s35vn for general outdoors use?

[Bushleague270]

I recently got a Buck 105 as a hunting/ general outdoors knife and really like it. Wondering about picking up the Pro model but had some questions. I wouldnt describe anything I do with the 105 as super hard use, but its often more about the makeshift surfaces I'm working on... a paddle blade layed out on a rocky shore, driftwood logs that are impregnated with abrasives, the bottom of an overturned pot etc. I'm quite carefull but the potential for mistakes/ damage is always there, thus my initial choice of the regular 420hc, for the toughness and ease of field maintenance. Wondering if you guys think upgrading to s35Vn is a good idea given my usage?

 

[Generalist]

Knife Steel Nerds published an amazing resource comparing knife steels. If you haven't read it (maybe you have), I would recommend doing so. I've had chipping from Buck's S30V but not S35VN and would be confident in it. Less sharpening in the field is nice. Honestly, you can't go wrong with their 420HC or S35VN.

Article:

"Knife Steels Rated by a Metallurgist – Toughness, Edge Retention, and Corrosion Resistance"

 

[Lesknife]

I have several knives now in s35vn including the 105 pathfinder. I have used some in dirty tough materials, cut a lot of large round bale strings and netting and they held up well I haven’t had any problems with any of them. I’ve used them out camping, fishing and hunting not babying them at all but nothing stupid either. S35vn should be just fine, maybe not as tough as 420hc but will cut a longer time and just about as easy to sharpen.

 

[JJ_Colt45]

S35VN is a pretty decently balanced steel and I like it better than most of the steels that lots of people praise highly in the last 5 years. For me it's a real solid choice for an outdoors knife. Takes a good aggressive edge fairly easily and holds up to a bit of harder use than many. I've not experienced chipping with S35VN like I have many other popular steels.

 

[Ironbut]

S35VN is a pretty decently balanced steel and I like it better than most of the steels that lots of people praise highly in the last 5 years. For me it's a real solid choice for an outdoors knife. Takes a good aggressive edge fairly easily and holds up to a bit of harder use than many. I've not experienced chipping with S35VN like I have many other popular steels.

I don't have any Buck Knives in S35VN, but I have several from other manufacturers, and this ^ has been my experience with it.

 

[SoDak81]

Buck's S35vn is my favorite steel, although I haven't had Magnacut long enough to develop an opinion on it. I cut a ton of cardboard on a weekly basis to minimize the space in our curb dumpster and S35vn is great, holds a great edge and strops back to shave sharp easily.

I'd say "go for it", you only live once and Buck does S35vn really well