S35vn??

F

featherstone45

Joined
Oct 15, 2003
Messages
605
Hi Folks,

Just ordered my first sebenza today, actually my first CR knife. My question is on the blade steel, I have read and of course watched on youtube of it not performing as good as say s30v or even other s35vn blades from companies like Spyderco, with the edge rolling and what looks like on one guys test the edge warped. Its disheartning to see after dropping 400 bucks on a blade that isnt keeping up with blades that are half the cost.

Has CRK adressed this? Seems the people doing the testing have a issue with the RC not being high enough. Which again strikes me as strange as I thought I read that Chris Reeves had a hand in the making of this steel?

Just wondering what everyones thoughts are on this issue?

Thanks!
 
S35 has worked just fine on my lg micarta Insingo for about 8 or 9 months now. And I cut all kinds of random crap.
 
I'm with huntbomb. I've used both steels on sebs and umnumz, and found the S35vn to be the better steel. It holds and edge longer and does not roll like 30v.
 
If you search the forum you will find several threads on CR steel.

In my opinion the factory edge that comes on CR knives is very Sharp, however this edge has not lasted long at all ...for me....in my use.

Through use and sharpening I have found that a more traditional V-type edge works better for me on my CR knives. I can maintain this edge easier, and it holds up to my use fine.

J have a Strider SJ 75 and a custom is S35vn that I can compare to. They all have similar and satisfactory performance in my opinion.

Again I was unable to maintain the semi convex edge that comes standard on the sebbie. In my opinion the rolling I experienced was due to the very fine edge. After sharpening with a Sharpmaker and changing the 'edge geometry' a little...I have seen much better edge retention....in my use.

I'm no pro...take it for what its worth.
 
35vn works alot better than 30v for my uses. As an electrician I consider my use aa moderate to sometimes hard on the edge and 35vn holds a working edge forever without chipping or warping.

I've had Bg42 Sebs and they started out laser sharp and would eat paper and cardboard but anything like plastic or harder materials and it would always chip.

I've had s30v Sebs and they held a working edge quite well but hitting copper or aluminum at the wrong angle would chip it.

I think the s35vn is a very tough and great user steel! It has even taken a few accidental hits to steel boxes and just keeps on going!
 
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S35VN is a fine EDC folder steel. I've had it from CR, Spyderco, and ZT and have had no issues at all with it. It's held up to cutting stuff in the warehouse, garden, and woods, it's sharpened up easily, and I haven't had any edge damage with it from my cutting. I may not want it on every knife I have, but for a general use folder I have no problems with it at all.
 
Don't believe everything you see on u-tube. There was no real problem to address. Don't let self appointed internet experts and the herd mentality trump CRK's 40+ years of knifemaking experience and multiple awards for best manufacturer. Hundreds of people use CRK S35V everyday and are fully satisified with its performance.
 
I concur featherstone45 - S35VN is a great EDC steel. Let's not think about comparing to S90V and other super steels.

Let's think of a very good EDC steel that will roll a little before breaking and is "best for the general public" - that's the category for S35VN friend. :thumbup:

It's been my experience that as the edge of a Sebenza S35VN (in my case) is sharpened the steel above the factory edge is much harder and more resistant to rolling, chipping, etc. in non-abusive usage.

This isn't an unknown or crazy phenomena, but I'd rather not explain it here. :)
 
Thanks Gents,

I dont abuse my blades thats for sure, but I do use them for work. Im use to sharpening s30v with FFG (Strider, Spyderco) and use the edge pro apex to do the sharpening and maintain them with a strop, I have read that the edge on a sebenza is convex? So simple stropping to maintain the edge?
Thanks again guys, I do remember the craze when S30V hit the street and everyone said they hated it cause all it did was chip, I never had that experience and have always been very pleased with S30V.
 
cziv said:
I concur featherstone45 - S35VN is a great EDC steel. Let's not think about comparing to S90V and other super steels.

Let's think of a very good EDC steel that will roll a little before breaking and is "best for the general public" - that's the category for S35VN friend. :thumbup:

It's been my experience that as the edge of a Sebenza S35VN (in my case) is sharpened the steel above the factory edge is much harder and more resistant to rolling, chipping, etc. in non-abusive usage.

This isn't an unknown or crazy phenomena, but I'd rather not explain it here. :)
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I think you cover a few critical points here.

1. As the design goes S35VN offers greater corrosion resistance, machinability and toughness over S30V due to its composition. From what I understand these are things Chris wants in his knives.

2. As a production company, overing a balanced steel for the public is of importance. I have spoken to custom makers that use S35VN for general public for this reason and their personal folder is CPM-M4 at 67, but as he said, that would result in to many people breaking the knife. We are a small amount on the forums. There are many other people out there that have the funds, buy a knife and don't know how to care for it and I don't believe we hear about all those returns, broken tips, blades that have been on a bench grinder etc.

3. A slightly overheated edge from the factory influences the edge in a big way! This happens far easier then one might think. Removing half a mm or 1mm of steel as use goes on can expose the proper heat treat of the knife. Many are to willing to jump on a band wagon before they really used a knife.

