I saw a Youtube rope test video between the two blade steel's and I tell you what. I am not seeing a huge difference that would justify the cost difference between the two. Sure, there is a performance difference I can see that but to justify that much in cost difference? Bear in mind, I am basing the cost difference using eBay as a source since I don't think Spyderco no longer sells the Para 2 in m390. So, eBay would really be a poor choice cause their prices are all over the map. Not really sure what a fair price would be for a new Paramilitary 2 m390 would be?
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S35VN vs M390
- Thread starter Rhodies
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Thanks, I'll have to check it out.
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PM2s in M390 were dealer exclusives only, so market dictates their prices. Bento Box Shop had their blue exclusive PM2 for something like $195 shipped, DLT Trading did their red exclusive for I think $145. Since both are sold out presently, market price has been hovering around $225. Right now is a poor time to buy an M390 PM2. There will likely be other M390 runs.
Are these "Exclusive Dealer Runs" ever announced beforehand? Or do they just appear one day? Do all Dealers, e.g. KnifeCenter or BladeHQ carry these special production runs or are the Dealers limited to DLT Trading, Bento Box Shop?
The exlusives are just that, exclusive. Blade HQ's M4 Manix will only ever be sold through Blade HQ, just as DLT's red PM2 was only sold through DLT. The only other place to get em' is the secondary market(here/auction sites/ect).
Most suppliers will actually start a thread on this forum to announce a new exclusive they have going on. I know DLT did with the red M390 PM2. Pretty sure there was over 160+ replies to it last I saw. Some times they don't announce it and you have to go to their website to find out for yourself.
Even still most of the time one of us(Blade forum members) usually starts a new thread to let the rest of us know about a new exclusive here as well, though.
Most suppliers will actually start a thread on this forum to announce a new exclusive they have going on. I know DLT did with the red M390 PM2. Pretty sure there was over 160+ replies to it last I saw. Some times they don't announce it and you have to go to their website to find out for yourself.
Even still most of the time one of us(Blade forum members) usually starts a new thread to let the rest of us know about a new exclusive here as well, though.
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All if the dealers you mentioned have had exclusive runs.
The DLT run was announced well in advance and there were several like days of open ordering before they sold out. You just need to actually check the manufacturers forum occasionally if you want to hear about such things when they're happening.
If you're not listening for news, there's a good chance you won't hear about them till it's too late.
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I'm under the impression that any dealer can get a dealer exclusive if they're willing to pay for the run and the run is big enough to be worth Spyderco's while, although I'm sure there's a few more considerations that Sal and company think about before greenlighting an exclusive run. All of the major dealers and some of the minor ones have had dealer exclusive runs. Some of them tend to have common themes, i.e. Bento Box Shop's exclusives are basically always blue G10 handles.
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Which test? So many variables come into play with these tests.
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I like these tests better than smoke eater. But he's not using pm2's... M390 is over 100 cuts more with a work sharp convex. So it's clearly a more edge retention resistance over S35VN. I'd say thats a fair bit more. I'm not sure how the tests would go if he used two pm2's in those steel types as they all use different heat treatment. But normally the same steel is often around the same within margin of error of course.
Similar results from Ankersons tests.
https://www.bladeforums.com/threads...ed-on-edge-retention-cutting-5-8-rope.793481/
Similar results from Ankersons tests.
https://www.bladeforums.com/threads...ed-on-edge-retention-cutting-5-8-rope.793481/
OP, if you want a reasonably priced knife in one of these steels, consider these 3 examples:
* Spyderco Native 5 lightweight in S35vn: $86
* Kershaw Dividend M390: can get them as low as $71 if you shop around
* Kershaw Link M390: $78
IMHO, this lower price point example illustrates that there's not a huge price difference in these steels among similar knives at similar price points. You can find a great knife in either of these steels starting at about this price level and working your way up. Probably more options in S35vn because it's been around longer. But I don't think the price difference is huge, if that's what's concerning you.
