S30v thoughts? Been a while since ive purchased anything.

[nevertakeadayoff]

The last time I purchased a knife was probably around 2015, so I'm outa date. I've only ever owned one knife in s30v and it's a kershaw blur. I like the knife, have never had a problem with it... well, except the grip leaving a callous on my pinky knuckle from sliding my hand past it into my pocket, lol. However, I was never really wowed by it.

Seems to me like it chips more easily than my auto rift in 154cm and other older knives in 440c, aus8 or similar. It's always kept a good working edge, but I can't say I've noticed a big difference in edge retention over my 154cm rift. Also never seemed to take as fine of an edge as some of my lesser steels. Since I've owned the rift its been my benchmark for edc knives. At one point tried a zt in zdp189 (0450 I think? Always had trouble keeping up with their numbers in place of names) and decided the edge retention wasn't worth it in my style of edc with the not as easy/quick of sharpening. Same with my old d2 benchmade adamas.

Anyway, with the s30v, it seems like it's taken the factory blade market by storm, and 154cm has gone by the wayside. I kinda figured cpm154 would have taken off, but doesn't really look like it. Is my old s30v kershaw blur just inferior to more modern s30v with heat treat or something?

Honestly I wasn't even looking at s30v knives or another edc knife, I have my eye on the benchmade 535bk-4 bugout in m390 as more of a safe/dresser queen, night out on the town knife. But in my looking around to see what's new these days, I couldn't help but notice just how popular s30v is now. When I'm in the mood to buy a new knife, I rarely stop at one, so I may very well get another edc knife to put on rotation as well and was curious if the current s30v knives would impress me more than my blur. I've really enjoyed the ease of sharpening, lack of chipping and fine edge taking ability of 154cm for a knife I will make dull.

Thanks for any thoughts/input/advice, and forgive me, I know I tend to get a little Ernest Hemingway-ish and make a novel when I start typing.

I carried the Blur for many years. That plastic handle is so bad...

I'm very familiar with CPM154 and S30V.

I get them both very sharp. I guess I'll just say: In my experience, S30V has much better edge retention. I can't remember enough to comment on chipping (haven't used CPM154 in many years). I prefer hard steel, chipping doesn't bother me.

 

[Chronovore]

Chronovore, I'm glad you mentioned that. In the reading I've done in the past week or so, I did see the word magnacut come up. I didn't realize it was an actual steel though.
I thought it was a tm word for a process, like cpm, or something along the lines of air hardening tool steel, lol.

Thanks. There is certainly a bit of wizardry involved. Larrin has stuff up on Knife Steel Nerds about this and I enjoyed reading about how he saw and approached the need. Seeking a higher-toughness PM stainless with good edge retention, he came up with a recipe where all the carbides are vanadium carbides and all the chromium is free for corrosion resistance. On that last bit, I think it exceeded expectations and Spyderco is now using it in some of their Salt Series.

 

[Tsujigiri]

OP, what knives are you looking at? S30V is essentially been replaced by S35VN and is much less common now. Supposedly S30V might have a slight edge retention advantage but S35VN is much easier to machine so most companies use that. It's also tougher, which could solve your chipping issue. If you need decent retention and a lot of toughness, Cruwear and Magnacut are very popular. Cruwear was all the rage a little while back; now Magnacut is the new exciting thing. The comparatively ancient M4 would also be a good choice if you don't need a lot of corrosion resistance, and 3V has become a popular hard use steel, although more for fixed blades than folders.

As for CPM-154, it is an improvement on 154CM and both are commonly used, but some say that the particle metallurgy process doesn't change the steel all that much. 154CM is already a very fine grained steel that was originally used for ball bearings. Protech, for instance, has said that in testing they didn't see a big change and decided to stick with 154CM.

 

[Therom]

S30v is a great steel
Yes sometimes it can chip but but that’s usually not an issue. I sharpen my s30v blade at 20 dps and I haven’t had any problems at that angle.

Benchmade does an excellent job with s30v so you can very co side t in tat steel

 

[wesessiah]

OP, what knives are you looking at? S30V is essentially been replaced by S35VN and is much less common now. Supposedly S30V might have a slight edge retention advantage but S35VN is much easier to machine so most companies use that. It's also tougher, which could solve your chipping issue. If you need decent retention and a lot of toughness, Cruwear and Magnacut are very popular. Cruwear was all the rage a little while back; now Magnacut is the new exciting thing. The comparatively ancient M4 would also be a good choice if you don't need a lot of corrosion resistance, and 3V has become a popular hard use steel, although more for fixed blades than folders.

As for CPM-154, it is an improvement on 154CM and both are commonly used, but some say that the particle metallurgy process doesn't change the steel all that much. 154CM is already a very fine grained steel that was originally used for ball bearings. Protech, for instance, has said that in testing they didn't see a big change and decided to stick with 154CM.