I would still like to see CRK give CPM-154 a try. Best balanced steel on the market IMO with RWL-34. It is not a super steel as well, but offers a terrific balance.

Emerson knives have come under a lot of flack because they use 154 CM (non powdered/particle) yet when you hear Emerson discuss this in a video by Nutnfancy about the design of his knives and intended use it makes sense. When one talks to Chris and he explains his reasoning it also makes sense. Well at least it did to me.
 
I EDC my small Insingo most days and cut everything with it. That includes plastic tie straps, rope, branches, cardboard, and even food. I have found that the original edge was very frustrating since it would not stay sharp for more than about two days. Did not look or feel like it had a burr but I finally broke down and did a reprofile with my Edge Pro down to ~30 degrees inclusive with a 40 degree microbevel on my sharpmaker. Made a HUGE difference in edge holding. Not exactly sure why but now I can go weeks of use and it will still clean hair off my arm with no sign of edge rolling.

IMG_0192.jpg
 
tomsch said:
I EDC my small Insingo most days and cut everything with it. That includes plastic tie straps, rope, branches, cardboard, and even food. I have found that the original edge was very frustrating since it would not stay sharp for more than about two days. Did not look or feel like it had a burr but I finally broke down and did a reprofile with my Edge Pro down to ~30 degrees inclusive with a 40 degree microbevel on my sharpmaker. Made a HUGE difference in edge holding. Not exactly sure why but now I can go weeks of use and it will still clean hair off my arm with no sign of edge rolling.

IMG_0192.jpg
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Sounds nice! The 40° micro-bevel gives a bit more stability (strength) to resist rolling and such, while we all know the more perfectly the apex of the two edges meeting is where the radical sharpness will occur.

Your Edge Pro is just the instrument to put a scary sharp, evenly matched, edge on that Sebenza Insingo! :thumbup:
 
Beautiful edge tomsch, quick question, you used the red dot on the edge pro to set the back bevel and the microbevel the sharpmaker?, any reason for not using the edge pro to set the microbevel? I have never used a microbevel and I have been reading about them and want to give it a try.
 
featherstone45 said:
Beautiful edge tomsch, quick question, you used the red dot on the edge pro to set the back bevel and the microbevel the sharpmaker?, any reason for not using the edge pro to set the microbevel? I have never used a microbevel and I have been reading about them and want to give it a try.
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I use my edgepro exclusively and love it.

If you don't have an angle cube I would HIGHLY recommend it! The factory stones can be a few tens of a degree off and if you don't reset the next grit stone too the right angle you wont be getting the best result.

I don't even look at the dots.

Also its very easy to set a microbevel with the ep and the angle cube because let's say you set your main bevel to 24 degrees you can them use the angle cube to pin point 30 degrees for your microbevel.

And then subsequent sharpening can be dialed in exactly.
 
I used the green dot but as Steel_Addiction said it is not exact. There is also additional angle added based on the main grind that is laying on the table of the sharpener. I don't worry too much about the angle since I put a mico bevel on. I could use the Edge pro for the micro bevel and it would would be more accurate. I use the Spyderco simply because that is what I use for touch-ups. The fine and ultra-fine Sharpmaker rods are all it takes. Slow and light strokes and it back to crazy-sharp levels again.
 
Like so many things in life, heat treatment is about ballance. Target your heat treatment for maximum edge retention, and your blade will be more brittle. Aim for maximum toughness, and edge retention will not be as great. The videos you are refering to are made by people who only care about edge retention.
 
So far so good with my experiences with my insingo ans sebenzas in this steel. I am a moderate to heavy use guy and I think the steel so far is great.
 
I got my sebenza yesterday and its already been put to use lol. What a work of art, and the lock up is AMAZING! like a vault. Amazing how light it is, it comes alive in the hand. Still working on getting use to a thumb stud, but that will only take the rest of the day lol..

Will give a full review once I have had the sebenza for a few weeks.
 
featherstone45 said:
I got my sebenza yesterday and its already been put to use lol. What a work of art, and the lock up is AMAZING! like a vault. Amazing how light it is, it comes alive in the hand. Still working on getting use to a thumb stud, but that will only take the rest of the day lol..

Will give a full review once I have had the sebenza for a few weeks.
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Looking forward to it, congratulations! Pics or it never happened and all that you know! :D

Is this your 1st one or 1st S35VN? What size?
 
Thanks buddy, Its my first knife from Reeve and my first in S35vn lol, I got the large and SO glad I did. My hand really takes up the entire handle and it feels perfect. It rides in the pocket great also, you dont even know its there, Where is with other blades, SMF, military, Ruckus, you have a entire pocket filled lol. Have never been a fan of a lanyard on a pocket knife....until now lol. The pocket clip is another gem, it has that double bump in it, extra security. The titanium handle slabs are thicker then on my SMF which shocked me lol. Where I really got amazed is when you close the blade, I thought oh crap that blade will rub the handle, nope lol, it just sits right in there perfect. Reminds me of a fine tuned 1911!
 
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