S35VN

[Fiddleback]

I love using S35VN on the mid tech knives. They're tough as hell. We have Peters do the heat treat, and they are 60-61.

 

[sharp_edge]

I like them too.

Man that spartan is beautiful. Someday I will get one.

 

[TheEdge01]

I'd much rather have s35vn on a fixed blade than s30v because it is tougher and easier to sharpen. I would not say they perform the same. Spartan uses s35vn exclusively on their fixed blades which I have quite a few of. Holds up well and is easy enough to sharpen. Heat treat can also be a factor here.

From the research I have done, heat treat plays a big role in a blades performance. I used to own a Native 5 in S35VN and never had an issue with edge retention, the same could be said with the PM 2 in S30V. Although, the Native 5 edge seemed to have a much finer edge that the PM 2 even after polishing it on my Sharpmaker fine stones.

 

[Sergeua]

Watched a russian knifemaker test knives he makes.
One of the 61 hardness knives in same steel he had outperformed the 62 hardened one same steel for edge retention. Just some food for thought.
He tweaks, heat treats, tests his own steel and and is very reputable and thought after russian knifemaker.
Even the speed of cooling the blade affects it's performance.

 

[Judge Luco]

I'm eager to test my newest. I think the lower hardness is for toughness. Like Randall's the lower rc makes it less likely to chip or snap