Simonich Raven versus Yarborough

W

W.T. Beck

Joined
Jul 9, 2001
Messages
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Two popular new combat/utility knives are the Chris Reeves Yarborough and the Simonich Raven. Both are said to be excellent knives. Given a choice between these two, which one would you choose, and why?
 
Yarborough. Why? 'Cause I already have one! :D Honestly, I don't think you could go wrong with either. I guess the fact that it's an issue knife is probably not a fluke. Chris Reeve, S30V, Kal-gard, great feel, customer service, and Blackhawk... Where could you go wrong with this combo? The pics don't do it justice. Holding it was owning it for me!
out,
Cris
 
That would be a close one to call. I've read all the reviews and they both look very good. S30V steel used in both, they're both the same thickness and width, they both come with the same sheath. It's another case of actually having to feel them both before you can really make a choice.
 
That's a tough one, and it might be hard to find someone that has seriously used both. I love the Chris Reeves, but it looks so much like my Simonich, that I haven't gotten around to buying one.

I'd say they would pratically stand neck-to-neck in real world applications. :D
 
Isn't the Raven heated to a higher RC value than the Yarborough? If so, what difference would this make in performance?
 
Given the choice of the two, I would take the Simonich. Rob is having his blades heat treated to 59-60 Rockwell by Paul Bos, and that's all I need to know.
 
Well, I own both, except the Simonich is in the Middle East right now(good for him, bad for me). I am planning on buying another Simonich for myself. Both knives perform very well during field work, not surprising since their thickness and length and about the same. Both knives feel very good in the hand, but I do have one small complaint with the Reeve. I think the Reeve slabs should be lengthened just a touch around the finger cut outs while chopping without a glove. If you wear a glove, no big deal. I have enjoyed using both, but I do want another Simonich to replace my other since I do not plan on asking for it back.

I do no think you would go wrong with either, both makers stand behind their product in the event something were to happen.
 
Originally posted by Danbo
Given the choice of the two, I would take the Simonich. Rob is having his blades heat treated to 59-60 Rockwell by Paul Bos, and that's all I need to know.
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Yeah, I'm with Danbo on this one. But that is because of my bias towards wanting a knife blade that is a good edge holder in lieu of wanting a knife that is easier to field sharpen.

I like numerous elements of both designs, some better than others on both knives... However, you might be able to make the choice based on your intended use and your own personal biases.

So ignoring aesthetics, and ergonomics, coatings, handle materials, sheaths, etc... for this discussion...

I've long wanted one of Reeve's one piece blades, but held off purchasing when I saw he runs A2 at Rc55-57. A2 is plenty tough at Rc60 (some data sets show it has a toughness peak right at Rc60 in fact) Reeve appears to be a plenty good heat treater in his own right... however, he seems to make blade hardness choices that err on the side of "ease of sharpening" and "toughness" for his one piece knives, and now the Yarborough also.

From Reeve's site on Yarborough:
Blade Material: Crucible Steel's CPM S30V stainless steel
Blade Hardness: 55-57 RC
Coating: KG Gun-Kote
Handle material: Black Canvas Micarta
Blade Length: 7"
Blade Thickness (full tang): 0.220"
Overall Length: 12 3/8"
Weight: 11.6 oz without sheath
Sheath: Airborne DeLuxe model by BlackHawk Industries, Inc.
Retail Price: $299.00
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And from Simonich's site:
Raven Combat Specifications:

Blade - 7" .200 thick S30-V
Overall - 12 5/8"
Hardness - Heat and Cryo treated by Paul Bos to RC 59-60
Finish - Non Reflective Matte Finish
Handles - Green/Black Camo G-10 with Gunner Grip (TM) texturing
Weight - 13 oz without sheath. With Sheath 18 1/2 oz
Sheath - Blackhawk Airborne Deluxe Jump Qualified OD Green or Black
Price for standard model $299
Price for Band Breaker model $325
Options SOE sheath $40
BC or DLC Diamond coating $50
Camo Finish with BC or DLC $100
Black G-10 Handles N/C
Simonich Knives LLC Guarantee

All Simonich Knives come with an Unconditional Lifetime Guarantee. Simonich Knives LLC reserves the right to repair, replace or refund the purchase price at out [sic] discretion.
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If you value ease of resharpening, and perhaps toughness (resistance to edge chipping given heavy impacts), you might choose the Reeve.

