NEED HELP...S30V or VG-10

Grego

Grego

Joined
Apr 22, 2007
Messages
402
I will be making a purchase in the near future and I like both the Endura 4 (VG10) and Manix(S30V). What do folks recommend, both disigns fit me well and are great, but what are the pros and cons when you compare the two steels?

I read here in one of the threads that S30V had some issues with chipping, and some sharpening issues, how much stock I should put in to that...who knoes??

Any and all feedback would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance
 
I don't think anyone can answer your question absolutely. I , too have heard about chipping issues with S30V. In my experience, it doesn't chip any worse than any other steel. I have managed to chip them all at one time or another. I also have no difficulty sharpening either steel, but then I sharpen freehand on diamond hones, so even D2 and 440V don't give me any trouble in that regard. I would let other factors decide rather than the steel.

The Manix and Endura are vastly different knives. The Manix is wider, thicker, and heavier than the Endura. If the weight doesn't bother you, and you don't mind a knife that is half the width of your pocket, and the fact that it costs twice as much isn't a concern, I'd say get the Manix. It is a great knife, and the flat ground blade makes it a better slicer than the saber ground Endura.
 
If possible, handle both the Endura and Manix to decide which one is right for you. Both have advantages / disadvantages. The Endura is one of my favorites.

Have you considered ZDP-189 Endura?
 
Which do you need? A very heavy duty folder ( manix) or a medium heavy duty that is easier to carry ( Endura). The steels are appropriate for each, both being near top of the line and heat treated to be very durable and corrosion resistant.

They are both in the top 5 of stainless steels made IMO. Chose the knife that better suits you and don't worry about the steel. Both will serve you excellently provided you do your job and not pry, or use the tip as a screwdriver or drill. If you take care of them either can last a lifetime and then some. Joe
 
Grego said:
I will be making a purchase in the near future and I like both the Endura 4 (VG10) and Manix(S30V). What do folks recommend, both disigns fit me well and are great, but what are the pros and cons when you compare the two steels?

I read here in one of the threads that S30V had some issues with chipping, and some sharpening issues, how much stock I should put in to that...who knoes??

Any and all feedback would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance
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I had the same question, so I decided to try and answer it myself. I bought a Spyderco Native III in VG-10 and a Native in S30V. (Both came with the typical Spyderco VERY sharp edge. Both were also easy to sharpen with my Sharpmaker.) I field-dressed one whitetail deer with each.

I did get a tiny nick in the VG-10 blade somehow. I don't remember hitting any bone, dropping the knife, etc.. Anyway, once I ground it out, I never had another problem with it nicking, although it doesn't see heavy use.

I don't think a person would ever notice a difference between these two great blade steels in anything but an out-and-out lab test.

But if you're interested in getting "the best" stainless blade, I'd consider ZDP-189. I want to try that one next! :D

Stay sharp,
desmobob
 
yablanowitz said:
The Manix and Endura are vastly different knives. The Manix is wider, thicker, and heavier than the Endura. If the weight doesn't bother you, and you don't mind a knife that is half the width of your pocketa.
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I had no idea based on the pictures, that the manix was that much larger than the Endura, size & weight are not a huge concern...but all the same, taking up less space in the pocket etc...is always a little better for an EDC folder.


CuriousOne said:
.

Have you considered ZDP-189 Endura?
Click to expand...

I have been doing as much research on it as possible, but so far I am not totally sold on it...but thats just due to a lack of knowledge on its characteristics as a whole, any feedback would be appreciated.

The Mastiff said:
Which do you need? A very heavy duty folder ( manix) or a medium heavy duty that is easier to carry ( Endura). The steels are appropriate for each, both being near top of the line and heat treated to be very durable and corrosion resistant.

They are both in the top 5 of stainless steels made IMO. Chose the knife that better suits you and don't worry about the steel. Both will serve you excellently provided you do your job and not pry, or use the tip as a screwdriver or drill. If you take care of them either can last a lifetime and then some. Joe
Click to expand...

The medium to heavy duty range will probably fit my needs a little better, the Manix looks like a very nice knife, but then again so does the Endura. I think I will like the slimmer profile in my pocket a little better to...I'm not exactly looking for a survival knife in a folder either.
 
The manix is a rather large folder and consumes alot of space in your pocket. The endura on the other hand is something that is going to dissapear into your pocket. another steel to consider is H1 on the pacific salt. It is stain and rust resistant which makes it easy to clean with just some hot water and a quick dry.(dish washer works nicely) Easy to sharpen. but it doesnt hold the edge like s30v and vg-10 do. I havent really heard anything regarding chipping on H1 but i have owned several blades in s30v and vg-10 and i have never had any of them chip
 
sixstrings101 said:
The manix is a rather large folder and consumes alot of space in your pocket. The endura on the other hand is something that is going to dissapear into your pocket. another steel to consider is H1 on the pacific salt. It is stain and rust resistant which makes it easy to clean with just some hot water and a quick dry.(dish washer works nicely) Easy to sharpen. but it doesnt hold the edge like s30v and vg-10 do. I havent really heard anything regarding chipping on H1 but i have owned several blades in s30v and vg-10 and i have never had any of them chip
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I do believe that both are great steels, no doubt about it, but of coarse one will always have a slight "edge" over the other in one or more department. I your opinion, what are those pros & cons? as far as S30V chipping goes, I was under the impression that it was the best stuff since shirt pockets, and only recently have I read that on a few threads here a BF??