I really wasn't looking for a new edc, but looking through, most notably, benchmade and spydercos websites, I noticed s30v used on knives that used to only be 154cm or vg10, those companies old go to work horse steels. I remember seeing special editions with s30v or d2. I started seeing that while browsing for a new safe queen knife. I never buy just one knife, so I wanted to know what to expect if/when I decide to also get another $100-$200 knife.

154cm and vg10 were always my go to steels for edc, always liked the ease of sharpening and taking a fine edge with decent retention.
I recall years ago people would describe s30v as not keeping as much of a fine edge but kept a working edge longer. A lot of people said it was the carbide structure making it more toothy than fine. If that was ever true, I'm mostly curious if people still said that, or it was not the case now.

cruwear does interest me, as I've seen it seems to have taken d2's place. From the reading I've done it seems to have better wear resistance while still being easier to sharpen. I have some d2 knives, always liked them, but they were relegated to occasional carry, because I do chip them, and those chips take more work to get out. Maybe lazy of me, but I got to where I would sharpen the chips and let them come out after a few sharpenings.

I carried the Blur for many years. That plastic handle is so bad...

I'm very familiar with CPM154 and S30V.

I get them both very sharp. I guess I'll just say: In my experience, S30V has much better edge retention. I can't remember enough to comment on chipping (haven't used CPM154 in many years). I prefer hard steel, chipping doesn't bother me.

I mostly keep the hard steels as occasional carry, because I'm a little rough on my daily carry ones. I found out pretty fast with zdp189 that I was having to put a lot more effort into sharpening.

I havent handled a plastic handle one. Mine is black aluminum with rubber inlay.

S30v is a great steel
Yes sometimes it can chip but but that’s usually not an issue. I sharpen my s30v blade at 20 dps and I haven’t had any problems at that angle.

Benchmade does an excellent job with s30v so you can very co side t in tat steel

I tend to do about 20, and with some profiles will do a microbevel. I really only measure if I'm doing the first sharpening, or reprofiling.

 

[Tsujigiri]

I really wasn't looking for a new edc, but looking through, most notably, benchmade and spydercos websites, I noticed s30v used on knives that used to only be 154cm or vg10, those companies old go to work horse steels. I remember seeing special editions with s30v or d2. I started seeing that while browsing for a new safe queen knife. I never buy just one knife, so I wanted to know what to expect if/when I decide to also get another $100-$200 knife.

Ah that makes sense. I stepped away from knives around the same time that you did and came back recently as well. I found that there have been a few significant changes beyond the same popular models being offered in newer steels. One of the biggest changes is the rise of high end Chinese brands like We, Reate, Rike, Maxace, etc. I wouldn't have expected to spend that much on a Chinese knife, but after trying a few I've found that some of these companies are putting out an incredible level of detail and quality control for the price, and using high-end brand-name materials. They pump out models left and right, though, so it's a little more work to focus your search and find a really good one with a design that speaks to you. These can range from the price range you're looking at to high end territory. They seem to have had a hand in curtailing the market for $1000+ midtechs and customs that were popular years ago since you can now get essentially the same thing from these companies for around $500 or less.

ZT and Benchmade have slipped in both the diversity of their offerings and public opinion. The patent on the Axis lock expired so now everyone is making them. Spyderco has stuck to their ugly but functional utilitarianism and is still going strong, though. Cold Steel lost some fans by selling out to GSM, but I don't think the product has worsened. If anything they are using better steels now and have a few new designs that are nice. Chris Reeve left CRK, so that's kind of put a wrench in their innovation, but their quality is still excellent and it seems that they can't produce enough to meet demand.

If you have any interest in traditionals, those have seen a renaissance in the past few years. People now pay over sticker for GEC's, plus there are new entries into that market and renewed interest in vintage pieces.

 

[Sagandavis]

Cruwear, 3v and magnacut would be the “newer” steels to try imo. I’ve never had complaints with s30v though but give an edge ( no pun intended) to m390 for pocket knives and small fixed blades

 

[wesessiah]

Ah that makes sense. I stepped away from knives around the same time that you did and came back recently as well. I found that there have been a few significant changes beyond the same popular models being offered in newer steels. One of the biggest changes is the rise of high end Chinese brands like We, Reate, Rike, Maxace, etc. I wouldn't have expected to spend that much on a Chinese knife, but after trying a few I've found that some of these companies are putting out an incredible level of detail and quality control for the price, and using high-end brand-name materials. They pump out models left and right, though, so it's a little more work to focus your search and find a really good one with a design that speaks to you. These can range from the price range you're looking at to high end territory. They seem to have had a hand in curtailing the market for $1000+ midtechs and customs that were popular years ago since you can now get essentially the same thing from these companies for around $500 or less.

