question on Para 2 in CPM-S30V or CPM-S90V

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Sunward

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Oct 7, 2010
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okay, so its either the Para 2 with a CF handle and CPM-S90V steel , or the G10 scales in CPM-S30V.

the price is another $90 for the latter knife. Question is, is it really worth the extra money for the steel ( i have never used this). Any comments pros-cons would be helpful. TIA.
 
For a steel junkie, there's a big difference between S30v and S90v. If I had the S90v one, I would thin out the edge and make it a super slicer.

If I gave an average (someone not interested on this forum and perhaps owns some basic sharpening tools) person the S90v blade, they might notice the increased edge holding. There's no way they would see the benefits of reprofiling the edge thinner and experimenting. And when the time comes to sharpen it, they'd probably give up and blame the knife. :rolleyes:

The handle material feels pretty similar to each other and long time users have reported that the textured G-10 gets a little less grippy with extended use.
 
For most people it probably isn't worth it. A Sprint run makes the knife in question more unique as not a ton of them were made. The carbon fiber and somewhat exotic (for a production knife) blade steel make the knife more interesting for many of us knife nuts. They also hold their value and may even go up in value even if used. If you are going to use the knife then the S30V will be a great knife and a great value around $110. The S90V has many more carbides so it will hold an edge for a really long time and not need sharpening as often. But the wear resistance also makes it harder to sharpen although with the right equipment it is not hard. You either need diamonds or power equipment that you are good at using to get the knife sharp if you let it get dull. But if you keep after it and touch it up and don't let it get dull then it won't need a major sharpening for a long time. A couple passes on a sharp maker every day you use it will help keep it sharp as will a loaded strop (preferably with diamond paste/spray on it).

If you want the S90V you really need to look around as they are almost impossible to find and jump on it if you do come across one. I was pre-ordered with 3 different stores since mid July and none of them came through.
 
Sunward said:
okay, so its either the Para 2 with a CF handle and CPM-S90V steel , or the G10 scales in CPM-S30V.

the price is another $90 for the latter knife. Question is, is it really worth the extra money for the steel ( i have never used this). Any comments pros-cons would be helpful. TIA.
Click to expand...


If you have Silicon Carbide Stones or sharpen with Diamonds you will be fine with S90V, if you have a Sharpmaker and let S90V get dull you will be hating life for a very long time trying to get it sharp again.

Yes I do think S90V is worth it, it will take a very nice edge and hold that edge for a very long time, noticeably longer than steels like S30V, ZDP-189 etc. It's in the top tier of Stainless steels for edge holding and it's rare so if you get a chance to own a blade in S90V grab it.
 
There's another sprint coming out with G10 and Carpenter's version of S90V, it will be cheaper than the carbon fiber model.
 
hardheart said:
There's another sprint coming out with G10 and Carpenter's version of S90V, it will be cheaper than the carbon fiber model.
Click to expand...

I'm anxiously awaiting that one, as I was too late to get on the pre order for the CF/S90V version. While I appreciate CF and S90V (I have 2 Manix 2's in that flavor) I am happy to save about $60 and get G-10 and Carpenter's version of S90V to try out a new steel and that I'm sure will perform very well if it is very similar to Crucible's S90V.

Mike
 
Thanks for the replies. I will go with the less expensive para 2, the CPM-S30V. It may be a little less wear resistant, but at least my sharp maker can take of it.

So to date, this past month, and i only planned on buying ONE knife, i have:

sage 2
police SS (half serrated: my vehicle knife-seat belt cutter, deer throat slasher)
Millie M4
and a pre-order on the para 2 in the S30V
 
i received the carbon fiber S90V Para2. i like it so much that I put myself on the list for the Carpenter Steel version, too.
 
The Para2 is a pretty nice knife. I think the design is good enough that any version you get would be a very adequate knife. The S90V is just a hook for those of us who don't really need another knife. ;)
 
IMO the biggest reason to get a knife in S90V, or any other super steel, is if you regularly cut enough material (cardboard, rugs, leather, etc...) to dull the knife within a couple of days on a regular basis.
If, like most people, it's easy to go a month or two between sharpenings, then you probably won't notice the difference.

Also, don't be scared off by the "hard to sharpen" comments. Start with a rough, 40 or 60 grit utility stone (or coarse diamonds) and sharpening S90V is little different from anything else.
 
And let's also emphasize that S90V is a very corrosion resistant "super" steel.

For general or even heightened EDC, you really can't get a better blade steel with all things considered, according to me of course :)

Joshua J. said:
IMO the biggest reason to get a knife in S90V, or any other super steel, is if you regularly cut enough material (cardboard, rugs, leather, etc...) to dull the knife within a couple of days on a regular basis.
If, like most people, it's easy to go a month or two between sharpenings, then you probably won't notice the difference.

Also, don't be scared off by the "hard to sharpen" comments. Start with a rough, 40 or 60 grit utility stone (or coarse diamonds) and sharpening S90V is little different from anything else.
Click to expand...
 
The C81GY Para 2 has gray scales. The steel is CTS-20 CP.
Spyderco shows the composition as:

SV90 (2.3% C, 14% Cr, 1% moly, 9% van)
SV30 (1.45% C, 14% Cr, 2% Moly, 4% Van.)
CTS-20 CP (2.2%C, 13% Cr, 0.5% Mang, 1.3% moly, 0.9 % Si, 9.3% Van)

i think i may go for the gray scales afterall, anyone taking pre-orders???

TIA
 
You can try www.spydercovt.com

Sunward said:
The C81GY Para 2 has gray scales. The steel is CTS-20 CP.
Spyderco shows the composition as:

SV90 (2.3% C, 14% Cr, 1% moly, 9% van)
SV30 (1.45% C, 14% Cr, 2% Moly, 4% Van.)
CTS-20 CP (2.2%C, 13% Cr, 0.5% Mang, 1.3% moly, 0.9 % Si, 9.3% Van)

i think i may go for the gray scales afterall, anyone taking pre-orders???

TIA
Click to expand...
 
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