Spyderco and heat-treat consistency

Sonnydaze

Sonnydaze

Joined
Jul 6, 2009
Messages
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Having read many threads regarding special steels and heat-treating methods, I noted that there has been significant speculation concerning Spyderco's HT standards using S110V. The primary thread, I believe, is Ankerson's recent review of the S110V Military...where he gave the steel an outstanding review. This seems to have aroused great hope in the fans that similar magnificent results, in edge-holding, are to be expected in other Spyderco models using the same steel...

I sent an inquiry to Spyderco concerning their HT consistency within the various models built around a particular steel. I asked, more specifically, whether all of the S110V models...(Millie, PM2, various Manix varieties) would have the same heat-treat standard.

Here is the response which I received in short order...
"Sir,

Thank you for contacting us with your question.

Our heat treating processes are based on the Steel being used, rather than the model of knife. As a result all of the S110V steel used in our knives will be heat treated to the same standard.

Please feel free to contact us with any additional questions.

Kindest Regards,
emaillogo.png--
Joshua Davis
Spyderco Factory Outlet | Spyderco, Inc.
 
That's good information to know. Thanks for taking the initiative to find out for the community.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk
 
I may get flamed for saying this but it is my opinion that the issue here is user error. I think this problem is usually sharpening related. Spyderco has always had a great reputation regarding their heat treatment. I think if people are just persistent until they can sharpen S110V just as easily as any other steel and get it just as sharp as any other steel with a good clean apex with no bur or stressed steel that they will find that it does in fact hold an edge longer than most other steels. It will even maintain that very high level of sharpness longer that so many say it won't hold as long as other steels. Will it stay sharp ten times longer than S30V? Heck no. Based on my experience my guess is maybe twice as long or even a little longer depending on what you are cutting.
 
I do believe that Spyderco has changed (improved) their heat treat on s110v since the initial Manix was released.
 
I believe it's consistent among all models at any given time. But, they may be improving protocol over time.
 
Sonnydaze said:
Having read many threads regarding special steels and heat-treating methods, I noted that there has been significant speculation concerning Spyderco's HT standards using S110V. The primary thread, I believe, is Ankerson's recent review of the S110V Military...where he gave the steel an outstanding review. This seems to have aroused great hope in the fans that similar magnificent results, in edge-holding, are to be expected in other Spyderco models using the same steel...

I sent an inquiry to Spyderco concerning their HT consistency within the various models built around a particular steel. I asked, more specifically, whether all of the S110V models...(Millie, PM2, various Manix varieties) would have the same heat-treat standard.

Here is the response which I received in short order...
"Sir,

Thank you for contacting us with your question.

Our heat treating processes are based on the Steel being used, rather than the model of knife. As a result all of the S110V steel used in our knives will be heat treated to the same standard.

Please feel free to contact us with any additional questions.

Kindest Regards,
emaillogo.png--
Joshua Davis
Spyderco Factory Outlet | Spyderco, Inc.
Click to expand...


That is the information that I got yesterday. :thumbup:
 
Surfingringo said:
I do believe that Spyderco has changed (improved) their heat treat on s110v since the initial Manix was released.
Click to expand...

Yes, that is correct.

The Manix 2 LW I tested 2 years ago was 62.

The Military is 63-64 so I would expect the sister models to be the same so performance should be comparable.
 
bearfacedkiller said:
I may get flamed for saying this but it is my opinion that the issue here is user error. I think this problem is usually sharpening related. Spyderco has always had a great reputation regarding their heat treatment. I think if people are just persistent until they can sharpen S110V just as easily as any other steel and get it just as sharp as any other steel with a good clean apex with no bur or stressed steel that they will find that it does in fact hold an edge longer than most other steels. It will even maintain that very high level of sharpness longer that so many say it won't hold as long as other steels. Will it stay sharp ten times longer than S30V? Heck no. Based on my experience my guess is maybe twice as long or even a little longer depending on what you are cutting.
Click to expand...


