S30V Lives!

Jerry Hossom

Jerry Hossom

Joined
Aug 1, 1999
Messages
3,036
Yep, and the first five blades of Crucible's new stainless version of CPM-3V are now on their way to Paul Bos for heat treating.

It is no fun to grind, however. After it ate a couple 3M 977 belts, I found it ground reasonably well with the new 967 belts run at a lower speed. I understand this is what works best with 420V/S90V as well. Still, grinding large blades are no fun at all.

I have a PDF file of the preliminary data sheet, which is not very informative. I'll be happy to send it to anyone who wants to email me.

In speaking with Bruce Di Vita at Crucible yesterday, they have small quanities of some sizes in stock in Dallas. Nominal 1/8", 5/32", and 7/32" as I recall.

If this steel lives up to it's target specifications, it just might become THE knife steet to beat.

- More stainless than ATS34/154CM
- Impact resistant equal to A2
- More wear resistant than D2

Not bad...

Edit was to correct the impact toughness comparison, for which I just got some new info.
 
WHo Hoo!!!! Jerry, about how much is the steel????? With those specs, I think it would make great kitchen knives and neck knives :)
 
Haven't talked to you since the SOS show, how goes it?
BTW thanks to you and Terrell for the encouraging words during the show they ment alot.

Kevin
 
OK, if your monitors and keyboards seem to be covered in condensation...that's my drool. Aaaannnticipation!!! :D


Mario
 
Jerry, what I would really like to know is how it compares to CPM3V. 3V is a great steel and it's impact resistance is quite a bit better than A2 if I am not mistaken. Personally, I don't care as much about stain resistance as I do about getting a tough blade.

I know you have not had enough time to make many comparisons between the two, but you have probably used 3V more than most other makers and I would hold your opinion highly. Thanks.
 
Im gonna call!! :) ME WANT SOME!!
 
Keith, it won't measure up to 3V for impact resistance, but it will certainly outperform any other stainless made and most tool steels as well. With 4% Vanadium it should make an excellent knife for most occassions.
 
I'm curious, Jerry. On something new like this, does Paul heat-treat it according to the manufacturer's spec's or do you guys use ideas of your own? Thanks.
 
Yes I'd like to know something on the heat treating "how to's" on both 3v and 30v. Could you give us a starting point on both. Say hardness and tempering temperatures, times, etc?

Also what thickness does 3v come in. I make lots of folders and like to use 3/32 or .100. Is it available that thin?

Thanks
 
Paul and I just spent a half hour on the phone talking about that. We'll probably use a variation of what he knows works with 3V and 154CM. The problem with the steel company info is that it is not really knife oriented, and what works well for plastic extrusion feed screws may not make the best knife. I don't mind giving up a little corrosion resistance to get other things I think are more important.

The bottom line is, Paul knows best. :)
 
Tony, I'll let Paul comment on the heat treating if he wants to jump in here. The key point with both steels is the need for a very fast quench. Using tool wrap probably won't work because the steel can't be cooled fast enough when it comes out of the oven. Paul's retorts are atmospherically controlled with Argon, so he can get a fast quench as soon as he cracks open the retort.

In 3V I usually get Rc61 for smaller blades (<8") and Rc59 for big ones. We're aiming for Rc60 on the S30V.

Call Bruce at Crucible to find out the thicknesses they have available in 3V. The thinnest I've gotten is about 0.130"
 
Called Bruce today. Price of 30V is REAL nice :) 1/8x1.5x36" is under $40 :) Gonna get me some soon! He is also sending me an info packet bout the diff knifemaking steels too :)
 
I called Bruce yesterday and ordered 4 pieces; 2 pieces 1.25x1/8x36 and 2 pieces 1.25x3/16x36. Shipped to my door is less than $150. Should be able to get many blades out of this steel. As for the difficulty in grinding, I guess I will have to live with it. I have been grinding Vascowear lately, and few steels wear out belts faster than that stuff. This might be a welcome step back in belt usage. Oh, and the analysis is:

1.45% carbon
14% chrome
4% vanadium
2% molybenum
 
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