m390 sebenza?

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rkgp2112

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Apr 8, 2014
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i am using my killer whale today and i thought about ht. i don't discover any problems with it on my s35vn knives. but what i watched in vininull's sebenza test upset me very much. when i look at any s35vn blade, i'm thinking about sebenza. i like the design very much, but the performance:( too soft. is there a plan to make m390 sebenzas? it is really the time to start.
 
My general understanding of the matter is the CR as chose to intentionally HT to emphasize ease of maintenance, not maximal cutting performance, so even if he chose to move to M390, it would be highly likely that he would HT M390 to a similar emphasis. So ultimately the question would M390, HTed to a similar ease of maintenance, actually be an improvement over S35VN? I honestly have no idea. Anyone?
 
Do I understand corrrectly that you have not personally tried a CRK with S35Vn and have formulated your opinion based on the test of another?

I would urge caution here as there are numerous "tests" out there that are highly suspicious.

I am NO fan of any S##V series steel (S35Vn included) but I have a CRK in my collection and must say it is a fantastic performer. Depending on how you actually use a knife, I would STRONGLY suggest you try it yourself if the design appeals to you.

There is a LOT more to a knife's performance than steel/heat treat. Yup, it is very important, but I'd take a nearly perfectly designed and built knife with a steel I dont really care for over a poorly concieved knife with the greatest alloy/heat treat known to man. I hope this concept means something to whoever reads it, I really believe it has more merit than many give it.
 
unit said:
Do I understand corrrectly that you have not personally tried a CRK with S35Vn and have formulated your opinion based on the test of another?

I would urge caution here as there are numerous "tests" out there that are highly suspicious.

I am NO fan of any S##V series steel (S35Vn included) but I have a CRK in my collection and must say it is a fantastic performer. Depending on how you actually use a knife, I would STRONGLY suggest you try it yourself if the design appeals to you.

There is a LOT more to a knife's performance than steel/heat treat. Yup, it is very important, but I'd take a nearly perfectly designed and built knife with a steel I dont really care for over a poorly concieved knife with the greatest alloy/heat treat known to man. I hope this concept means something to whoever reads it, I really believe it has more merit than many give it.
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:thumbup: :thumbup:
 
I have two CRKs, both with S35VN and both perform adequately.
Of course I don't pound them thru sheet metal and cinder blocks either....
 
rkgp2112 said:
i am using my killer whale today and i thought about ht. i don't discover any problems with it on my s35vn knives. but what i watched in vininull's sebenza test upset me very much. when i look at any s35vn blade, i'm thinking about sebenza. i like the design very much, but the performance:( too soft. is there a plan to make m390 sebenzas? it is really the time to start.
Click to expand...

Your best bet would be to try one for yourself and base your opinions on that.
 
I've had good quality folders in both steels. Given the choice, I'd take M390 for its edge-holding ability...
There are other factors to consider, however.
 
rkgp2112 said:
no, vininull's test cant be suspicious. no way.
Click to expand...

Are you refering to the one where he apparently re-profiled the edge from a convex edge like CRK recommends, to what appears as a fairly accute V edge, then cuts up a bunch of cardboard from an unknown source?

If so, I could point out a few flaws in the test design.

My point is, if you want to get the most out of a blade, it might be best to test it with a task YOU perform on materials YOU actually cut and do so with edge geometry that the blade was optimized for. Only then do you start tweaking the geometry (or not) toward optimizing it for your own needs. Baring this, the "Test" I watched only demonstrated that the guy that re-profiled that edge produced a less than ideal tool for the job;)

No argument that there are other fantastic steels and heat treats available, but if you ignore edge geometry, or pair up a bad combination for the tasks you wil perform, even M390 will underwhelm you.

Regardless, cardboard is a HORRIBLE test medium. There are lots of different grades of cardboard that utilize different binders and have different allowances for conaminants (like silica, fiberglass, and metals). Test a basic steel with food grade and it may do better than an amazing steel with a highly contaminated batch of industrial grade card board. What can you deduce from such testing?...not much.
 
I wish crk would offer different steels as an option... I'd love an m4 sebenza... Or imagine a 3v blade... Oh Jesus. Maybe one day.
 
B75P is the only other steel I want to see in a Sebbie considering BG42 is almost impossible to come by now.
 
I'm not a Sebenza guy. I have handled them with cash in hand, and walked away with a TiSpine instead. This post isn't rationalization of a Sebenza buy, or any fanboying.

Over time, use, and touching up of my blades, I've actually come to a place of thinking similar to Reeves'. I've used my folders enough to clearly see that I don't need steels that retain an edge better than S35VN. My preference is to be within a range of steels that balance corrosion resistance, edge retention, and ease of maintenance. Where a guy may determine that a particular steel underperforms in a vaguely determined way, it may excel in other areas. S35VN is an outstanding balance, in my opinion. That, Elmax, and S30V are a group of steels for which I have developed a lot of enthusiasm.
 
i would buy a sebenza in m390 in a heartbeat. its the question thats been on the tip of my tongue, when will it happen? i hope its a "when" and not an "if" anyway...
 
interesting, but you're talking not about edge holding of s35vn from CR, right? i mean you walked away with tispine, so you tested other s35vn ht's... am thinking if someone can make some cool blade for sebenza...
 
I use mine all day. It works just like anything else I use in the s30v, 154 range. Seriously I use it a lot and it really holds a great edge that is easy strop and durable. Try it. Its good stuff and not as toothy as the others mentioned. More uniform imo. If one came out in a super steel I know the heAt treat would be spot on Like usual.
 
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CRK is working at capacity now, even after moving to a larger factory space. Chris Reeve himself has participated in developing cutlery steels which have become popular industry-wide. This doesn't leave him with much interest in flavor-of-the-month materials. But I imagine most of you know this, which is why the thread was placed in the General Knife Discussion rather than Chris Reeve Knives.

The topic is worth discussing, of course. New materials are developed regularly, you can look to Spyderco for exploring their value. CRK has moved from one steel to another over the years, but has always looked for a single all-purpose steel, rather than special steels for different models. I doubt you will convince him to change a successful business model.
 
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