New Natives are S30V instead of S35VN, bummer

anthony cheeseboro

anthony cheeseboro

Joined
Aug 8, 1999
Messages
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I just saw the new Natives are S30V. S30V is a perfectly good steel, but considering the standard Native had been S35VN for the last year or two, I am disappointed. At least I have an S35VN Native already.
 
I guess there is the feel that S35VN is better, or more premium, but I think the differences are minimal. Maybe I'm over-simplifying it, the differences are so minute I consider them essentially the same steel... or at least the same performance level. I would not pay more for an S35VN knife but I think it costs more, often times, probably because so much more S30V is used and thus better pricing. Just my thoughts about the two.

I actually prefer CTS-XHP, another similar performing steel, but based on how things are going with the cold steel products and their difficulty in getting enough supply I suspect that wouldn't be viable.
 
This was announced by Spyderco a couple of months ago. While somewhat disappointing, like bikerector bikerector said there isn't much real world difference between the two steels.
 
When S35V came out some said it was an inferior steel to S30V. S35V was said to be a mix that was easier on the factory machinery than S30V so it lowered production cost but was the same relative quality. Either way, you probably won't be able to tell the difference.
 
I got one of the new G-10 Native 5's with S30V and no liners. I also have an FRN Native 5 in S35VN. While I would have preferred S35VN in my G-10 model, TBH, in usage I haven't really noticed any difference at all.

Jim
 
James Y said:
I got one of the new G-10 Native 5's with S30V and no liners. I also have an FRN Native 5 in S35VN. While I would have preferred S35VN in my G-10 model, TBH, in usage I haven't really noticed any difference at all.

Jim
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Good to know as I've been thinking about picking up one too.
 
I’m just glad the Native is still in production. The Native, Delica, Dragonfly, Ladybug/Manbug, are the “meat and potatoes,” of Spyderco’s lineup.
 
I have a PM2 in S30V, and the Native 5 in S35VN. I'm very impressed with both knives, but the blade thicknesses are quite different, so I really only replied to let you know that I have no idea. On the plus side, well, I love both knives!
 
numbersman said:
I have a PM2 in S30V, and the Native 5 in S35VN. I'm very impressed with both knives, but the blade thicknesses are quite different, so I really only replied to let you know that I have no idea. On the plus side, well, I love both knives!
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I have had my share of S30V Spyderco’s, I know they are capable.
 
I grabbed a Manix 2 lockback a short while ago and it is my first S30V knife in a long while since I caught a trendy case of steelsnobbery.
It was like being reunited with an old friend and a little time on the old EdgePro and it's one of the sharpest knives in my Spydiepaks.
 
My S30V PM2 is my main workhorse knife and it's great. I've chipped and rolled the edge on random staples here and there (last time was on a pinyata...). Go home and spend some time on the Sharp Maker and its good to go.
 
For the record, I usually make fun of steel snobs, and I have had great success with S30V. I just hated to see Spyderco revert to a “lesser” steel.
 
The only major difference I can see between S30V and S35VN is how the steels act with the difference in vanadium. S30V is pretty crap to me unless you use diamond/CBN and if you do it's a phenomenal steel. S35VN isn't very finicky, and the difference between using diamonds or not are pretty minor (but I have found that diamonds are a good abrade all). S35VN does sharpen a lot easier and take a Polish easier too.
 
s35vn is also about 15-25% stronger than 30v in some charpy notch toughness tests... Nb really does something good
 
whp said:
And the price went up. MAP . Help the retailers at a cost to the customers.
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Perhaps we are beginning to see butterfly tax equivalents in the form of a spider tax? Hard to say just yet
 
anthony cheeseboro said:
For the record, I usually make fun of steel snobs, and I have had great success with S30V. I just hated to see Spyderco revert to a “lesser” steel.
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I have heard about how S35VN is so much better than S30V, but using them both I still prefer S30V. S35VN trades a minor amount of edge holding for a minor amount of toughness and ease of sharpening. I would rather have the edge holding. If they are ran a little softer (57-58RC) I hate both of them.
 
brownshoe said:
When S35V came out some said it was an inferior steel to S30V. S35V was said to be a mix that was easier on the factory machinery than S30V so it lowered production cost but was the same relative quality. Either way, you probably won't be able to tell the difference.
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True. There was a big stink instigated by some bogus reviewer who claimed that S35V was vastly inferior to S30V. No one could ever repeat his results, so the stink went away. So did he for that matter. Can no longer remember his user handle.

I have knives in both. And I've tested them side by side cutting manila rope in controlled testing. For edge retention, there is no difference. I've carried and used both, and I don't notice any difference in ease of sharpening or anything else. It's a non-issue to me.
 
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