I agree. :)

S110V isn't the same as the other steels, it does take some care in sharpening just like the other steels do though.

Bur free clean apex is important.
 
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bearfacedkiller said:
I may get flamed for saying this but it is my opinion that the issue here is user error. I think this problem is usually sharpening related. Spyderco has always had a great reputation regarding their heat treatment. I think if people are just persistent until they can sharpen S110V just as easily as any other steel and get it just as sharp as any other steel with a good clean apex with no bur or stressed steel that they will find that it does in fact hold an edge longer than most other steels. It will even maintain that very high level of sharpness longer that so many say it won't hold as long as other steels. Will it stay sharp ten times longer than S30V? Heck no. Based on my experience my guess is maybe twice as long or even a little longer depending on what you are cutting.
Click to expand...
In some cases, yes. In the testing that Mr. Ankerson does...sharpening is not a factor :)
 
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Great information. Thanks for passing that on.

Sent from my D6503 using Tapatalk
 
Ankerson said:
Yes, that is correct.

The Manix 2 LW I tested 2 years ago was 62.

The Military is 63-64 so I would expect the sister models to be the same so performance should be comparable.
Click to expand...

This makes sense, especially when considering Spyderco's email response.
I'm close to purchasing a Manix 2 in S110V.

My question is, "How do I know if I'm getting a newer 63-64 version, or an older 62 version?"

I would think that there's a lot of older stick still being sold. Even Spyderco's website foes not list the hardness.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk
 
I have an older s110v manix and a new s110v PM2 and the ability to test for hardness

Might have to try and check mine

I remember when I tested my ZDP dragonfly it was 64
 
MAD777 said:
This makes sense, especially when considering Spyderco's email response.
I'm close to purchasing a Manix 2 in S110V.

My question is, "How do I know if I'm getting a newer 63-64 version, or an older 62 version?"

I would think that there's a lot of older stick still being sold. Even Spyderco's website foes not list the hardness.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk
Click to expand...


I doubt that, they have been selling out fast since they started using S110V. ;)
 
Maybe the older version of Manix2 with the 62 steel would be less prone to chip than the 63-64 steel blades.
 
I don't think most guys are going to be able to tell the difference between the older and newer versions of 110. Most of us don't

use our knives hard enough.

I have an older version Manix 2 110 LW that chipped when I was cutting some smaller branches. I didn't know it was chipped until I moved

my thumb nail down the edge. I got the chip after a few minutes on my SM.

I was really surprised that the edge chipped so easily.
 
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Who does Spyderco buy their steel sheets from? Who does Spyderco's heat treatment, do they have a facility for this? Who cuts out the blade shapes from the steel sheets?
 
clockman said:
I don't think most guys are going to be able to tell the difference between the older and newer versions of 110. Most of us don't

use our hard enough.

I have an older version Manix 2 110 LW that chipped when I was cutting some smaller branches. I didn't know it was chipped until I moved

my thumb nail down the edge. I got the chip after a few minutes on my SM.

I was really surprised that the edge chipped so easily.
Click to expand...

Performance has been excellent across the board from what I have personally seen, the only reason that any difference has shown up is due to my controlled testing and knowing what the hardness numbers are in the different knives tested.

I tend to push the blades far beyond what most ever would in any sort of what people would call normal use.

So I say just use and enjoy. :thumbup:
 
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Well this is interesting for certain. I just ponied up and bought a PM2 in S110V. I kind of wanted the Military but it is beyond what I want to spend in price and I do not currently have a PM2 any longer. I have high hopes for the steel and the knife.
 
Hmmm... I haven't put my S110V Para2 through it's paces but I guess it may be the harder run and my 2013 Forum Native and S110V Mule are the softer run. I have so far been impressed with my Mule and Native. I guess I need to see what my S110V Para2 has to offer.
 
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