knives with 420V / 440V steel

S

Seb

Joined
Oct 1, 2000
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188
I've already hears good things about theese steels, but didn't come across any knives using it. It's probably more used for custom blades... can anyone name some knives with this steel?

cu
Seb
 
My Kershaw Random Task has CPM 440V. I like it!
smile.gif
 
Originally posted by e_utopia:
Spyderco uses 440V (S60V, now), but does not really heat-treat it properly...
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That surprises me since I have heard contrary.

In his Spyderco Military review, http://www.geocities.com/Hollywood/Set/2292/Militaryrev.html
knife afficiondo, Fred Perrin, tips his hat to the fact that Spyderco is one company that properly heat treats it's CPM 440V while some other companies do not: "...We already tested some crappy CPM440V knives, even ones designed by famous designers! Spyderco knows how to treat their blades, and their designs are good designs first."


 
The end result of Spyderco's heat treat on the S60V (440V) is a blade in the 55RC range. This does make it a bit soft and probably weak compared to many stainless blades. Their have been a few reports of the blades going blunt quickly on hard materials (rolling because of low strength) and that it indents excessively on accidently very hard impacts.

The problem Spyderco has is that because of the price of their knives, people will use them *on average* much harder than more expensive knives. Thus quite probably they lowered the RC so as to prevent excessive chipping as the problems described above would most likely not be interpreted by the general public as nearly as negative as regular chipping.

Custom makers can afford to push much further on steels in blades as they often have direct contact with the buyers and can discuss exactly what the expectations are, you obviously can't do this with large volume production blades and thus have to make compromises in functionality in order get a decent tolerance in regards to durability.

Sal Glesser of course would be the authority on the how and why of their heat treat.

-Cliff
 
Originally posted by Full Tang Clan:
....knife afficiondo, Fred Perrin, tips his hat to the fact that Spyderco is one company that properly heat treats it's CPM 440V while some other companies do not: "
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I would disagree with Fred Perrin's and e_utopia terminology. I don't think that Spyderco vs. all others heat treat 440V properly or improperly. Basically what Cliff said. I will say, though, that the heat treat that Spyderco uses is too soft for me. And based on what I've read elsewhere of 440V's 'phenomenal' edge holding, I can only assume that Spyderco heat treats their 440V for something other than edge holding. Not that Spyderco's 440V edge holding is bad... it's just nothing special. IMO.

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iktomi
 
If you are looking for a production knife using one of these "super" steels, I would suggest checking out Kershaw's Ken Onion collaborations.

There are also a lot of good custom fixed blades that are reasonably priced when compared to a lot of production folders. I'm looknig for a small fixed blade myself.

Stay Sharp,
Sid
 
I have two of Corbet Sigman's Utility fixed blades in 440V. Corbet puts a rold edge ala Moran and the knives are extremely sharp! I had one with the swedge sharpened for about an inch and it went right thru the sheath! A Kydex lined sheath is in progress.
 
I think that Spyderco heat treats their 440v too soft. I speculate that they do it because they are in love with serrations. It is better to have the tips of serrations roll than chip. I wish they'd make their smooth blades harder.
 
I have a six inch blade tanto made out of 440v. It was made in Seki city and was a prodcution/custom so I really dont use it that much. That said, I can say that it has a razor edge. Even for a blade with a fairly thick hollow grind it holds extremely well..
 
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