s30v

S

Sasuke13Uchiha

Joined
Jun 8, 2014
Messages
93
How long do you guys think s30v will still be considered a high end steel? Im seeing more and more exotic steels recently and it used to be s30v was the best? whats your opinion on this steel by the way for edc folders? And lastly how does it compare with vg10 or s35vn? Thanks!
 
I dont consider it a high end steel. I also never liked it. M390 is one of the best steels I have had.
 
S30V is not a high end steel, it's more of a medium-priced steel. I really like S30V for an EDC folder, it's one of the best "bang for your buck" steels. It's not super hard to get sharp like the current crop of "super steels" and it holds an edge a perfectly reasonable amount of time (significantly longer than 154CM or VG10). S35VN has very similar edge holding, I can't really tell the difference. Both S30V and S35VN have exceptional corrosion resistance too, though allegedly S35 is better. I've never had either one rust on me so I can't say whether that's true or not.
 
amg137 said:
S30V is not a high end steel, it's more of a medium-priced steel. I really like S30V for an EDC folder, it's one of the best "bang for your buck" steels. It's not super hard to get sharp like the current crop of "super steels" and it holds an edge a perfectly reasonable amount of time (significantly longer than 154CM or VG10). S35VN has very similar edge holding, I can't really tell the difference. Both S30V and S35VN have exceptional corrosion resistance too, though allegedly S35 is better. I've never had either one rust on me so I can't say whether that's true or not.
Click to expand...
i think it was the wear resistance that is improved with this 35vn and its high end for me since im used to AUS-8 and abc's soup Chinese steel :p however yeah i knew it wasnt a super steel just a good one
 
Sasuke13Uchiha said:
i think it was the wear resistance that is improved with this 35vn and its high end for me since im used to AUS-8 and abc's soup Chinese steel :p however yeah i knew it wasnt a super steel just a good one
Click to expand...

Actually, the wear resistance of S30V and S35VN is virtually identical. The main "improvement" between the two is that S35VN is vastly easier to machine and work with than S30V (ie, it's softer before heat treat). Thus, it's cheaper for manufacturers to work with, without giving anything up as far as steel quality. The ease of machining has been the driving force for many companies (Hinderer, CRK, Protech, etc) to switch.

Regardless, S30V is a good steel and will be a great step up from the entry level steels. Buy with confidence, you won't be disappointed.
 
amg137 said:
Actually, the wear resistance of S30V and S35VN is virtually identical. The main "improvement" between the two is that S35VN is vastly easier to machine and work with than S30V (ie, it's softer before heat treat). Thus, it's cheaper for manufacturers to work with, without giving anything up as far as steel quality. The ease of machining has been the driving force for many companies (Hinderer, CRK, Protech, etc) to switch.

Regardless, S30V is a good steel and will be a great step up from the entry level steels. Buy with confidence, you won't be disappointed.
Click to expand...
Ok i see thank you for clearing that up for me :D And indeed i have ordered a para-2 thats why i was asking if it was worth the hype the steel that is
 
amg137 said:
it's one of the best "bang for your buck" steels.
Click to expand...

This is exactly what I was going to say. Not necessarily a super steel anymore, but it gives you very respectable performance for the price.

Sasuke13Uchiha said:
how does it compare with vg10 or s35vn? Thanks!
Click to expand...

I don't think you'll see a difference between it and S35VN, but between it and VG-10 you'll see a couple differences. VG-10 is easier to sharpen, will take a fine edge very easily, and the edge will degrade in a linear fashion. On the other hand, S30V is a bit harder to sharpen, benefits from a courser edge, and will lose its "razor" edge very quickly before settling down into a long lasting "working" edge.
 
It's very hard to get a mirror polish with S30V because of the Vanadium carbides. I don't like mirror polish but I think S35VN is better for me .In any case diamond sharpeners should be used .I also think a fine serrated edge is the best for these steels .
 
