S35VN vs. S30V in Sebenza

E

edtpm

Joined
Jun 24, 2004
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23
Hi,
Recently, I am interesting in purchasing a Sebenza21 or Sebenza Classic from shop. I found Sebenza Classic will come with S30V blade and Sebenza21 will come with S35VN blade.

I would like to hear your suggestion in this for me. Thanks.

Best Regards,
EDTPM
 
I would get the latest and greatest. You probably wont be able to tell the difference between the steels but the 21 frame is more refined.
 
Yeah, I'd agree. Would most people, even knife nuts, really notice that fine difference? Probably not. But Chris Reeve knows what he's doing, so I'd trust him on the steel change. As far as the 21 vs. the classic, that's a more subjective thing. I'd handle both if I were you. I'd think there are more people leaning toward the ergos of the 21, but then someone will come on and tell you that they've found that it's quite the opposite. Very much subjective.

The only thing I can tell you with any kind of certainty is that you can't go wrong with either.
 
If you have a chance to handle them, do so. The 21's just a slightly refined/updated version of the Classic. But I'd say check them out & see how they both work to you. Having had quite a # of Sebenzas (Lg, small, Regulars, Classics, & 21s), the newer ones' lock-bar seem to engage further vs the older ones. I seem to recall that my older Regulars & Classics had earlier lock-up. It might not be an issue, though, since CRK will refurbished a Sebenza for a very reasonable amount & they don't "ding" you if you take them apart (They encourage it, obviously), but you never know.

If both have action/lock-up that seem about the same, I'd go for the 21. Now, if there's a Regular model available, that might be a different story, but again, check them out & see how each feels.
 
Nothing wrong with any of them, so go ahead and pick the one that speaks to you.

Personally I like the more rounded edges of the Classic but dislike the stamp/engraving on the pivot area. The latter might be a moot point if the 21 is an "Idaho made" one, which it most probably is.

An argument could be made for the new-style hole in the blade for the ceramic detent ball in the 21. Seems to me that it makes for more positive blade retention.
 
I've owned over ten sebenzas in S30V, and six or seven in S35VN, and the biggest difference I can notice, is that the newer S35VN seems to take a much sharper edge much much faster and easier on my sharpmaker ceramic rods. I've used em until they're damn near dull, and within a few minutes of applying light even strokes, the blade will treetop hairs off of my arms with amazing ease. This isn't all in my head either, its tried and true, repeatedly.

Watch out though, if you do decide that you want to try out the newer S35VN, and I highly recommend it, not all Sebenza 21's have the newer steel. You will just have to check the birthcard, but most of them born in 2011 have it, maybe as early as January, but I know that they were using it in February. Not all the newer insingos and tantos have it though. I recently saw an Insingo Sebenza born in may of 2011, that was still made using the older S30V steel. Another way to tell, if you don't have the birth-card, is to look on the tang of the blade. The S35VN blades are marked with a "V" where as the S30V blades are marked with a "S". You would probably have to have the knife disassembled to see it though.
Hope this helps :)
 
Thanks for all your response. While I visit the shop, I had decided to take Classic Sebenza with PAW Print. I had considered the Paw Print Sebenza for around 5 years even I had several Sebenza on hand already. As this might be my last chance to get Paw Print Classic Sebenza, I will have a lot of chances to get Sebenza21 in S35VN in the future.

Best Regards,
 
BigBrad75 said:
I've owned over ten sebenzas in S30V, and six or seven in S35VN, and the biggest difference I can notice, is that the newer S35VN seems to take a much sharper edge much much faster and easier on my sharpmaker ceramic rods. I've used em until they're damn near dull, and within a few minutes of applying light even strokes, the blade will treetop hairs off of my arms with amazing ease. This isn't all in my head either, its tried and true, repeatedly.

Watch out though, if you do decide that you want to try out the newer S35VN, and I highly recommend it, not all Sebenza 21's have the newer steel. You will just have to check the birthcard, but most of them born in 2011 have it, maybe as early as January, but I know that they were using it in February. Not all the newer insingos and tantos have it though. I recently saw an Insingo Sebenza born in may of 2011, that was still made using the older S30V steel. Another way to tell, if you don't have the birth-card, is to look on the tang of the blade. The S35VN blades are marked with a "V" where as the S30V blades are marked with a "S". You would probably have to have the knife disassembled to see it though.
Hope this helps :)
Click to expand...

S35VN will be slightly easier to sharpen because it has less Vanadium in it than S30V so that's a given.

Overall in use there won't be a noticable difference in performance in normal use.

Is S35VN the steel to sell all of those S30V knives and change over too....... No, it's not because S35VN really doesn't give us anything more than S30V does.

That's based off of my testing of both S35VN and S30V.
 
I think the 20% added toughness will help with micro chipping and chipping some, including myself have had with s30
 
spydusse said:
I think the 20% added toughness will help with micro chipping and chipping some, including myself have had with s30
Click to expand...

Haven't had any issues with S30V chipping on me.

But then I don't cut concrete with my knives. :D

Although I just finished testing a Custom folder in S35VN that is ground thin behind the edge at .015" (thickest part) and I had zero issues with chipping even under hard cutting tasks.

It does develop that toothy working edge just like S30V.
 
The biggest "noticeable" difference between the s30 and s35 is the stonewash applied. The s30 is duller and more flat in sheen. The s35 is shinier and almost reflective. Very noticeable to someone familiar.
Pretty sure this was a consistent technique implemented by CRK, but they may have changed it up some. As most know, they usually make slight changes to their runs.
 
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