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...and as manufacturers (plural, not just one) learn and improve all the variables that go into a good blade and a good edge. :thumbup: It is early days yet with S35VN.
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S35VN edge-holding
- Thread starter maxbelg
- Start date
...and as manufacturers (plural, not just one) learn and improve all the variables that go into a good blade and a good edge. :thumbup: It is early days yet with S35VN.
- Joined
- Jul 30, 2006
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The only experience I have with S35VN is with a Spyderco Native5.
I ran a side by side comparison cutting manila rope with the Native5 and a Buck Vantage Pro in S30V. I have a fair amount of experience doing this sort of comparison.
I was unable to differentiate between the edge holding of the two knives. I saw no unusual deformation of the S35VN as I examined it under 4x magnification.
That has no bearing on the performance of a CRK, but, to me, indicates that S35VN is at least in the same ballpark as S30V in performance.
I ran a side by side comparison cutting manila rope with the Native5 and a Buck Vantage Pro in S30V. I have a fair amount of experience doing this sort of comparison.
I was unable to differentiate between the edge holding of the two knives. I saw no unusual deformation of the S35VN as I examined it under 4x magnification.
That has no bearing on the performance of a CRK, but, to me, indicates that S35VN is at least in the same ballpark as S30V in performance.
Ankerson
Knife and Computer Geek
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- Nov 2, 2002
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Got a Native 5 in today that I will be running a full test on, my full battery of tests.
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- Oct 3, 1998
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Perhaps, the Steel-of-the-Week mentality is the problem. Everyone wants something new, but when that new material has issues, perceived or real, the vocal few become disappointed, irritated and raise concerns.
Maybe it's time to step away from that mindset, and concentrate on what works reliably. Unfortunately, though, that's not what sells knives to a lot of people.
I've been around the internet-based knife forums since day-1, and the steel hype mentality I'm seeing is probably the worst it has ever been, and it's damaging the hobby aspect.
I'm perfectly happy with my BG-42 Sebbie, ATS-34 BM Brend, G-2 Endura, ATS-55 Endura, etc etc. Guess what? They all cut and do what they are supposed to do.
I don't worry about grain structure, nano-cracks, elemental percentages, heat treat temperature degrees...For the most part, most people using identical blades, and different steels, couldn't tell them apart in normal usage. Take a breath, step away and enjoy the hobby without the hype.
Maybe it's time to step away from that mindset, and concentrate on what works reliably. Unfortunately, though, that's not what sells knives to a lot of people.
I've been around the internet-based knife forums since day-1, and the steel hype mentality I'm seeing is probably the worst it has ever been, and it's damaging the hobby aspect.
I'm perfectly happy with my BG-42 Sebbie, ATS-34 BM Brend, G-2 Endura, ATS-55 Endura, etc etc. Guess what? They all cut and do what they are supposed to do.
I don't worry about grain structure, nano-cracks, elemental percentages, heat treat temperature degrees...For the most part, most people using identical blades, and different steels, couldn't tell them apart in normal usage. Take a breath, step away and enjoy the hobby without the hype.
ohmyheckinslc
Gold Member
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- Nov 4, 2005
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- 1,144
Got a Native 5 in today that I will be running a full test on, my full battery of tests.
Jimney Christmas, that's great news... <snicker...>
You're going to post that in the review section here, right? I'm really curious about your findings.
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- Sep 19, 2011
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Why was Cliff Stamp banned on here?
- Joined
- Apr 9, 2004
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- 9,438
I like S35VN. It's tough and holds a great edge. Easy to resharpen too.
Scott
Scott
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- Jul 30, 2006
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Cliff had a habit of posting veiled insults. For years he knew exactly where the edge was. He infuriated many with his insults, but managed to avoid penalty. One day he stepped over the line and got too blatant with an insult aimed at BF and its management as a whole.
Seems to take a bit finer edge than S30V as well.
- Joined
- Mar 1, 2010
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I think that when people buy into the hype is when their experience with the hobby becomes less enjoyable. I am a wannabe steel head and I don't buy new steels expecting a magic steel. I buy them because I want to see and experience for myself what they have to offer. That is part of how I enjoy my hobby.
PS: I hate hype and the more something is hyped, the more I suspect something. Some people do call me paranoid.
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- Jul 22, 2009
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Being a steel junkie myself, I find it to be healthy now and again to try the "lesser" steels just to get a broad perspective, and perhaps to appreciate my super steels even more.
I've recently purchased a William Henry folder with ZDP-189 at Rc 67, something I would have avoided in the past due to the hype about its brittle nature. I've also bought a Mora with 12C27(which confirmed my suspicions of it being a budget steel, but I agree that it's easy to sharpen). I've also put in an order for a custom from the Buck Knife Shop for a 110 folding hunter in S30V, just to appreciate the classic nail nick folder with no pocket clip and requires 2-handed operation. And while I'm waiting, I bid on and won an old and used Buck 110 with 4 pin construction, which I assume is 420HC. Certainly not something you'd expect from someone with every super steel from H1(super stain resistance) to S125V(super wear resistance) and everything in between(no Rex 121 or 10V as carbon steels are too high maintenance for me).
It's nice to take a step backwards to realize that steel is steel and there will be no magical adamantium alloy that is utterly impervious to damage from use and never requires sharpening. Some steels will cut cardboard longer than others, maybe a few days longer, maybe a few weeks longer. But for mundane tasks not even approaching cardboard, I'd say even the cheap Chinese steels will handle those just fine.
I've recently purchased a William Henry folder with ZDP-189 at Rc 67, something I would have avoided in the past due to the hype about its brittle nature. I've also bought a Mora with 12C27(which confirmed my suspicions of it being a budget steel, but I agree that it's easy to sharpen). I've also put in an order for a custom from the Buck Knife Shop for a 110 folding hunter in S30V, just to appreciate the classic nail nick folder with no pocket clip and requires 2-handed operation. And while I'm waiting, I bid on and won an old and used Buck 110 with 4 pin construction, which I assume is 420HC. Certainly not something you'd expect from someone with every super steel from H1(super stain resistance) to S125V(super wear resistance) and everything in between(no Rex 121 or 10V as carbon steels are too high maintenance for me).
It's nice to take a step backwards to realize that steel is steel and there will be no magical adamantium alloy that is utterly impervious to damage from use and never requires sharpening. Some steels will cut cardboard longer than others, maybe a few days longer, maybe a few weeks longer. But for mundane tasks not even approaching cardboard, I'd say even the cheap Chinese steels will handle those just fine.
Ankerson
Knife and Computer Geek
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- Nov 2, 2002
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Jimney Christmas, that's great news... <snicker...>
You're going to post that in the review section here, right? I'm really curious about your findings.
Yes, I will post it up in the Review section once I am done, getting ready to put my edge on it and get started here soon.