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S60v
- Thread starter RedEdge77
- Start date
- Joined
- May 26, 2005
- Messages
- 567
Yes. CPM-440V was the old designation for the exact same steel, Crucible's CPM-S60V. I have several knives made of it. CPM = Crucible Powder Metallurgy.
Some firms such as Kershaw and Boker still offer blades in this steel. But for production knives, IMHO, the safer bet, in stain resistant steels is CPM-S30V or VG10.
CPM-S60V has a higher percentage of vanadium than CPM-S30V, and is presented by Crucible as more wear resistant or, its ability to hold an edge.. Unlike CPM-S30V, S60V has no nitrogen in the mix and depends purely on chromium content for rust resistance. CPM-S30V is presented by Crucible as a premium knife steel.
In my readings, the main criticism of CPM-S60V is its brittleness. That is, its lack of toughness; Its tendency to chip or break under the stress of sudden shock. This comes to the forefront in larger blades where chopping and batoning becomes more probable.
All of my knives, with this steel, have the old designation of CPM-440V. I have several Kershaw folders, all with blades under 4 inches. They are too small to effectively chop IMO but I have not experienced any chipping or other blade failure. In my experience, they hold and edge for a longer than average time.
I own one 6 inch long Sean Williams fixed blade in CPM-440V. Williams forged this steel and, to my knowledge, he is the only one who has forged CPM-440V/S60V. I do not know if he is still an active knifemaker. I have used this knife for hunting and extensive chopping, in the woods. There was never a break or a chip and it hardly seemed to dull. I believe I sharpened it more often than necessary, on general principle.
There are newer rust-resistant steels now entering the market. ZDP-189 and CPM-S90V. ZDP-189 is hardenable to Rockwell 67. Right now it is available as a sandwich with ZDP-189 in the center and softer stainless on either side. I see rumors on these forums that ZDP189 might be offered as a non-sandwich blade steel, by some firms, but at a slightly lower hardness, still exeeding most other steels.
Crucible's CPM-S90V is supposed to have an execptionally good
balance of toughness, rust resistance and wear resistance, and, I would guess, be a competitor to ZDP-189. But from initial reports, CPM-S90V is tough to grind and somewhat hard to sharpen on conventional stones/alumina. Not having any experience with these last two steels, I would still guess, sharpeners of silicon carbide, boron carbide and diamond would work OK.
Some firms such as Kershaw and Boker still offer blades in this steel. But for production knives, IMHO, the safer bet, in stain resistant steels is CPM-S30V or VG10.
CPM-S60V has a higher percentage of vanadium than CPM-S30V, and is presented by Crucible as more wear resistant or, its ability to hold an edge.. Unlike CPM-S30V, S60V has no nitrogen in the mix and depends purely on chromium content for rust resistance. CPM-S30V is presented by Crucible as a premium knife steel.
In my readings, the main criticism of CPM-S60V is its brittleness. That is, its lack of toughness; Its tendency to chip or break under the stress of sudden shock. This comes to the forefront in larger blades where chopping and batoning becomes more probable.
All of my knives, with this steel, have the old designation of CPM-440V. I have several Kershaw folders, all with blades under 4 inches. They are too small to effectively chop IMO but I have not experienced any chipping or other blade failure. In my experience, they hold and edge for a longer than average time.
I own one 6 inch long Sean Williams fixed blade in CPM-440V. Williams forged this steel and, to my knowledge, he is the only one who has forged CPM-440V/S60V. I do not know if he is still an active knifemaker. I have used this knife for hunting and extensive chopping, in the woods. There was never a break or a chip and it hardly seemed to dull. I believe I sharpened it more often than necessary, on general principle.
There are newer rust-resistant steels now entering the market. ZDP-189 and CPM-S90V. ZDP-189 is hardenable to Rockwell 67. Right now it is available as a sandwich with ZDP-189 in the center and softer stainless on either side. I see rumors on these forums that ZDP189 might be offered as a non-sandwich blade steel, by some firms, but at a slightly lower hardness, still exeeding most other steels.
Crucible's CPM-S90V is supposed to have an execptionally good
balance of toughness, rust resistance and wear resistance, and, I would guess, be a competitor to ZDP-189. But from initial reports, CPM-S90V is tough to grind and somewhat hard to sharpen on conventional stones/alumina. Not having any experience with these last two steels, I would still guess, sharpeners of silicon carbide, boron carbide and diamond would work OK.
- Joined
- Mar 26, 2004
- Messages
- 24,600
Edgy covered it pretty well.
To add a few things:
S60V/CMP440V has a strange enigma in knives. With lots of vandium carbides, it has extremely high wear resistance. But as Edgy mentioned, it's biggest problem was brittleness. Not to mention being a PITA to sharpen. This is why you will usually see it at a relatively low hardness, about 56-57Rc. It's easier to sharpen at this level, and it is less prone to chipping. Of course, the downside is that it will have a higher tendancy to roll, as would any steel this soft.
This weird dichotomy, combined with the fact it's difficult to machine and finish, is why you don't see it used much anymore. S30V has a much better balance of characteristics for use in knives, both for manufacturers and users.
To add a few things:
S60V/CMP440V has a strange enigma in knives. With lots of vandium carbides, it has extremely high wear resistance. But as Edgy mentioned, it's biggest problem was brittleness. Not to mention being a PITA to sharpen. This is why you will usually see it at a relatively low hardness, about 56-57Rc. It's easier to sharpen at this level, and it is less prone to chipping. Of course, the downside is that it will have a higher tendancy to roll, as would any steel this soft.
This weird dichotomy, combined with the fact it's difficult to machine and finish, is why you don't see it used much anymore. S30V has a much better balance of characteristics for use in knives, both for manufacturers and users.