M4 Vs 3v

Both are favorites of mine for sure. M4 has better edge holding. 3V has better toughness and corrosion resistance. If you are looking for an all around great heavy use knife, 3V is hard to beat. IMHO
 
My vote goes to 3v although M4 is often used for competition-class choppers and such in Bladesports and elsewhere so it's definitely no slouch.
 
To me, M4 seems to take a better edge and is easier to sharpen. 3V holds an edge through a crazy amount of work.

I still like A2 over both.
 
They're night and day. What's your "heavy use?"

If it's bushwacking, wilderness survival, etc. 3v is going to be best.

If it's processing tons of cardboard, rope and other cutting tasks then M4 will be better.
 
read somewhere m4 work hardens and those in competition cutting use it but say it has a limited lifespan. dont know any of that to be true, just read it on the internet.:)
 
read somewhere m4 work hardens and those in competition cutting use it but say it has a limited lifespan. dont know any of that to be true, just read it on the internet.:)
Haha would like to know where you heard that? To the OP, both are going to handle whatever put them through. All depends on the HT.
Scott
 
Haha would like to know where you heard that? To the OP, both are going to handle whatever put them through. All depends on the HT.
Scott
found it on another forum post...cut and pasted rather than linking .......this post came from Ed Schempp

"Ed Schempp
There is a tendency for CPM M4 to work harden in the very thin geometry of a knife blade. Blade sports competitors push the limits and some of these very thin blades work harden and fracture or crack after a year or two on competition, and are replaced. Personally I used 52100 clad with 15N 20 for several years, and the knife is still undamaged. For large blades I prefer high Carbon to stainless or high speed steel. I like to think that my blades will outlive me.
There are many special purpose steels that will give exceptional life with light cutting tasks. Many of these steels will be used and do well in folding knives, it depends on what you like in your knife."
 
I find that hard to believe. I've gotten involved with Bladesports and have not heard anything like that from the competitors. Checked with Donovan Phillips and he said not so.
Scott
 
Last edited:
I find that hard to believe. I've gotten involved with Bladesports and have not heard anything like that from the competitors. Checked with Donovan Phillips and he said not so.
Scott
well in fairness i took that post away from a bigger topic, so its a soundbite now. there was some more talk on not really work hardening with cliff stamp, more so other reasons for cracking and failure....... but the cracking and wearing out wasnt doubted by anyone on that thread in those competition uses.

also i have no idear as i dont know anymore than i read.
 
When you come down to it with any steel, heat treatment and tempering play a huge role in the end result, so maybe some have experienced it.
Thanks for posting.
Scott
 
You could shoot Dan keffeler a pm and see what he's got say. I believe he used to use m4 before switching over to Vanadis 4 E or 4v.
 
Dan is all about the Vanadis 4 E now. He used his new comp knife in Vanadis 4 E at my hosted Mid-Atlantic cut back in March and won the nationals in Dallas with it last month. BTW, Donovan is using convex ground comp knives now. I showed him my method on convexing back in March.
Scott
 
Back
Top