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Spyderco: S30V or VG-10?

S30V or VG-10?

  • S30V

    Votes: 1 100.0%

  • VG-10

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • Total voters
    1
RamZar said:
As far as I know, all regular production Para-Military folders have only been in S30V.

There were some sprint runs in: CPM-D2, CPM-S90V, CTS-20CP, M390, CPM-S35VN, CTS-XHP and CTS-204P.
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What are some of the best Spyderco models that use VG-10 and don't use pins but screws on the scales?
 
sunandsteel said:
What are some of the best Spyderco models that use VG-10 and don't use pins but screws on the scales?
Click to expand...

I don't know them all but Starmate and SuperLeaf do.

SuperLeaf is a good one to get now because it has been discontinued but readily available. It's about the same size as the Para-Military 2 (but an ounce heavier) and even has the same Compression Lock.
 
I don't have any love for S30V because it loses its razor edge very quickly (although it keeps a "working edge" for a long time). I find that it also tends to be a bit chippy, which makes sharpening it more tedious. VG-10 on the other hand sharpens easily to a screaming edge - it just doesn't hold it as long. But the thing I like about VG-10 is that its edge deforms rather than chips, which makes it a lot easier to re-sharpen.

YMMV.

TedP
 
I got a Centofante Three last week. I've had PM2 s30V before too. I'm someone who loves to get their knives to the sharpest level achievable, and for me the VG10 in the centofante is just better for that. Plus, it seems to be holding an edge very well... Cuts through bone with no damage and it's still razor sharp after. Holds a great edge whittling and cutting through soft materials, too. In fact, I like it so much it's all I've been carrying!
 
I like VG-10, for me S30V needs a near custom HT and being off even just a little bit causes extreme variation in performance and sharpening. I also have not found any practical advantage in its edge retention.

For me, VG-10 is easier to sharpen, holds a sharper edge better, and takes edge damage better while being easier to restore sharpness. In similar cutting tasks I find VG-10 to hold its beginning sharpness longer and both reach a similar level of drag from edge loss after equal amounts of cutting. S30V will continue to saw through things with its longer lasting working edge but for me I long consider a knife dull once it reaches that point.
 
sunandsteel said:
I was looking at the Stretch and I like what I see but I like knives to be made in the US.
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You're not going to find what you're looking for, then. Unless lightning strikes and you track down one of a very few (Less than 25 made, IIRC) Chinooks made with VG-10.
 
sunandsteel said:
I was looking at the Stretch and I like what I see but I like knives to be made in the US.
Click to expand...

I know what you mean. The funny thing is that the Japanese and Taiwanese Spydercos are better made than the ones from Golden.
 
David Lowry said:
S30V all day.

I don't have to sharpen it as often. To me it is tons better.
Click to expand...

It's those big honking carbides, and Spyderco gets the HT right. :thumbup: As long as you don't try to put a mirror edge on it (in my experience).
 
I voted VG-10. My VG-10 knives currently: Jester, CoPilot, Centofante4, Captain, Pink Lum Chinese, Lava, and Massad Ayoob. My S30V list is just a Yojimbo2. Now, I love the Yo2, but I'm waiting for the S90V to come out :D. I just prefer VG-10, I can get it much sharper than S30V consistently.
 
My experience seems to differ from most of the other posters. I have better luck with Spydercos s30 than the vg10. I find the s30 easier to sharpen - I can get it sharper quicker than vg10. I have not had/experienced microchipping with s30. I have experienced rolling with vg10 and have found that s30 holds an edge much longer than vg10. I do wish that more of spydercos models came in s30 because of my history with both steels. I REALLY like Spydercos zpd189 and m4 and am losing my love of super blue because of how quickly it loses its edge - it does get sharp, tho!
 
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S30V is my favorite steel. I've been using it for years and I understand it very well.

I also have much experience with 154CM and D2. Both of which I like very much. But S30V takes the cake IMO.

I have only used VG-10 a few times. It seems similar to 154CM but doesn't hold and edge as well.
 
vg-10 for me here. Just love how easy it is to keep sharp compared to my manix 2 in s30v, plus I don't see that great a difference in edge retention for how much longer it takes to keep s30v comparably sharp.
 
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