a razor blade. Never showed any sign of wear on the blades edge after. It holds a edge.
 
PoundHound said:
Since there are a couple of higher end knives still on my "buy" list, my question to you all is :
Is it worth waiting for S35vn to be used in the manufacturing of these knives one wants, or should one snag the good old S30v's, etc when one can?:confused:
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If you wanted to buy a Sebenza in S35VN, you have the option of ordering directly from CRK. No real waiting (aside from Blade at this point). As noted, many custom makers will use S35VN readily upon request. If you want to use the knife then get whatever you like, if you are going to toss it behind a glass case and save it for eternity, it wouldn't really matter.
 
I have a Dustin Turpin knife in S35VN and it is a very sharp knife, but I haven't used it to cut anything but some newspaper. Of course it could be the way it is sharpened as much as the steel. I will be getting an Ultimate Equipment M1911 folder in a couple weeks that will have the S35VN blade steel and I will be able to tell then as this knife will be used. That Turpin Repentance is just too nice to use!!:thumbup::)
 
I'm going to wait until Buck starts using it in their custom shop offerings.Then I might order me up a new 110.
 
PoundHound said:
Since there are a couple of higher end knives still on my "buy" list, my question to you all is :
Is it worth waiting for S35vn to be used in the manufacturing of these knives one wants, or should one snag the good old S30v's, etc when one can?:confused:
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In production blades I don't think you will be able to tell the difference between S30V and S35VN so if you really like a knife then go ahead and get it. :)
 
Production knives?
How about the likes of Chris Reeve and Strider, etc?
Is S30v going to suck in comparison?
 
I purchased a large Sebenza a few months ago in S35V steel, and honestly cannot tell it apart from the S30V Sebenzas I had before it. It did seem to come out of the box a little sharper, but that could simply be a little more effort paid during the sharpening process.

My knife usage is moderate.

I have 2 Striders in S30V, and they are tough knives. I tried to reprofile one and it took forever and I just basically gave up on it. The only noticeable difference is the Strider I have with S110V steel - now thats a measurable difference - even to a moderate user like me.
 
PoundHound said:
Production knives?
How about the likes of Chris Reeve and Strider, etc?
Is S30v going to suck in comparison?
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Like I said, you won't be able to tell the difference in performance between them, they are too close.

So if you want S35VN because you think it will perform better then you will be surprised when it doesn't, given equal HT, hardness and tempering.

The improvements were to make it easier to work with and finish, not to improve the performance.
 
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Jeesh Mystro, you were hot and bothered with the REX121 a few moinths ago.... I'm glad you've landed on S35VN instead.
Rex wasn't worth a tinkers damn.
 
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CRK uses it - in their Nyala fixed blade and the recent Sebenza production. Probably later in the summer for the Umnumzaan. My Nyala is still sharp after some use - but so are my Buck 408 Kalinga Pro, 192AG Vanguard, and 895 Buck/Simonich Raven Legacy. My Gerber Stag Freeman took some initial work to get sharp - and didn't seem to hold up quite as well - could be it's heat treatment. All three of the Bucks mentioned, and that Freeman, are S30V; the Nyala is S35VN. S30V is still my favorite steel.

Stainz
 
Most users will not be able to tell the difference. S35VN is slightly better in toughness vs S30V. The edge holding is so slight its negligible.

The difference is in its machinability which is a little easier than S30V. If you want a noticible difference get a S90V or S110V. They will hold an edge way longer but will be a royal PIA to sharpen.
 
pierced said:
Jeesh Mystro, you were hot and bothered with the REX121 a few moinths ago.... I'm glad you've landed on S35VN instead.
Rex wasn't worth a tinkers damn.
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The brittleness scared the hell out of me plus the corrosion resistance. I reprofiled a Strider SMF with great results. It was as hard a steel I ever care to mess with.

SMFedge.jpg
 
Ankerson said:
Like I said, you won't be able to tell the difference in performance between them, they are too close.

So if you want S35VN because you think it will perform better then you will be surprised when it doesn't, given equal HT, hardness and tempering.

The improvements were to make it easier to work with and finish, not to improve the performance.
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My understanding was, S35VN was created to cut down on the brittleness and chipping of S30V(and, be easier to work and finish). So, I would consider that improved performance.
 
Danbo said:
My understanding was, S35VN was created to cut down on the brittleness and chipping of S30V(and, be easier to work and finish). So, I would consider that improved performance.
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From the end user POV there won't be any noticeable difference in the 2 steels at typical hardness, that's just the way it is.

There isn't any brittleness and chipping of S30V if it's HT properly.
 
I think there's prolly a lot of old timers still using the super steel 440c with no complaints. I say get what you want now and don't worry about steel too much.
 
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