I will probably end up with the Endura, which means that it will either be ZDP-189 or VG-10 for me:thumbup:
 
Grego said:
I do believe that both are great steels, no doubt about it, but of coarse one will always have a slight "edge" over the other in one or more department. I your opinion, what are those pros & cons? as far as S30V chipping goes, I was under the impression that it was the best stuff since shirt pockets, and only recently have I read that on a few threads here a BF??

I will probably end up with the Endura, which means that it will either be ZDP-189 or VG-10 for me:thumbup:
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My only beef with zdp is that it stains and rusts rather easy. I work in an evironment were there are alot of water and chem. contact. the H1 is perfect for that because i can get it all gooed up and just spray it off with the pressure washer and its good again. I honestly think if you had to decide between the manix and the endura go with the endura. if that doesnt fill your beefy folder need. get the manix and sell the endura. the manixs are always going up for sale on the exchange
 
I have never had zdp-189 rust on me. It puts both vg-10 and s30v to shame in edge retention and the level of sharpness you can achieve. It is the best steel I have ever used..
 
ashtxsniper said:
I have never had zdp-189 rust on me. It puts both vg-10 and s30v to shame in edge retention and the level of sharpness you can achieve. It is the best steel I have ever used..
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i agree, maybe i just didnt rinse the chemicals i got on it off in time
 
Here are a couple of side-by-side pictures for comparison. The Endura is a ZDP-189 flat ground by Tom Krein. The knife and regrind together cost about as much as the Manix, and that sucker cuts like a demon. :thumbup:
 
A VG10 Endura from New Graham is less than 50$. I think it is one of the best deals in folders. You can get both a PE and SE Endura for the cost of a Manix.
I would buy the Endura and then if you are not happy with it you are only out 50$ and you can always find someone to trade it to or simply use it as part of an emergency kit.
I also like how small and non-threatening the Endura is especially as it is quite a large blade with useful Self Defence characteristics.
 
Unsub said:
A VG10 Endura from New Graham is less than 50$. I think it is one of the best deals in folders. You can get both a PE and SE Endura for the cost of a Manix.
I would buy the Endura and then if you are not happy with it you are only out 50$ and you can always find someone to trade it to or simply use it as part of an emergency kit.
I also like how small and non-threatening the Endura is especially as it is quite a large blade with useful Self Defence characteristics.
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I agree, I think that I will like the Endura...I had a version 3 once and never had any problems with it...until I lost it in Iraq.
 
The endura is an effective, solid knife for the money and I reckon it's actually a better beater/scraper/jiggery pokerer (EDC in other words) than the Manix - The thick saber grind gives it a strong edge and tip and the steel liners make it pretty solid (and the price makes it more replaceable:)).

Of course comparing Manix to Endura shouldn't be about the steels - because the edge geomoetries are very different. The Manix makes a better slicer and probably more efficient cutter with it's full grind - no doubting the Manix is aesthetically a more pleasing knife - but not necessarily more practical.
 
Ming65 said:
The endura is an effective, solid knife for the money and I reckon it's actually a better beater/scraper/jiggery pokerer (EDC in other words) than the Manix - The thick saber grind gives it a strong edge and tip and the steel liners make it pretty solid (and the price makes it more replaceable:)).

Of course comparing Manix to Endura shouldn't be about the steels - because the edge geomoetries are very different. The Manix makes a better slicer and probably more efficient cutter with it's full grind - no doubting the Manix is aesthetically a more pleasing knife - but not necessarily more practical.
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I ordered the Endura (black FRN VG-10) today, I actually like the look of the Endura better in alot of ways...kind of has that classic Spyderco look about it.

I ordered the plain edge.
 
Grego said:
I ordered the Endura (black FRN VG-10) today, I actually like the look of the Endura better in alot of ways...kind of has that classic Spyderco look about it.

I ordered the plain edge.
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I think that was a smart move. I think VG-10 is a great steel and probably my favorite. It is the first new steel after the ATS-34/CM-154 that I noticed a leap in quality. I like S30v as well but I feel that Spyderco's S30v tends to be brittle. My Benchmades in S30-v don't have chipping problems.
 
I think Spyderco uses S30V not because it may be the best steel for a certain grind or use but because that's what people(myself included) expect once you get to a certain price point. VG 10 is the steel they use when they want the best price/performance ratio.
I am bummed out about the trouble with the mule teams 51200 run because I LOVE quality tool steel for blades. If anyone can get it done though it is Sal.
 
Forgot to say also that I like VG10 over S30V - it's just easier to sharpen. If you want to see how scary VG10 can get in a tough knife then get a plain edge drop point D'Allara rescue.:eek:
 
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