ZT and Benchmade have slipped in both the diversity of their offerings and public opinion. The patent on the Axis lock expired so now everyone is making them. Spyderco has stuck to their ugly but functional utilitarianism and is still going strong, though. Cold Steel lost some fans by selling out to GSM, but I don't think the product has worsened. If anything they are using better steels now and have a few new designs that are nice. Chris Reeve left CRK, so that's kind of put a wrench in their innovation, but their quality is still excellent and it seems that they can't produce enough to meet demand.

If you have any interest in traditionals, those have seen a renaissance in the past few years. People now pay over sticker for GEC's, plus there are new entries into that market and renewed interest in vintage pieces.

I have no clue how to insert a gif on here, but if you google "Eric mind blown gif" this is how I feel about your post. Southern grind was new charging $250 for 14c28n, lionsteel was a Chinese company that nobody had anything negative to say about, and Kizer was something everyone was optimistically cautious about.

Spyderco... lol, that has always been my hangup with them. Even though we offer s90v, we still want you to accept our 3" thick at the breadth blades, even though our grips are half that thickness

Thanks bud, i feel like this has been the most useful post so far.

Cruwear, 3v and magnacut would be the “newer” steels to try imo. I’ve never had complaints with s30v though but give an edge ( no pun intended) to m390 for pocket knives and small fixed blades

Magnaucut sounds amazing, as well as cruwear, m390 was around the last time I searched for edc steels.

Ah that makes sense. I stepped away from knives around the same time that you did and came back recently as well. I found that there have been a few significant changes beyond the same popular models being offered in newer steels. One of the biggest changes is the rise of high end Chinese brands like We, Reate, Rike, Maxace, etc. I wouldn't have expected to spend that much on a Chinese knife, but after trying a few I've found that some of these companies are putting out an incredible level of detail and quality control for the price, and using high-end brand-name materials. They pump out models left and right, though, so it's a little more work to focus your search and find a really good one with a design that speaks to you. These can range from the price range you're looking at to high end territory. They seem to have had a hand in curtailing the market for $1000+ midtechs and customs that were popular years ago since you can now get essentially the same thing from these companies for around $500 or less.

ZT and Benchmade have slipped in both the diversity of their offerings and public opinion. The patent on the Axis lock expired so now everyone is making them. Spyderco has stuck to their ugly but functional utilitarianism and is still going strong, though. Cold Steel lost some fans by selling out to GSM, but I don't think the product has worsened. If anything they are using better steels now and have a few new designs that are nice. Chris Reeve left CRK, so that's kind of put a wrench in their innovation, but their quality is still excellent and it seems that they can't produce enough to meet demand.

If you have any interest in traditionals, those have seen a renaissance in the past few years. People now pay over sticker for GEC's, plus there are new entries into that market and renewed interest in vintage pieces.

Cruwear, 3v and magnacut would be the “newer” steels to try imo. I’ve never had complaints with s30v though but give an edge ( no pun intended) to m390 for pocket knives and small fixed blades

 

[Tsujigiri]

I have no clue how to insert a gif on here, but if you google "Eric mind blown gif" this is how I feel about your post. Southern grind was new charging $250 for 14c28n, lionsteel was a Chinese company that nobody had anything negative to say about, and Kizer was something everyone was optimistically cautious about.

Spyderco... lol, that has always been my hangup with them. Even though we offer s90v, we still want you to accept our 3" thick at the breadth blades, even though our grips are half that thickness

Thanks bud, i feel like this has been the most useful post so far.

I know exactly what you're referring to, the Tim and Eric show one lol. That reminds me, Lionsteel and Hogue have made major inroads in the past few years and gone from niche brands with a few well-liked knives to respected manufacturers with a broad portfolio of products. Glad to be of help!

 

[David Mary]

I prefer S35VN to S30V in my limited uses of the two. I had a few Spydercos in S30V, and currently have a few of the same in S35VN. I find they both hold a great edge in normal use, S35VN seems tougher, and easier to sharpen. I use my knives hard sometimes (like cutting ricasso glue with my thinly reground S35VN Tenacious) and like the extra toughness and ease of resharpening.

 

[jfk1110]

I have no clue how to insert a gif on here, but if you google "Eric mind blown gif" this is how I feel about your post. Southern grind was new charging $250 for 14c28n, lionsteel was a Chinese company that nobody had anything negative to say about, and Kizer was something everyone was optimistically cautious about.

Spyderco... lol, that has always been my hangup with them. Even though we offer s90v, we still want you to accept our 3" thick at the breadth blades, even though our grips are half that thickness

Thanks bud, i feel like this has been the most useful post so far.

Magnaucut sounds amazing, as well as cruwear, m390 was around the last time I searched for edc steels.

LionSteel is an Italian company with top notch products and industry leading 3D machining in titanium, micarta and carbon fiber!!!! Damn fine blades!!!

 

[wesessiah]

Maybe Kizer was the Chinese one then.