Performance-wise, YMMV. I do notice in my own knives that I don't have to sharpen M390/20cv blades as often as anything S30/S35. However, edge retention isn't everything, there's also toughness to consider. In a typical folder, which is I assume what you're talking about, IMHO toughness is slightly less important compared to other attributes as it would be in a full-sized fixed blade that you use for heavy work. In a folder, great edge retention is a super valuable attribute since you use it a lot for small daily tasks. Given all that and the similar pricing, to me, M390/20cv are worth any small price premium above S35vn for a similar knife.
* Spyderco Native 5 lightweight in S35vn: $86
* Kershaw Dividend M390: can get them as low as $71 if you shop around
* Kershaw Link M390: $78
IMHO, this lower price point example illustrates that there's not a huge price difference in these steels among similar knives at similar price points. You can find a great knife in either of these steels starting at about this price level and working your way up. Probably more options in S35vn because it's been around longer. But I don't think the price difference is huge, if that's what's concerning you.
Performance-wise, YMMV. I do notice in my own knives that I don't have to sharpen M390/20cv blades as often as anything S30/S35. However, edge retention isn't everything, there's also toughness to consider. In a typical folder, which is I assume what you're talking about, IMHO toughness is slightly less important compared to other attributes as it would be in a full-sized fixed blade that you use for heavy work. In a folder, great edge retention is a super valuable attribute since you use it a lot for small daily tasks. Given all that and the similar pricing, to me, M390/20cv are worth any small price premium above S35vn for a similar knife.
Mo2
& Maximus83 - Thanks for sharing the video clips and Kershaw info. It appears that I need to look beyond my nose, be more creative in my searches.A link I'd like to share https://www.spyderco.com/forumII/viewtopic.php?t=72920. It lists all upcoming exclusive runs by vendor. Thinking that this will be a useful bit of info for some folks like me. Sadly, I saw no m390 (I know, I'm stuck on Spyderco) listed in their upcoming list, only in their current list under DLC Trading which we all know is sold out.
I see V-Toku2 Tool Steel Laminated with SUS310 Stainless Steel-mentioned on more than a few runs. This is something new to me. Maybe like CPM M4 but on steroids? I don't know?
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I have yet to try it but am hoping to be able to spring for one next year. It's supposed to be similar to super blue and or 52100. M4 is more of a tool steel. But whatever it will be like, it should be a great steel.
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A link I'd like to share https://www.spyderco.com/forumII/viewtopic.php?t=72920. It lists all upcoming exclusive runs by vendor. Thinking that this will be a useful bit of info for some folks like me. Sadly, I saw no m390 (I know, I'm stuck on Spyderco) listed in their upcoming list, only in their current list under DLC Trading which we all know is sold out.
I see V-Toku2 Tool Steel Laminated with SUS310 Stainless Steel-mentioned on more than a few runs. This is something new to me. Maybe like CPM M4 but on steroids? I don't know?
Interesting, the Darn Dao got pushed back in favor of some more recently announced models, that's good, it'll give my wallet time to recover.
I think Halden posted somewhere else he was kinda' underwhelmed/disappointed with the Spydie 2018 catalog. I am too, actually. Huge fan, but was looking for more offerings with some of the newer premium steels in their most popular models.
Two examples:
* I'd love a mainstream PM2 or Native offering in M390/20cv, right around $150, and no goofball bright red/bright blue colors that you cannot easily take out in public. But nothing like that on the horizon from what's been published.
* SUPER SUPER disappointed that they axed the Domino model (I recently bought one in CTS-XHP). This is an outstanding flipper/framelock design, extremely slicey, in a "gentleman folder" configuration. If ever there was a model they should keep, and offer in a more premium steel like 20cv, this is it.
Two examples:
* I'd love a mainstream PM2 or Native offering in M390/20cv, right around $150, and no goofball bright red/bright blue colors that you cannot easily take out in public. But nothing like that on the horizon from what's been published.
* SUPER SUPER disappointed that they axed the Domino model (I recently bought one in CTS-XHP). This is an outstanding flipper/framelock design, extremely slicey, in a "gentleman folder" configuration. If ever there was a model they should keep, and offer in a more premium steel like 20cv, this is it.
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Hi,
To change the way you think about these single run rope cutting tests,
Watch Edge Retention - 3Cr13/420, VG-10, k390, CPM-M4 (cardboard) - CliffStamp
or read Edge Retention : Cardboard