Strength 3V

[Marc Engels]

Hi guys, I was wondering how strong is 3V actually? I am asking this because I have a folder in 3V that I sharpened. If I give it a little tap on iron for example I can feel a little nick with my fingernail. Just a little tap. Is that normal for 3V? Sharpened at 20 degrees per side. I would like to hear from you guys.

 

[IaccidentlyCutmyThumb]

I don't have any experience with 3V, but what I will tell you, is that with 1075, which is also very tough, I once accidentally hit the edge with a file. I was trying to round out a ricasso. It ripped out a huge chunk from the blade, and it was an enormous pain in the ass to smooth out. Metal dicks up other metal real good. Maybe someone with more experience with 3V can chime in about particulars, but I wouldn't worry. Impact and metal is screwy. Look at how the iron looks after impact.

 

[Chris_Texas]

To help answer your question...

I took a Cold Steel Master Hunter in 3V and whacked the edge five times into the spine of a Cold Steel Drop Forged Hunter in 52100. The result is five very small (but visible if you look) chips in the otherwise perfect edge of the 3V blade. I then reversed the experiment, whacking the edge of the 52100 into the spine of the 3V. The result was identical, the 52100 was chipped. Neither knife had the slightest damage to the spine where it was struck.

Hope this helps.

 

[Bigfattyt]

To help answer your question...

I took a Cold Steel Master Hunter in 3V and whacked the edge five times into the spine of a Cold Steel Drop Forged Hunter in 52100. The result is five very small (but visible if you look) chips in the otherwise perfect edge of the 3V blade. I then reversed the experiment, whacking the edge of the 52100 into the spine of the 3V. The result was identical, the 52100 was chipped. Neither knife had the slightest damage to the spine where it was struck.

Hope this helps.

Why?

High hardness thin edge is going to be damaged by high hardness thick spine...



@OP...

Yes....10° per side edge will deform if you strike it against iron.....



CPM3v is extremely tough.
It is not the all out toughest steel (spring steels and impact steels like S7 etc are tougher).

But CPM3v is close, and, has better edge retention and stain resistsnce....


Here is a link to one of our best sources for actual data about steels.

He covers all kinds of steels. Anytime I have a question about a new (to me) steel, I check to see if Larrin has covered it yet.

https://knifesteelnerds.com/2019/05/20/how-to-pick-the-best-steel-for-every-knife/

 

[Chris_Texas]

Why?

High hardness thin edge is going to be damaged by high hardness thick spine...

@OP...

Yes....10° per side edge will deform if you strike it against iron.....



CPM3v is extremely tough.
It is not the all out toughest steel (spring steels and impact steels like S7 etc are tougher).

But CPM3v is close, and, has better edge retention and stain resistsnce....


Here isna link to one of our best sources for actual data about steels.

He covers all kinds of steels. Anytime I have a question about a new (to me) steel, I vheck to see if Larrin has covered it yet.

https://knifesteelnerds.com/2019/05/20/how-to-pick-the-best-steel-for-every-knife/

Indeed. My goal was to perform a real world test and confirm my beliefs. 3V is great steel, perhaps the best knife steel there is, but even great steel can be damaged. Great link by the way.