Steel characteristic?

Dallas T

Dallas T

Joined
Apr 6, 2013
Messages
1,504
Hey fellow forumites. Just bought some ti scales to go on the para 3 that I haven’t even ordered yet. Lol. Question is, im trying to decide between s30 or m390? Im most interested in the toughness of the steel. Any opinions? Not that concerned about edge retention and such, however i do like a good tough steel. Never really experienced m390 so can’t decide? Thanks in advance
Dallas
 
M390 will have an edge in toughness over S30V.

Or you could just wait for an M4 Para3 to show up at BladeHQ, they've gotta be coming soon. Toughness is it's claim to fame.
 
If you want toughness get a sprint run in M4, cruewear, lc200n, 52100 etc. Some are not stainless though. But a Lil food safe oil on the blade goes along way.

S30v and m390 are not particularly tough at 60+hrc

Elmax has good toughness for a stainless pm steel too.

S35vn has niobium in it which helps make it a bit tougher than s30v. M390 is a very high edge retention steel and generally don't see chipping from it like you would see more from s30v but I've never had chipping on s30v.

Anyways I seen a guy's zt in m390 shatter on ice cause he thought it was tough and they heat treat them to 62hrc. Most of the toughness is gone at that point. Some brands vary hardness from 58 to 62 so results will vary.
 
Last edited:
Ah! I thought it was the other way around with s30 being tougher, but just didn’t hold edge as long as m390. As far as m4 goes im afraid I’d rust the hell out of it.
 
Dallas T said:
Ah! I thought it was the other way around with s30 being tougher, but just didn’t hold edge as long as m390. As far as m4 goes im afraid I’d rust the hell out of it.
Click to expand...

Another option would be to wait for the S35VN Para2 Sprint that's coming out this year (soon, I think?). S35 would still be stainless but would definitely have an edge of toughness over S30 and M390.
 
Well its for the para 3 cause i bought ti scales for one without even owning the knife yet! Lol
 
halden.doerge said:
M390 will have an edge in toughness over S30V.
Click to expand...
Yes I have had zero issues with M390 . . . GOOD STUFF !
That said I have been using a Para 2 for weeks now and this is my first significant run with S30V . I have a safe queen with S30V but have only used it very little and very carefully. My EDC is holding up well; dulling some, that is to be expected, but I've done a ton of pierce cuts in dirty rubberized cloth and the tip is still plenty sharp and just perfect.

For keeping a high lever of sharpness (polished) my experience is M390 for the win over S30V.
 
For more nitty gritty on steel just Google steel name datasheet.

Here's some...
http://www.bucorp.com/media/Bohler_M390_Microclean.pdf

http://www.crucible.com/PDFs/DataSheets2010/dsS30Vv1 2010.pdf

http://www.crucible.com/PDFs/DataSheets2010/dsS35VNrev12010.pdf

http://www.crucible.com/PDFs/DataSheets2010/dsCPM CruWear2015.pdf

http://www.crucible.com/PDFs/DataSheets2010/ds3Vv1 2015.pdf

http://www.crucible.com/PDFs/DataSheets2010/Data Sheet 4V.pdf

http://www.crucible.com/PDFs/DataSheets2010/Datasheet CPM 154 CMv12010.pdf

If you want any particular one that you can't find let us know. Someone will try and find it for ya.

Each one should detail toughness, stainlessness, edge retention etc. Tho it varies depending on the heat treatment.
 
I've been using my M390 Link to cut cardboard, rags, etc.
Zero issues here and still razor sharp. I also use AUS-8 pretty regular in a smaller Recon 1..its ok.
What I do want to try is CTS-XHP. Might pick up a Recon 1 at the parking lot sale..if they have it.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top