If you value edge holding, both abrasive and resistance to edge rolling, you might choose the Simonich.

This is not to say that the Simonich blade won't be a relatively tough blade for a stainless blade, just that typically, with many steels, toughness tends to be higher in the mid 50's than it is at Rc60. But that is only a generalization as all kinds of weird curves/humps exist out there in steel land (A2 for example).

I haven't seen a chart showing S30V's Charpy impact toughness tests vs. Rockwell hardness yet, so the above paragraph has a big assumption underlying, that S30V is tougher at Rc55-57 than at Rc59-60. You might want to validate that.

Both seem to offer a reasonable guarantee, but the proof is in the user community's experience in actually obtaining warranty service.

Here are a couple pertinent quotes from Reeve's page:
All the one piece knives are hardened to 55-57 RC and a random check is made to ensure accuracy. This hardness gives superb toughness, good edge retention and allows for efficient sharpening in the field.

A2 Tool Steel offers excellent edge retention and good shock resistance
Hardness at between 55 and 57 Rockwell C is not brittle but gives good edge retention along with ease of sharpening

All knives carry a lifetime guarantee and a damaged knife will be replaced or repaired at Chris' discretion. This guarantee does not cover damage to a knife that has been thrown or used for heavy levering.
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Here is a blurb/quote I harvested from an Ed Severson post:
Official toughness data is still being compiled but our research data shows that at 60 HRC S30V is tougher than D2, BG-42, 154CM, S60V, and S90V. It is not in the same ball park as CPM 3V, but will give A2 a run for its money.
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Wow, tough competition.

I've ALWAYS had a big thing for the Raven, but the new Yarborough is sweet too. I do think, however, in the end I'd probably get the Raven... first :D

Why? I prefer G10 to Micarta and the Raven seems a little more suited to my ergonomic preferences (though bear in mind I've not had the priviledge of handling either, so this is based scrictly on looks). Also I'm not a fan of serrations, even though the ones on the Yarborough don't really bother me (as they take up little edge real-estate).
Final clincher for me is the Yarborough comes coated regardless, whereas the Raven is available in naked S30V (not sure if it's polished or what), I don't much care for coatings except on carbon steel knives, but again, the Yarborough's coating is not a big deal with me.

Basically where the Raven might score a 95% on my scale, the Yarborough is no more than 2% behind, they are both truly fantastic, top the line, no-question-this-is-as-good-as-it-gets combat knives. Either one, you simply can't lose.
 
Grip material preference may help you make your choice. The Yarborough felt a little chunky in my hand, the Simonich felt better and I also love the Gunner Grip design (this was purely personal preference YMMV). If you have a chance to handle them your hand may prefer one over the other.
 
Gotta pipe in here as I have used a Simonich Raven for over a year now and hard.First off I would say that they both are about the same knife basically in design and steel.I have carried the Raven in the Amazon jungles all the way to the mountains of the eastern US and it has been an excellent companion to say the least.I have fileted fish,chopped,whittled,and even dug with it and have been impressed with its edge holding ability.It also has been pretty easy to resharpen.Corrosion resistance is pretty good although it did gain a few spots after a few swims down south.I like the G-10,I like the integral gaurd which gives a feeling of confidence when using the blade hard,I like the handle which is very comfortable for all types of grips,I like the holes in the handle for lashing(which I would probably never do),I even like the finish.The tip is also very sharp and pointy making for good fish belly insertion,the edge grind is high for great cutting efficiency,I guess you can tell I like the blade huh?Only ONE PROB with the Yarborough and thats those damn serrations on the best part of the blade where I do my whittling.I dont get serrations,if the blade is sharp it should always cut good without serrations.I would say both are winners I just like my Raven,(oh by the way I do not have a Yarborough so my experience is minimal with that part blade)
 
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