Sebenza now in S35VN?

[foxx]

Bark River made two knives from CPM S35VN, I own both, but haven't put them through the paces yet.
Over on Knife Forums, there are some reviews of these knives. One guy processed 20 deer, and only had to touch it up on some 1500 grit sandpaper. That's pretty amazing. Bark River says they did the hardness at 60-61. That's what Crucible says is best for this steel, according to Mike Stewart.
I'm glad to see more knives using this steel.

 

[PurpleHaze]

Pretty excited to try it out. Box size has seemed to change as well.

 

[DBH]

I do plan on getting a few sebenzas and an insingo with the new steel for sure.

 

[arjung]

Pretty excited to try it out. Box size has seemed to change as well.

The more elongated boxes have been in use for quite a while. My sebenza from last june came in one

As for the steel I'm interested to see how it performs. CRK is going for the 58-59 hardness again. Curious to see how that softer heat treat performs.

 

[snowreaper1]

Ughhhh...I should have waited a few weeks to pick up my sebenza. Oh well.
S30v still kicks ass.

 

[ThumperACC]

CRK is going for the 58-59 hardness again. Curious to see how that softer heat treat performs.

I've seen this sentiment a few times now and I must comment. For what it is worth, my very high quality Nimba Anvil is hardened to RC 50-52. So that means that the 'softer' heat treated S30v sebenzas would cut into the face of my anvil.

Just thought I'd offer some perspective on the hardness of CRK S30v.

ThumperACC

 

[arjung]

I've seen this sentiment a few times now and I must comment. For what it is worth, my very high quality Nimba Anvil is hardened to RC 50-52. So that means that the 'softer' heat treated S30v sebenzas would cut into the face of my anvil.

Just thought I'd offer some perspective on the hardness of CRK S30v.

ThumperACC

It wasn't a sentiment so much as a question. I'm very happy with the S30V on my sebenza, but I have noticed it performs and sharpens up differently from my other blades in S30V from different manufacturers. Not better, not worse, just different

Hence I am curious to see reports from those who use to see what it performs like to another S35Vn blade heat treated to 60-61 since I'm not a knifemaker nor a mettalurgist. I am however a curious bloke that likes to read.

 

[PurpleHaze]

The more elongated boxes have been in use for quite a while. My sebenza from last june came in one

As for the steel I'm interested to see how it performs. CRK is going for the 58-59 hardness again. Curious to see how that softer heat treat performs.

Guess that really shows how long it's been since I've bought a Sebenza NIB. I've used it all day cutting cardboard and packages, and it still shaves hair. So far, so good.

 

[ThumperACC]

... I've used it all day cutting cardboard and packages, and it still shaves hair...

Well, that's impressive. I've not seen S30v do that, not from CRK, not from Benchmade, not from Spyderco. In my experience, S30v will cut cardboard all day, very well I might add, but will lost its shaving sharpness pretty quick.

Sounds like S35vn might be something to pay attention to.

Thanks,
ThumperACC

 

[ThumperACC]

It wasn't a sentiment so much as a question. I'm very happy with the S30V on my sebenza, but I have noticed it performs and sharpens up differently from my other blades in S30V from different manufacturers. Not better, not worse, just different

Hence I am curious to see reports from those who use to see what it performs like to another S35Vn blade heat treated to 60-61 since I'm not a knifemaker nor a mettalurgist. I am however a curious bloke that likes to read.

Hi arjung,

I wasn't really throwing that at you per se. You were just the umpteenth person I've seen mention the 'softer' S30v from CRK. It was really directed at the group of people that seem to be in love with RC60+, and seem to be so just because it is the highest RC number they can get in S30v. You know, higher is better.

For myself, I believe Chris treats his S30v to 58-59 to produce a well considered compromise. His knives (though beautiful works of art, some of them) are meant to be hard use working knives, and edge chipping (which becomes more likely the harder you go) is not a good attribute in a work knife. I have a knife in D2 tool steel (RC62) that keeps its edge forever...it takes forever to sharpen too.

There are anvil manufacturers that harden to the high 50s and even some that go to 60. However, many of these suffer from chipping at the edge of the face. Clean, round edges are a must on an anvil, so avoiding edge chipping is an important consideration.


ThumperACC

 

[din]

I'm curious if anyone has noticed the S35VN on a recent umnumzaan? when that happens I'll have to send mine to the spa for a blade swap.

