New XM-18...which steel?

stevekolt

stevekolt

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Jan 9, 2007
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Quick question...I won a lottery slot yesterday at the show, and brought home a new XM-18 3.5" flipper with a gray scale. How do you know which steel was used? There are three different steels listed on the website, and there are no markings on the blade itself. Thanks in advance for any help.
 
I believe they are Duratech 20 CV. The beauty about this forum is that if I am wrong others will let us know. If it were S35VN, it would be indicated on the blade. Now, knives at shows may differ. I would be interested to know if ALL Gen 4 XM 18 3.5s are Duratech 20CV.
 
I got a XM 18 custom bowie at Blade 2011 that wasn't marked.
When I posted the same question as ^^ Rob said Duratech 20CV.
So that's my insight.
Enjoy the great knife!
 
Thanks for the replies folks! How does Duratech 20CV compare to S30V or XHP? Dang! Already thinking of getting another :eek::D
 
stevekolt said:
Thanks for the replies folks! How does Duratech 20CV compare to S30V or XHP? Dang! Already thinking of getting another :eek::D
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20CV is basically identical to M390 (I think it has a tad less silicon IIRC); great wear and corrosion resistance, good toughness.

In my experience with XHP and 20CV, I can get the XHP wicked sharp (20CV just hair shaving sharp) and wear resistance is similar to D2 (20CV keeps a working edge for a long time). Also, the XHP was easier for me to sharpen than 20CV. I'm pretty sure that most of the performance variations were due to edge geometry of the blade, not the actual steel.

Rick has chosen to use XHP, S35VN, and 20CV for good reasons. If they are good enough for him, they should work fantastically for any of us. I really doubt any of us could even tell any difference in the steels if they weren't marked. Just my opinion. :)
 
Thanks again. I had the opportunity to speak with Rob at the NYCKS, and he confirmed that it is indeed the Duratech 20CV, and that it is basically the same as M390.
 
How can anyone tell what the production Gen 3 models come with while this thread is on the topic of steel? Sorry for the newbie question but I just recently picked up a 3.5 Gen 3 with an unmarked blade & was told it's supposed to be 20CV. I have noticed some of the production models are stamped XHP while others are not marked. Do the Gen 3 production knives come with an optional unmarked 20CV blade???
 
Gen 3s that are unmarked are also 20cv (except for a very small number of cts-xhp that got out without being marked).
 
motojg said:
Gen 3s that are unmarked are also 20cv (except for a very small number of cts-xhp that got out without being marked).
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It seems to me that the knives that have the XHP gade metal have more of a shinier finish vs the stonewash finish of the 20CV. Correct me if I am wrong...
 
RMA said:
Yes, there was one just sold in the FS section late yesterday.
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Probably the one I bought. I love it and no, I'll never give it up. I'd love to know for sure what steel is in it. Not that it really matters, but it's fun to know.
 
TAGannon said:
Probably the one I bought. I love it and no, I'll never give it up. I'd love to know for sure what steel is in it. Not that it really matters, but it's fun to know.
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You have to give it up. That was your 1201st post. Anyone making post 1201 has to give up the last knife they bought and being as I sited the not so well known rule #3601 para 16 . I guess I will have to do the right thing.
 
My XM-18 came with Duratech 20cv. The cv20 became dull surprisingly fast. I actually sent the knife back to Rick to get a new blade in cts-xhp steel, hoping this would be better. XHP has been very good for my use (normal edc tasks), I am very happy with it. (I did of course pay for the new blade).
 
Lunde73 said:
My XM-18 came with Duratech 20cv. The cv20 became dull surprisingly fast. I actually sent the knife back to Rick to get a new blade in cts-xhp steel, hoping this would be better. XHP has been very good for my use (normal edc tasks), I am very happy with it. (I did of course pay for the new blade).
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Interesting, I am a big fan of XHP but have become an even bigger fan of 20CV.
 
rubiconss said:
You have to give it up. That was your 1201st post. Anyone making post 1201 has to give up the last knife they bought and being as I sited the not so well known rule #3601 para 16 . I guess I will have to do the right thing.
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Dang. Just when I was beginning to really get attached to it. Okay. Rules are rules. Just send me your mailing address and I'll do the right thing.
 
rubiconss said:
You have to give it up. That was your 1201st post. Anyone making post 1201 has to give up the last knife they bought and being as I sited the not so well known rule #3601 para 16 . I guess I will have to do the right thing.
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LMAO :)

I cut one garden hose yesterday and my 20CV went from paper slicing with no problem to paper slicing with a big problem. A good stropping should bring it back and it's not bad enough yet to try out my new WE but still I am a little miffed. The reason, more than likely, is the hose. Not your garden variety garden hose but more of an old brtittle plasticy thing that I needed to shorten.
 
strider214 said:
LMAO :)

I cut one garden hose yesterday and my 20CV went from paper slicing with no problem to paper slicing with a big problem. A good stropping should bring it back and it's not bad enough yet to try out my new WE but still I am a little miffed. The reason, more than likely, is the hose. Not your garden variety garden hose but more of an old brtittle plasticy thing that I needed to shorten.
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You're from NY? Was there still water inside the hose? :D
 
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