S30V is an excellent all around steel, it isn't overly expensive, takes and holds and edge well and has very good corrosion resistance. Contrary to what many say, it isn't hard to sharpen provided it isn't too dull to begin with and diamond sharpeners are definitely NOT needed. I maintain a razor sharp edge on my S30V Blur using only the standard Sharpmaker rods with no problem at all.
 
"High end" or "super" steels have a lifespan just a little longer than new technology allows for cell phones and digital cameras.

Ten years or so back, VG10 was hot stuff in Al Mar, Fallkniven, Spyderco and other brands of knives. Even 440C was considered a top steel around that time (I have a Griptilian in 440C from around that period and it still cuts as well as it ever did although some experts put down the steel quality these days). Today, everyone is hot and lathered for the "big, new thing" whatever it turns out to be.

As can be seen by some of posts here, there are already those offering sage advice that S30V is not high end. We live in the age of things being passe before they ever really become the norm.
 
Lee48 said:
"High end" or "super" steels have a lifespan just a little longer than new technology allows for cell phones and digital cameras.

Ten years or so back, VG10 was hot stuff in Al Mar, Fallkniven, Spyderco and other brands of knives. Even 440C was considered a top steel around that time (I have a Griptilian in 440C from around that period and it still cuts as well as it ever did although some experts put down the steel quality these days). Today, everyone is hot and lathered for the "big, new thing" whatever it turns out to be.

As can be seen by some of posts here, there are already those offering sage advice that S30V is not high end. We live in the age of things being passe before they ever really become the norm.
Click to expand...

Just for the record I don't follow the hottest best steel, item, or trend. I have my flip cell phone to prove it. :D
 
Is s30V better with a smooth polished or toothy? I know some steels are better at one or the other. In my experience that is.
 
Sasuke13Uchiha said:
...how does it compare with vg10 or s35vn?
Click to expand...



Having a fair bit of experience with the Stainless Steels mentioned,

....let me throw my two cents worth out there.



I like VG-10, it takes a great edge, offers decent edge retention, easy to sharpen.

CPM-S35VN, takes a great edge, offers better edge retention the VG-10, relatively easy to sharpen, and very tough for a stainless steel.

CPM-S30V; IMHO, is the cream of the crop; similar to S35VN, but, when properly refined, the edge can be savage, it offers best edge retention of the trio, sharpening is a bit more time consuming but the results are worth the effort; knifemakers have shied away from it because it is difficult to grind and finish.


Just one knife user's opinion.




Big Mike
 
ptorres3000 said:
Is s30V better with a smooth polished or toothy? I know some steels are better at one or the other. In my experience that is.
Click to expand...



Like D2, CPM-S30V works well with a toothy edge.

That said, a highly refined edge on S30V will remain razor sharp much longer.



Big Mike
 
I have never had much fun/luck sharpening S30V. Also seems it doesn't stay that sharp for long, for me, either. I don't know if they are exactly comparable, but I like VG10 and CPM3V much better, and they are way easier for me to sharpen, so I don't consider S30V to be a premium or high end steel.
 
When the sales of knives in s30v start to slow down, then a new "wonder steel" will replace it in the same knives, and the world will stop if you don't get the same knife in the new steel.................
 
I'm fond of S30V. Like nwmetalbug said, most steels are a compromise of characteristics. S30V, while no longer a "supersteel", is a very good steel for daily use. it is a good steel that keeps its edge for a more than reasonable time and yet is not too hard to sharpen when needed. I've got quite a few knives in S30V - and many knives in more expensive steel (M390, M4, S110V, etc.). I much prefer it to D2.

But the thing is, S30V hasn't changed. it is still the same steel that people called a super steel when it was introduced. It was a great steel then, it still is. Newer, more expensive steels have since been introduced but my S30V knives perform every bit as well as they did a few years ago. The steel hasn't changed, just our perception has. ;)

JMO.
 
Last edited:
There is nothing wrong with S30V, great all around user steel that holds an edge for a good amount of time, not all that difficult or time consuming to sharpen or touch up, pretty rust resistant and reasonably tough.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top