Sharpening aggressive cutting steels - S90V & M390?

Gunsnknives

Gunsnknives

Joined
Mar 26, 2011
Messages
647
Just to be clear, this is not an edge retention question (although I do read all I can) -

My question is around aggressive cutting steels. I sharpened my Spyerco Military in S90V and Benchmade 581 in M390. I find that the M390 seems to cut more aggressively or more easily than the S90V. It slices newspaper easier, shaves cleaner...just seems sharper although I put the same polished edge on both (I use a Lansky).

I realize I may still have more to learn about sharpening, but when I am able to get the M390 frighteningly sharp:thumbup: and the S90V only very sharp :confused:...I wonder if I am starting to see differences in steel. Or maybe there is a "trick" when sharpening S90V and removing the burs, stropping...etc.

What are all of your experiences around these steels, and differences in steels in general. What about the sharpening of hard steels?

Thanks!
 
I have put a mirror edge on S90V and M390 as well. The M390 seems to take a finer edge and hold it better than the S90V. As has been observed elsewhere, S90V looses it's 'hair whittling' edge quite readily, but retains a 'working' edge for a ridiculously long time. Judging by the feel of the steel on the stones, there are definite differences between S90V and M390.
 
Both steels are extremely aggressive cutters, especially with coarse edges.

Sharpening S90V will take more time to get it extremely sharp due to the amount of hard carbides in the steel.

M390 will take a finer edge and it's easier to get there.
 
Thank you both for the information.

I thought I was going crazy with the differences I was seeing. This adds another dimension to evaluating steel that I was previously unaware of.

I do not have an extensive collection of knives but I am trying to assemble a small collection with difference steels.

With respect to aggressive cutting, how do people rate other steels such as Elmax, ZDP-189, VG-10, N690, 154 CM, S30V, etc? I know that HT will affect edge retention but will it also impact the aggressive cutting characteristic? Maybe the question is too broad?

You guys are great but are costing me $$$ playing with these different blades :)
 
Gunsnknives said:
Thank you both for the information.

I thought I was going crazy with the differences I was seeing. This adds another dimension to evaluating steel that I was previously unaware of.

I do not have an extensive collection of knives but I am trying to assemble a small collection with difference steels.

With respect to aggressive cutting, how do people rate other steels such as Elmax, ZDP-189, VG-10, N690, 154 CM, S30V, etc? I know that HT will affect edge retention but will it also impact the aggressive cutting characteristic? Maybe the question is too broad?

You guys are great but are costing me $$$ playing with these different blades :)
Click to expand...

The edge finish and alloy content effects the aggressiveness of the steel, also the size of the carbides.

N690 is very aggressive with a coarse edge, one of the most aggressive cutters I have ever used.

ELMAX is extremely aggressive with a coarse edge, but also with a polished edge too.

S30V is aggressive with a coarse edge, but will still cut very well with a polished edge.

VG-10 and 154 CM are also good, ZDP works well also and can be very good with polished or non polished edges.
 
Ankerson;Both steels are extremely aggressive cutters, especially with coarse edges.

Sharpening S90V will take more time to get it extremely sharp due to the amount of hard carbides in the steel.

M390 will take a finer edge and it's easier to get there.



One of the masters on this forum has spoken!
 
I carried my BM 581 Barrage in M390 today and it continues to impress me. The edge profile from BM out the box is not so wonderful. All I am really able to do within my skillset is stroke it on the Sharpmaker and strop it on the back of an exam pad. I did that with this knife and it still cuts like a freaking laser. Its a great steel!

(I do have a Millie in S90V and that's a great steel too.... I honestly cant say which I prefer.)
 
Honestly, you'd have to go a few weeks without sharpening and heavy use before you notice s90v out-cutting m390. Which I accomplish by keeping my s90v para2 strictly on cardboard.
 
Ok so I'm pretty new to the high end knifes I just bought a benchmade 810 contego with the m390 blade and I also bought a kme precision knife sharping system. Well the system works great and I can get my blade super sharp I mean it will shave the hair off my arm better than my razor but the edge just doesn't seem to last as long as what everyone is saying about m309 am I doing something wrong? I hear peoe saying they go a month without sharping when I have to resharpen every day. What is going on?
 
lockman86 said:
Ok so I'm pretty new to the high end knifes I just bought a benchmade 810 contego with the m390 blade and I also bought a kme precision knife sharping system. Well the system works great and I can get my blade super sharp I mean it will shave the hair off my arm better than my razor but the edge just doesn't seem to last as long as what everyone is saying about m309 am I doing something wrong? I hear peoe saying they go a month without sharping when I have to resharpen every day. What is going on?
Click to expand...

And I also used a 750 grit diamond stone to a 1500 grit diamond stone to a Arkansas to a kangaroo leather strop had a pretty, almost mirror edge
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top