 

[phrenik]

Anyone know the more down and dirty/gritty differences between the two? [i know its not all chemical composition a lot has to do with heat treat etc, but since it is the same knife/manufacterer]

Now the steel that CRK gets may just very well differ in whats in the steel. But given spydercos chemcical composition chart:
CPM:
s30v: 1.45 C, 2.0 Mo, 14 Cr, 4V
s35vn: 1.38 C, 2.0 Mo, 14 Cr, 3V, 0.5 Nb [niobium]

Given this, less carbon and vanadium which help to increase strength, wear resistance etc that we commonly associate with these two elements. I am curious as to having less C, and V, but the addition of Niobum, which is said to be used in quite a few super alloys, but I haven't read anything in terms of knife metallurgy persay. Does anyone know how this all plays out to make it better? I know that spyderco also changed out their native 5 from s30v on their native 4, to s35vn on their native 5. [and their info sheet has nothing on Nb]

Very interesting to here your thoughts

 

[orchunter93]

I bet that with either steel, the sebenza is still a great knife. No it doesn't have as high a heat treat as from other brands, but with some patience and time, it really doesn't matter. They are built to last for years and decades on end, so having a little less hardness isn't too big of a deal. Sharpening more just means that you will be adding more character and memories to your knife. i always like the knives that I beat the crap out of and then bring back to a shaving edge. I haven't heard too much about s35VN, so I will be interested in everyone's findings on the steel.

 

[guoxin]

Anyone know the more down and dirty/gritty differences between the two? [i know its not all chemical composition a lot has to do with heat treat etc, but since it is the same knife/manufacterer]

Now the steel that CRK gets may just very well differ in whats in the steel. But given spydercos chemcical composition chart:
CPM:
s30v: 1.45 C, 2.0 Mo, 14 Cr, 4V
s35vn: 1.38 C, 2.0 Mo, 14 Cr, 3V, 0.5 Nb [niobium]

Given this, less carbon and vanadium which help to increase strength, wear resistance etc that we commonly associate with these two elements. I am curious as to having less C, and V, but the addition of Niobum, which is said to be used in quite a few super alloys, but I haven't read anything in terms of knife metallurgy persay. Does anyone know how this all plays out to make it better? I know that spyderco also changed out their native 5 from s30v on their native 4, to s35vn on their native 5. [and their info sheet has nothing on Nb]

Very interesting to here your thoughts

good question :thumbup:, i am wondering too.

 

[JNewell]

Here's what Crucible says in their data sheet. If I read that right, edge retention (wear resistance) will be about the same, but resistance to lateral force (toughness) is greater (for those who edge-pry with their blades...). It also seems likely to polish up better with less materials and labor, a plus for knifemakers.

CPM S35VN is a martensitic stainless steel designed to offer
improved toughness over CPM S30V. It is also easier to machine
and polish than CPM S30V. Its chemistry has been rebalanced
so that it forms some niobium carbides along with vanadium and
chromium carbides. Substituting niobium carbides for some of the
vanadium carbides makes CPM S35VN about 15-20% tougher
than CPM S30V without any loss of wear resistance. CPM S35VN’s
improved toughness gives it better resistance to edge chipping.
Because both vanadium and niobium carbides are harder and more
effective than chromium carbides in providing wear resistance,
the CPM stainless blade steels offer improved edge retention
over conventional high chromium steels such as 440C and D2​

Anyone know the more down and dirty/gritty differences between the two? [i know its not all chemical composition a lot has to do with heat treat etc, but since it is the same knife/manufacterer]

Now the steel that CRK gets may just very well differ in whats in the steel. But given spydercos chemcical composition chart:
CPM:
s30v: 1.45 C, 2.0 Mo, 14 Cr, 4V
s35vn: 1.38 C, 2.0 Mo, 14 Cr, 3V, 0.5 Nb [niobium]

Given this, less carbon and vanadium which help to increase strength, wear resistance etc that we commonly associate with these two elements. I am curious as to having less C, and V, but the addition of Niobum, which is said to be used in quite a few super alloys, but I haven't read anything in terms of knife metallurgy persay. Does anyone know how this all plays out to make it better? I know that spyderco also changed out their native 5 from s30v on their native 4, to s35vn on their native 5. [and their info sheet has nothing on Nb]

Very interesting to here your thoughts

 

[phrenik]

Thanks so much for finding that Jnewelll, very interesting, I knew that it had to do with the super alloys, just not sure where in the equation it fit, and this explains why the loss of C and V, in order to accommodate Nb and for it to form those carbides, which as it states pretty much makes it like a s30v type 2.0 lol

 

[lathrop]

My small bocate (1-31-11 birthday) arrived today, it's s35v and doesn't have the IM stamp. I suspect the combo of s35v and a plain back will become a rare variation someday. I bought it because of the dramatic bocate grain but am thrilled with these other particulars.

The price went up, $425.00 for a small inlay model.

 

[Medic1210]

I've seen this sentiment a few times now and I must comment. For what it is worth, my very high quality Nimba Anvil is hardened to RC 50-52. So that means that the 'softer' heat treated S30v sebenzas would cut into the face of my anvil.

Just thought I'd offer some perspective on the hardness of CRK S30v.

ThumperACC

But how well does your anvil shave hair after cutting a cardboard box?

 

[atony]

I'm sending in a Large Micarta tomorrow for S35VN, I'm excited to see how it performs.

 

[JNewell]

I'm sending in a Large Micarta tomorrow for S35VN, I'm excited to see how it performs.

Cost?