Kershaw Shallot CPM S110V

[nozh2002]

For me this is first available for everybody model wich uses new CPM S110V steel.

Super alloy powder metallurgy steel with huge amount not only Vanadium, but Cobalt (first introduced for knives in VG10 as well as I know) and new unknown so far Niobium.

CPM S110V - C=2.8 Cr=14.0 V=9.0 Nb=3.5 Mo=3.5 Co=2.0

This, by Crucible, increase amount of abrasive carbides on 25% in comparison with CPM S90V. With hardness 58-61HRC - usual for most knife steel this make is kind of sandpaper steel - abrasive steel which contains Noibium, Cobalt, Vanadium a Chromium Carbides in if not soft, but normal steel matrix.

http://www.crucibleservice.com/datas... Rev 1.pdf
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Niobium

Quote from CDS:

"CPM S110V features the same high vanadium content as CPM S90V, plus the added contribution of 3.5% niobium, resulting in 25% greater volume of wearresistant carbides, including 50% more of the wear resistant MC type."

This may make it easy to sharpen at least with DMT - when I did my re-profiling before tests I had no any problem at all. However, probably, because of that hard carbides I was not able to make it hair whittling sharp, I did not put too much effort in it really, did not try diamond powder - only resharpen it twice with Green rouge. May be Cobalt or Niobium Carbides are harder then Chromium oxides in Green Rouge.

But edge retention is same as for ZDP189 - with better holding at the end of the test with more load. See Details here:

http://playground.sun.com/~vasya/Manila-Rope-Results.html

I am not sure is it my imagination, too thin handle, tiered palm or abrasive sades of the edge, but I feel like it need more effort to cut rope then for other knives.

As a knife - this is big brother of Leek. Same thin metal frame lock with AO, tougher blade then Leek has, S-curved (unfortunately, because I have to straighten it). Only my complain - too sharp angle on flipper - kind of bite in my index finger a bit.

L 3 1/2"
W 13/16"
T 1/8"
Wg 4.37 oz
NIB sharpness 5.5oz

In summary, I should say that Kershaw made another great knife and introduce first this new very interesting steel. I hope to see soon something like JYDII or Cyclone or bette SpecBamp with this steel - to me this will be tough great edge holding working steel for heavy load, heavy cutting I mean.

Thanks, Vassili.

 

[Peter Parker]

Nice review and good job on that blade that is one bad a$$ knife and especially in S110V!

 

[me2]

Sounds like a winner. I really like the flipper/no stud design. It allows a shallower sharpening with no loss of utility/ease of opening, and no grind marks on the thumb studs. Does Kershaw make other designs like this? I assume it has assisted opening of some sort.

To my knowledge, cobalt does not form carbides easily, and is usually dissolved in the iron matrix, much like nickel. I'm sure there are a few carbides with cobalt in them, but they are so small in number that they are not worth mentioning, again, much like nickel, or silicon. Niobium is on the other end of the spectrum, and forms carbides easier or as easily as Vanadium. This is the first time I've seen it in a cutlery steel. I remember that it is readily found in the microalloyed structural steels. Its been a while since I looked into that though. I have no idea about the wear resistance of its carbides, but in general it seems to behave much like Vanadium, so its carbides are probably similar in properties. Keep in mind that sometimes an element is added to an alloy because it does a similar job at a much lower cost, or when one is easier to get, like the Germans using Nitrogen instead of Chromium during the blockades of WWII. All in all, it seems an interesting alloy and we'll know in about a year if its worth the effort to make a knife out of it.

 

[nozh2002]

It has same property as Vanadium being on same column in Mendeleev table, but twice heavier. May be Crucible will start making CPM S???Nb steels?

I am wondering what this mean? - "including 50% more of the wear resistant MC type."

Thanks, Vassili.

 

[me2]

The MC type carbide is a generic form for the type of carbide Vanadium forms, where the M stands for one of whatever carbide forming element is available. M could also be Nb, or a couple of othere, depending on temperature and concentration. It sounds like the Nb combines with carbon even easier than V, thus increasing the amount of MC (VC or NbC) type carbides. From the looks of the alloy content, enough carbon is there to combine in carbides and still have a hard matrix. Any idea on the hardness? I would think a 60 HRc or higher would be possible. Also, the extra carbon grabbing elements help keep the Cr free to resist corrosion. Thats another use for V and Nb in some 300 series stainless steels. They are added as scavenger elements to tie up carbon and increase corrosion resistance.

 

[vic2367]

nice review,,,,many thanks

 

[nozh2002]

The MC type carbide is a generic form for the type of carbide Vanadium forms, where the M stands for one of whatever carbide forming element is available. M could also be Nb, or a couple of othere, depending on temperature and concentration. It sounds like the Nb combines with carbon even easier than V, thus increasing the amount of MC (VC or NbC) type carbides. From the looks of the alloy content, enough carbon is there to combine in carbides and still have a hard matrix. Any idea on the hardness? I would think a 60 HRc or higher would be possible. Also, the extra carbon grabbing elements help keep the Cr free to resist corrosion. Thats another use for V and Nb in some 300 series stainless steels. They are added as scavenger elements to tie up carbon and increase corrosion resistance.

Crucible sad 58-61HRC and better corrosion resistance then CPM S90V.
From the data sheet:
"CPM S110V is a high alloy martensitic stainless tool steel
produced by the Crucible Particle Metallurgy (CPM)
process. CPM S110V contains a high volume fraction of
both vanadium-rich and niobium-rich primary alloy carbides
for exceptionally good wear resistance compared to other
commercially available PM tool steels. It also offers better
corrosion resistance than 440C or CPM S90V"

"CPM S110V displays enhanced corrosion resistance
compared to other high hardness martensitic stainless
tool steels such as 440C and CPM S90V."

