S30 Versus S90

[Bringsteen]

Based on what I have read, the principal advantages that s30 has over s90 are that it is
1. easier to machine,
2. easier on the machining equipment, and
3. easier to keep sharp.

But isn't s90 an overall better blade steel in terms of durability and edge retention? If this is the case, wouldn't CRK be justified in making some Sebenzas with s90 and charging $500 or so for them?

 

[MORIMOTOM]

harder isnt always better. the harder the steel the more brittle, generally. eventually even the s90 would get dull, or at least lose its edge. s30v is hard enough to resharpen, i couldnt imagine trying to sharpen anything harder.

even maintaining the edge would be difficult if the steel is too hard.

 

[ralph.merlino]

I would say that you are right on all three points. My steel of choice for many years has been S90V. I have a friend who is a Mastersmith back east who forges his fixed blades but all of his folders are SS, 80% are 12C27 and 20% are S90V, he charges $100.00 per blade more for the S90V because in his words S90V is very hard to work with and it eats belts up like crazy.

Microtech just finished a run of 200 SOCOM in S90V now they are back to using D-2, The S90V knives are $50.00 more then the D-2.

If CRK made one of there folders in S90v I would be first in line to buy one.
Another knife maker called me last week and said that there is a new steel out that is even better then S90V, it is S3V. I dont know much about yet but I see that Kershaw new ZT line of knives has a fixed blade in S3V and I am going to check it out soon.

 

[Bringsteen]

Interesting. It would be appealing to me if CRK offered to sell Sebenza blades made out of S90V to current Sebenza owners.

 

[Neil Ostroff]

If CRK made one of there folders in S90v I would be first in line to buy one.
Another knife maker called me last week and said that there is a new steel out that is even better then S90V, it is S3V. I don't know much about yet but I see that Kershaw new ZT line of knives has a fixed blade in S3V and I am going to check it out soon.

The Zero Tolerance knives you are referring to are made of CPM-3V. This is not a new steel, but actually it's been around for a long time.

This 3V is a tool steel and not stainless at all. It has 7.5% Chromium. As a reference, D2, which is also not considered stainless has 11.5% Chromium.

S90V (also known as 420V) is very hard to finish and it eats up grinding belts like peanuts. It is considered a very "knife UNFRIENDLY" steel. It has 9% Vanadium. S30V has 5%.

I can say quite confidently, that Chris will not be switching to or using S90V.

Take care, Neil

 

[Raj]

I had thought that the S90 was the 440T and the 420V is now the S60.Is it the other way around?.Please do let me know if I had been wrong on this.

 

[Neil Ostroff]

I had thought that the S90 was the 440T and the 420V is now the S60.Is it the other way around?.Please do let me know if I had been wrong on this.

Hi,

It is often confusing.

440V is S60V
420V is S90V.

The easiest thing to remember is that both are a pain in the ass for a Knifemaker to work with. Also, a bigger pain for most end users to re-sharpen whether in the field or back at home with a sharpening system.

S30V is the way to go. (Until something better comes up)

Regards, Neil

 

[Raj]

Thank you for the clarification Mr Ostroff.Truly appreciate your help in this.
S30 maybe the way to go for now as it is probably the easiest to sharpen among these 3,the other two being S60,and S90.The S60V/440T takes and holds a very good edge for a long time and is one of the preferred steels for knifemaking by Mr Corbet Sigman(one of the old time great knifemakers).

 

[Bringsteen]

Neil,

Do you believe that S30 is the very best steel available today for a knife like the Sebenza?

Thanks,

Bringsteen

 

[leon.pugh]

CPM3V, much tougher than S30 and holds an edge longer. Do to its strength you can reduce the bevels quite a bit and have knife that is far superior to S30 in every way except stain resistance, but it ant to bad, it also mirror poishishs very well.

Leon Pugh