Have any of you noticed any discernable difference between the BG-42 and the S30V versions of the Sebenza? I have seen the BG-42 versions available from time to time in the secondary market and am curious if there is a difference in general day to day use of the knife or if one is more difficult to sharpen than the other. I'm sure if one were to do the testing that Cliff Stamp or others do, S30V is better, otherwise Mr. Reeve would not have switched, but is it obvious. I would be most grateful for any thoughts.
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Sebenza metal
- Thread starter Quy4n8
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This might be better answered in Chris Reeve Knives Fourm.
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?s=&forumid=703
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?s=&forumid=703
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Hmmm. I'm not sure that the CRK forum is necessarily the best place for an answer. Generally-speaking, the manufacturer forums are filled with harder-core fans of the particular manufacturer, which doesn't make the opinions therein invalid, but means it's not a bad idea to ask the question elsewhere, IMO. Of course, the CRK forum has been admirably brutal in its analysis of the BG-42->S30V switch.
Also, I wouldn't necessarily rush to the conclusion that, " S30V is better, otherwise Mr. Reeve would not have switched." S30V meets Chris's objectives better, but will it meet yours? For example, Cliff and others have pointed out that CRK's S30V is several Rc points lower than BG-42, which means the S30V blade will be weaker and probably more susceptible to blunting. On the other hand, depending on what you're doing, there's a good chance you'll never see this effect, and S30V's advantage in easy sharpening might be more noticeable to you. There are other considerations as well where BG-42 and S30V play off each other.
In any case, from all I've read (alas, I haven't been able to road test either), both the BG-42 version and S30V version are awesome, and if I'd decided to buy a Sebenza, I wouldn't for a second think twice about picking one up just because it was an "old" BG-42 version.
Joe
Also, I wouldn't necessarily rush to the conclusion that, " S30V is better, otherwise Mr. Reeve would not have switched." S30V meets Chris's objectives better, but will it meet yours? For example, Cliff and others have pointed out that CRK's S30V is several Rc points lower than BG-42, which means the S30V blade will be weaker and probably more susceptible to blunting. On the other hand, depending on what you're doing, there's a good chance you'll never see this effect, and S30V's advantage in easy sharpening might be more noticeable to you. There are other considerations as well where BG-42 and S30V play off each other.
In any case, from all I've read (alas, I haven't been able to road test either), both the BG-42 version and S30V version are awesome, and if I'd decided to buy a Sebenza, I wouldn't for a second think twice about picking one up just because it was an "old" BG-42 version.
Joe
I wonder whether cost is one of those considerations. BG42, as far as I know, is still only available in bar stock, whereas S30V is available in rolled sheets. This is a significant cost factor. If S30V is ultimately proven to be as good as it's billing, the demand for it will probably result in much more supply and the cost of it will come down to market levels. Just my $.02.
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There is quite a bit of difference in S30V/58RC and S30V/59.5-60RC, on edge retention. I have sharpened Sebbies and another brand that is in the higher RC and there definetly is a difference that the higher RC blade will take and hold an edge noticably better.
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I have a Mike Obenauf small model 2 framelock in S30V. I sent it to Ben from Edge Pro to take him up on his offer to sharpen a knife with his system. When the knife came back it was very sharp. The enclosed note indicated that the blade was very hard to sharpen but took a good edge. I assume that Mike (being Kit Carson's son-inlaw) had the blade hardened to 60 versus the CRK 58-59. Anyway, Ben is a real pro at sharpening and he had a hard time and said that he couldn't get it as sharp as he would have liked. Like I have said previously, I'm a real wimp when it comes to using my knives hard. I pay a lot of money for them and can't see using them hard. I like CRK because they make left hand knives. I trust Mr. Reeve's opinion and have not had any problem with his 59Rc blades. I suppose that the Obenauf will hold the edge longer but there has been some talk of the higher RC's chipping easier. Now if I could just get Buck to make a run of left hand Buck/Mayo's..... Oh well, I e-mailed Tom and he said that the left hand Buck/Mayo isn't going to happen. But anyway I can't tell the difference but that's just my opinion.