Military in 440V or S30V

T Schloz said:
The 440V models are getting hard to come by, so you may want to consider that.

Tom
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Another thing to also consider about what you just said Tom :) I got to talk to one of Crucible's metallurgist about 2 years ago. He told me they were not going to produce anymore 440V (S60V) for the cutlery industry any longer. He also told me that it had been created primarily for the tool & die industry.

Personally I've always liked 440V (S60V) better than it's successor S30V. If the choice were mine I would take the 440V Military model in a heartbeat. The only negative I can attest to regarding 440V is that it is a brutal monster to sharpen :eek::D But when you do get the job done you have an edge that will perform very well.

Right after S30V hit the scene there was a lot of talk here on Bladeforums about S30V having chipping problems. I personally never had that happen to me but I've talked to at least 5 guys who I trust that told me that it won't take impact like 440V will. And I believe it because my current EDC is a 440V Native model that I have just been outright brutal with. There are no chips or blade damage of any sort other than normal surface scratching.

I'm currently in the market for a PE and also an SE version of the 440V Military models. And I've had at least 90 to 110 different Spyderco user models over the years and I've never had a 440V blade ever fail me. That's my vote for what it's worth.
 
Tony Bose the slipjoint guru loves 440V. Rumor has it he and his son bought out the last of it. AFAIK he's the only one making knives in 440V today. It's great steel. Friend has a starmate they use daily in a restuarant kitchen (not for food.) Keeps a great edge, only gets sharpened once or twice a year and then only a few licks on the sharpmaker. I have another friend who has the native 440V and can't sharpen worth a tinker's dam. I take it from him about once or twice a year, and it never needs more than a mild tuneup. Both knives are used hard, no chipping or breakage. I'd go 440V in a heartbeat but talk him down in price 'cause it's old :)
 
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