S30V Native... I quit!

Yup, I've had great times with AUS8 blades. In any case, the Native is on its way to Spyderco, should be there tomarow or Fri. I'm quite interested to see what they find.
 
Sal Glesser said:
You might send it in and let us check it out. If there is something wrong with the blade, we'll replace the knife.

We sell many thousands of Natives and most seem pleased with the S30V edge holding. Please ask customer service to let me inspect it. thanx.

sal
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Sal

When the Native first came out I traded some Farrier work for mine from one of your employees for one!

I still think that is a cute story, so thought I would share!

Sal's employee would be a good reference to Spyderco's commitment, if there products didn't speak for there self.

But to add to the thread, I believe that my Native is just right. It is hard to get an edge on, but you don't have to very often.

Kevin
 
Buck268,

S30V treats me really well when I use a thin back-bevel leading up to a thickened edge. I ground the hollow out of my Native and put a 40-45 edge on it and it takes a hair-whittling edge that will still shave (though not pop or whittle) after cutting into potting soil and cardboard stuff. That was cool in my book because another guy mentioned his S30V Manix could shave after digging in the ground and none of my S30V blades could do that.

To make S30V cut like the Dickens, you need a Tale of Two Geometries:

A waifer-thin back-bevel and an obtuse edge.

Sal has mentioned here and elsewhere that S30V and VG-10 can take a 'hungry' 30 degree edge. It can. It can even take a 26 degree edge and do many, many things. It just doesn't seem to let me experience the wonder of its wear-resistance unless I go thicker on the edge and the thick edge isn't that good a cutter unless I go mucho thinner on the back-bevel (reground mine until it was 0.008" thick at the top of the edge). With those two conditions met, that S30V is very much a happy-making edge and long lasting.
 
When you get it back, try using a fair amount of pressure when sharpening or stropping. Spyderco S30V is hard and tough compared to many other steels: light pressure will only sharpen the burr, regular will push it aside without cutting it off, and firm pressure will cut it off cleanly leaving a tough edge. I use about 3-4 lbs. pressure and it works for me. regards, ss
 
They basically just resharpened it and sent it back. I'm still not impressed with the knife, but I'm thinking its because its not the right knife for me. Seems to hold a working edge well but wont hold that razor. But we'll see now. Becoming very tempted to go for something in VG-10.
 
Can never go wrong with VG-10. I'm on the fence which one I love more.. VG-10 or ZDP.

I own an Endura in each!
 
Not to offend anyone but if you cant get a tree topping edge on spyderco s30v then it is not the steel to blame but the person sharpening the steel. I freehand sharpen on Diamond stones the strop it on leather. I can shave my face with my s30v native as easy as with my strait razor and it holds an edge better than most other steels.
 
I sharpened my S30V folder for the first time. I took it through all the EdgePro grits from 120 to 800 (~5 microns) all at about 28 degrees included angle.

I noticed a couple of unusual things:
1st- I could not raise an obvious burr (that I could see or feel) in any of the grits.
2nd- I couldn't get the two sides of the bevel to come together cleanly to create a shaving sharp edge. ( although I couldn't see any imperfection with a 10x loup.)
3rd- When I gave up on the single bevel and added a very light micro-bevel, everything came together nicely. It shaves arm hair like a razor now and whittles hair as well. (I haven't cut anything yet to be able to speak to edge holding ability.)
 
Oh I can get the knife knice and sharp on my DMT stones, but it just doesnt hold that razor edge. Hence my thoughts on VG-10. I've heard it holds that very razor sharp edge longer, though once it begins to lose it, it dulls out much quicker.
 
ashtxsniper said:
The key to sharp S30V is diamond sharpening product thats all there is to it.
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My Manix tree tops hairs, has shaved my face, and can whittle hair with Spyderco Ceramic benchstones as the abrasives. DMT's aren't required for good sharpness out of S30V.

Mike
 
My 25 year old Bass Pro Shop Ceramic V sharpener keeps my Native hair popping sharp. It is my understanding that the S30V keeps it's sharp edge for a very long time, but not it's razor edge. I have not had a problem with mine. It's pretty easy to sharpen on a plain ole cheap ceramic sharpener if you know what you are doing.

I had some emergency cutting to do in a pouring down rain on a construction project. It did the trick, even after being dropped face down in the mud. It kept on cutting nylon rope. I did so for a few hours. I would imagine I could have a few days. Just took a few swipes on a sharpener and it was back shaving sharp.

It really is a Glock like knife. It is cheap black plastic with the best steel available. It isn't fancy. It's shapely but not pretty. It has no class, except it does the job, which gives it it's own different kind of class. It works when you need it.
 
gunmike1 said:
My Manix tree tops hairs, has shaved my face, and can whittle hair with Spyderco Ceramic benchstones as the abrasives. DMT's aren't required for good sharpness out of S30V.

Mike
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You don't need diamond products it just makes life so much easier.
 
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