Question on same steel, different manufacturers

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pastormarty

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Mar 22, 2010
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Is there going to be a difference between, say, VG-10 in SOG knives vs. VG-10 in Spyderco? Or S30V in Spyderco vs. S30V in Kershaw? I sometimes read posts that say something like "AUS8, as tempered by ... is fairly soft", which leads me to believe that the manufacturer of the knife may have a lot to do with how the steel performs.
 
I have friend on BF with an SMF that went to Home Depot looking for lumber.

He cut the metal banding on 10 bundles of lumber trying to wreck the blade..

the blade didnt chip. Id say Srtider makes a Very Strong s30v steel.:D:D
 
The difference is highly noticeable. These comparative observations are based solely on knives I own and reflect their attributes relative to each other. Two S30v CRK small Sebenzas: both are easily resharpened but the edges roll quickly when cutting cardboard. Two Benchmade 940s in S30v: both require more effort to resharpen but exhibit much greater resistance to edge rolling when cutting the same cardboard. One kershaw Leek in S30v requires much more effort to sharpen but exhibits very good edge retention and resistance to rolliing when used on the same cutting medium. Spyderco UK Penknife in S30v: requires resharpening effort about equal to the Benchmades but resists dulling and edge rolling better than the other knives when used on the same cardboard. The knives differ in blade configuration, primary grind and edge grind but all were sharpened to a 30 degree edge with a 40 degree micro bevel. All were also stropped on leather using 1 micron diamond spray. Same steel, same edge, same polish, same cardboard ~ different reaction. OldDude1
 
Maybe. VG-10 is a Takefu steel, S30V is a Crucible steel, AUS8 is an Aichi steel. So the manufacturer of the steel itself is the same. The name brands for the knives are different, and may may/may not specify different heat treat protocols. Thing is, if you take something like two different brand knives, but both are the same steel, and both made in the same location they may both be made by the same manufacturer. I don't know if there was much appreciable difference in the steels+heat treat for Camillus/Becker/Carbon V Cold Steel, or Queen/Ontario/S&M/RAT/Spec Plus/etc, or Spyderco/Sakai/maybe Moki?
 
Assuming proper HT - the manufacturer chooses the hardness range that it thinks is most appropriate for the use of it's customers. My TOPS folder of N690Co is made by FOX. The TOPS blade is 2 HRc points harder than FOX's own N690C0 blade.
 
Depending on the steel, because of the variations allowed in the spec the difference with the same HT can be significant. I guess in that case it's up to the manufacturer to test the batch and reject it if it's outside of the spec.
VG-10 is easy, 0.95-1.05% of Carbon, but then you have W1 which allows 0.70-1.50% carbon. I'm no metallurgist, but don't believe the same HT for the steel with 0.70 and 1.50% Caron in the same alloy mix will yield the same results. (Ref - W1 steel comopsition)
 
not only does the same alloy vary in performance between makers but the same models of knife from same maker sometimes show big differences.about all i can figure is when you get a good one hang on to it.
 
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