Native Marked As 440V?

V

Vivi

BANNED
Joined
Dec 4, 2005
Messages
5,095
I just received my Native from a trade and the tang is marked as CPM 440V, made in Golden, CO. I was wondering how this is different from S30V performance-wise and how common they are. It came in a white box, don't know if that makes any difference. Thanks.

C41PBK new '02 model with boye dent in lock CPM 440V PE FRN Black Black x x x front 2.65 75.2 2 5/8" 3 1/8" 3 15/16" 7" 1/8" 15/32"

I got the above info from http://www.ted.tweakdsl.nl/spyderco/spyderco.html and I think that's the model I received.
 
440V was the steel uised prior to S30V. It holds an edge longer, but is a nightmare to sharped, and has been reported to be somewhat brittle.
 
Just FYI also.

440V was remaned S60V a couple of years ago and it is a particle metalurgy
steel from Crucible as S30 V is.

The Zytel Natives were originally 440v until S30V was introduced.
So you have a slightly older native, not too rare.

Expect to experience excellent edge holding (better than S30V) but a little harder to sharpen and the steel is rumored to be a little brittle (although in my experience I did not find this to be true).

Manufactures like Spyderco and Kershaw were using this steel on quite a few folders but switched to the supposedly better all around steel S30V when it became avaliable. S60V like S90V and other super steels just cost too much to machine and grind because of their wear resistance properties so the manufactures switched to more cost effective options.
 
Seems good to me. As long as I'm careful not to drop it on hard surfaces and so forth, I should basically experience better edge retention. Thanks for the replies.
 
I have read posts here that argue that S30V will hold an edge longer than 440V. I remember one poster said that he asked Sal directly about it and was told that S30V would out perform 440V in terms of edge retention. I guess it really would probably come down to what types of things you cut most often that would determine which would keep an edge longer. I think S30V is more resistant to abrasive materials so if that is what you cut most often then it would probably keep an edge longer.
 
wire eddge said:
The Zytel Natives were originally 440v until S30V was introduced.
So you have a slightly older native, not too rare.
Click to expand...

I believe GIN-1 was used in the original Natives, before 440V. Correct me if I'm wrong.

Vu
 
Technically, the first Native blades were made out of 440A! ;) Those later went into the BRK Native. (Here’s an old thread about BRK Natives.) I think GIN-1 was only used for a year or two in the original Native before moving on to CPM-440V.

I’ve never had a problem with Spyderco’s 440V. People have said that it’s prone to chipping, but that didn’t seem to be the case for me. The only sharpening issue I experienced is that it can be difficult to remove the burr.

440V might also be a little less rust resistant than some other stainless steels. I used my 440V Native to carve a jack-o-lantern once and left some pumpkin goo on it for several hours. When I cleaned off the blade, I noticed some tiny “pepper” type stains on it, but they were very minor.
 
Spyderco doesn't take 440V to the same hardness as S30V so that could be why it won't hold an edge as long. However, being softer it may be easier to sharpen. I have a Starmate in the same steel and can get it shaving sharp on the sharpmaker with no more difficulty than VG10. It does seem to get some tiny chips (can only be seen under magnification) but it won't break if dropped :) I like the steel. It seems toothier than other steels in that it cuts well after it won't shave, kind of like the dendritic 440C of David Boye. It is very stain and rust resistant.
 
mr.vu said:
I believe GIN-1 was used in the original Natives, before 440V. Correct me if I'm wrong.

Vu
Click to expand...
In the catalogues I have they are listed as follows:

1997 - 1998 / GIN-1
2000 - 2002 / CPM 440 V
since 2003 / S30V
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top