"Typical Application Hardness: 58/61 HRC"

From other hand on the chart maximim wear resistance shown at 63HRC and hardness table starts from 60HRC then maximum 63.5HRC

Thanks, Vassili.

 

[knarfeng]

Nice review Vassili. Thanks for sharing.

Question.
When I look at pictures of other Shallot models, the shallot blade seems to have a bit of recurve to it. But in your pictures the blade does not appear to have any recurve. Since I really don't care for recurves, I find this interesting. Does your Shallot have a recurve to the blade? or is the blade pretty straight?

Thanks,
Frank

 

[nozh2002]

Nice review Vassili. Thanks for sharing.

Question.
When I look at pictures of other Shallot models, the shallot blade seems to have a bit of recurve to it. But in your pictures the blade does not appear to have any recurve. Since I really don't care for recurves, I find this interesting. Does your Shallot have a recurve to the blade? or is the blade pretty straight?

Thanks,
Frank

I made it straight, as for all S-curved knives I have.

Thanks, Vassili

 

[Larrin]

It has 50% more of the MC type of carbide as opposed to the M7C3 carbides which are much softer. Carbides are about equal when it comes to making a steel more brittle, but having harder carbides means greater wear resistance with the same toughness.

 

[knarfeng]

I made it straight, as for all S-curved knives I have.

Thanks, Vassili

:thumbup::thumbup: Good move.

But it does take the knife off my want list. I really have no use for a recurve blade.

 

[The Mastiff]

Larrin, Do you know if this is the ZDP killer steel that crucible has been hinting about being in development for the last 2 years?

I'm pretty impressed with this steel so far but I haven't subjected it to any real tests other than some cardboard cutting and resharpening to get a feel of it.

In general I like the higher RC steels , good wear resistance, edge stability ( that's relative in this type steel I know). Likes are ZDP/M2/Super blue, 52100, etc

I care very little for chopping ability in knives, though I'm not really a full on darksider. I can live with a 20 degree included edge just fine

Thanks, Joe

 

[longbow]

I just rec. a Shallot with the 110v and it is pretty sharp. Different kind of sharpness though. It feels a little like a mini saw when it cuts through stuff. You can feel the carbides it seems when it does so. It cuts though I'll guarantee ya that. As for the actual size of the knife, and ergo's I'll stick with the Lahar. To me the Lahar is a far superior knife cause you can actually get a grip on it and it is just big beefy folder. I would have to say of all the knives I have bought the past couple of years the Lahar and the CQC7 are the ones I'll keep just due to the grippability factor. keepem sharp

 

[rnr]

:thumbup::thumbup: Good move.

But it does take the knife off my want list. I really have no use for a recurve blade.

Knarfeng: I don't like recurves either, but I picked up this knife. The recurve isn't all that pronounced. And taking it out shouldn't be that hard.

Right Vassili?
How much work is it to straighten the blade?

 

[Morrow]

:thumbup::thumbup: Good move.

But it does take the knife off my want list. I really have no use for a recurve blade.

I've avoided this one as well because of the blade shape. Maybe I'll get one just to straighten it out.

 

[nozh2002]

Knarfeng: I don't like recurves either, but I picked up this knife. The recurve isn't all that pronounced. And taking it out shouldn't be that hard.

Right Vassili?
How much work is it to straighten the blade?

Not too much really (making good edge on Busse take more effort), I did not count time - may be about hour or two. Ans I used DMT Coarse.

Thanks, Vassili.

 

[Joshua J.]

I guess this is a good place to show off my mod.

My hand far and away prefers a knife with a straight spine, or very long thumb ramp. So naturally with the Shallot getting the best modern steel available, I couldn't live with a stock handle.

It looks kind of funny when closed, and some of the lock face is exposed on the flipper, but I don't think it will affect the functionality of the knife.
When I had the thing apart, I gave it a full scrubdown with a Scotch-brite pad (if it's good enough for a $600 Benchmade, it's good enough for me), and I got the edge nice and thin on the belt sander. I'm hoping to get some good edge retention testing done pretty soon, just need an electronic scale for measurments (may as well do it properly the first time).

It will be neat to see how this stuff fairs vs. S90V.

 

[nozh2002]

I round a bit that pointy angle on the spine but did not flatten it completely. I also remove that sharp point on the flipper - it kind of poke my index finger all the time. I think it also looks bit better this way. May be I'll work on it bit more.

vs

Thanks, Vassili.

 

[Larrin]

Larrin, Do you know if this is the ZDP killer steel that crucible has been hinting about being in development for the last 2 years?

I'm pretty impressed with this steel so far but I haven't subjected it to any real tests other than some cardboard cutting and resharpening to get a feel of it.

In general I like the higher RC steels , good wear resistance, edge stability ( that's relative in this type steel I know). Likes are ZDP/M2/Super blue, 52100, etc

I care very little for chopping ability in knives, though I'm not really a full on darksider. I can live with a 20 degree included edge just fine

Thanks, Joe

I didn't know that they had been hinting at such a steel, all I know is I asked them at the Blade show if the S110V was to compete with ZDP and they told me no.

 

[nozh2002]

It is very abrasive steel - It holds edge well, but need more push to cut (may be I am wrong and may be this happen because this handle did not work well for power cuts).

Thanks, Vassili.