S35VN Steel History and Properties

This makes me feel better about Spyderco transitioning the Native 5 from S35VN to S30V. I was afraid that S35VN was better and costs were being cut, but that doesn't appear to be the case. A small knife like the Native does not need as much toughness as it needs edge retention, which the CATRA tests show S30V to be superior at. All of this, of course, is likely splitting hairs when it comes to real world performance between the two.

This is the first I've heard of S45VN. If anyone needs me I'll be under my rock.
 
Just feel this is so funny that I need to LOL again...
“Estimate based upon market feedback.” for CATRA testing S35VN... I guess the spec can't go public without marketing team's revision :D
 
A Buck 112 Slim Pro plus in S35VN was the absolute sharpest knife of any kind I have seen. I have S30V Slims and they are great users but I think S35VN is slightly better staying really sharp.
 
I used to not be a huge fan of S35vn... I had a ZT that just seemed really poor with regard to edge retention. I have since seen that some ZTs had issues with S35vn. I now have a CRK Inkosi and it is MUCH better then the ZT was... I also have a small bark river in S35vn. It's good steel when done properly. I notice the improved toughness over S30 I think.
 
rileybassman1 said:
I used to not be a huge fan of S35vn... I had a ZT that just seemed really poor with regard to edge retention. I have since seen that some ZTs had issues with S35vn. I now have a CRK Inkosi and it is MUCH better then the ZT was... I also have a small bark river in S35vn. It's good steel when done properly. I notice the improved toughness over S30 I think.
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I had the same experience. I've had a couple ZTs in it and they were OK. I didnt see a huge boost in performance, but I chalked it up to not being a "steel snob" since a good chunk of my collection is made from reclaimed truck leaf springs;)

When I bought my CRK, I finally understood what they were doing with it. Between the treatment and the edge they put on it, its blown the ZTs I have made in it out of the water. It's about as fancy a steel as I'll ever need, I think.
 
Very interesting. I find S35Vn a bit easier to sharpen than S30V, and takes a finer edge -- the exception being my Mini-Rukus in S30V. That takes a very fine edge for some reason. In real life, I don't find a whole lot difference between the two steels, though.
 
rileybassman1 said:
How do you like it?? I haven't had one in hand, but they look marvelous!
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I really like it. The knife is well built with excellent fit and finish (including the sheath). I'm happy with my handle configuration choice (terotuf with black/orange liners) and I think it's a perfect small/medium fixed blade.
I had great experience dealing with Alex. He was responsive to my mails and provided details and explanations about my options. He also provided pictures of terotuf with different liners (orange liner with and without the additional black liner) in order for me to better evaluate visually what I prefer.
I would definitely buy from him again!
 
Because it is so ubiquitous now, it seems many people turn up their noses at S35VN. This, however, further confirms that it really is an excellent steel, especially for the price. Over half my folders are S35VN by design. It's good stuff.
 
I like S35VN a lot. I have it on CRKs, as well as on a Spyderco PM2 with brown scales. Although it’s very similar to S30V, I also found that it sharpens up a bit easier and feels a bit ‘tougher’, though in use they’re close enough.

The CRKs, especially once they upped the hardness a bit on their S35VN about 6 years ago(?), is very good, IMO. Not as soft as I’ve read some people say; maybe they were referring to earlier S35VN models before CRK increased the hardness.

Jim
 
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