Strider S35VN?

R

rapdog

Joined
May 7, 2012
Messages
100
Hey everyone,
I am considering getting my first Strider ( an SMF ) and was really excited until i noticed that i could only find SMF's with heat flamed TI in S35VN. Ive heard some very mixed reviews about S35VN and was wondering if anyone had any input with the way Strider does theirs. i know that a lot of people dislike the steel because of how soft it is, however from what I have heard Strider runs theirs a little harder than most companies. I haven't been able to find much in terms of how Striders S35VN compares to other companies so if anyone has any personal experience with Striders S35VN id love to hear it.
 
Ive had an SmF & an SJ75 in s35vn and they were both great. I also have two CRKs with the steel and I have zero complaints. All things considered, it is almost definitely my fav steel.
 
Grades of steel all come down to usage.

I have many S35VN Blades, including my small CRK Sebenza 21 and its perfect.

Yea it may be a little softer than other steels but as long as your not beating the absolute crap out of the blade you should be perfectly fine.

I haven't seen too many forums members that dislike S35VN, some may like S30V better but that's about it.

It has good edge retention, corrosion resistance and overall performance.

I would personally try and look for a CPM154 SMF, but its all personal choice.

I mean I'd love to see a Strider in S90V or N690, but wishes are wishes lol.

If you like the knife your looking to get and its at a good price, I say go for it.

Just my .02
 
I think most production knife makers HT their S35VN to a lower HRC, like 58-59. But when you get into the 60-61 HRC like Strider and Hinderer, you have a steel that is OUTSTANDING. S35VN will do everything S30V will do, it'll just have more toughness doing it. I mentioned Benchmade, I'm not sure if they have even used S35VN, but they run their steel a little softer in general. I am dumbfounded by why CRK runs his steels in the 57-58 range. I assume it is for ease of sharpening, what else. A knife guy and maker like Chris should realize that if someone is going to buy a high dollar knife like his, they will be able to sharpen it at proper HT.
 
eodtoad said:
I think most production knife makers HT their S35VN to a lower HRC, like 58-59. But when you get into the 60-61 HRC like Strider and Hinderer, you have a steel that is OUTSTANDING. S35VN will do everything S30V will do, it'll just have more toughness doing it. I mentioned Benchmade, I'm not sure if they have even used S35VN, but they run their steel a little softer in general. I am dumbfounded by why CRK runs his steels in the 57-58 range. I assume it is for ease of sharpening, what else. A knife guy and maker like Chris should realize that if someone is going to buy a high dollar knife like his, they will be able to sharpen it at proper HT.
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This. I am sure Strider does a good S35VN. I have not been happy with S35VN on my CRK Star-tac, though. It takes a very nice edge and a very high polish, but it performs like Spyderco's 8CR. It rolls pretty badly from even minor impacts (like chopping weeds). That being said, I would happily use S35Vn from another source, as long as the HT is good.
 
The problems with S35VN that you heard about were very isolated and for one reason or another went viral. If there was a genuine problem with the steel, you would be reading about across the board, consistent accounts of different problems from the one or 2 bad reviews on youtube. I cannot speak to the veracity of such claims, as it did not happen to me personally. I currently own a few different knives in S35VN (ZT 0550, Spyderco Para2, Spyderco Naqtive 5, and a couple CRKs). None of them have demonstrated edge instability, chipping, rolling, or any other "defect". All I can say is that before you take a youtube video or article as the bottom line of truth, always consider the source.
 
RevDevil said:
The problems with S35VN that you heard about were very isolated and for one reason or another went viral. If there was a genuine problem with the steel, you would be reading about across the board, consistent accounts of different problems from the one or 2 bad reviews on youtube. I cannot speak to the veracity of such claims, as it did not happen to me personally. I currently own a few different knives in S35VN (ZT 0550, Spyderco Para2, Spyderco Naqtive 5, and a couple CRKs). None of them have demonstrated edge instability, chipping, rolling, or any other "defect". All I can say is that before you take a youtube video or article as the bottom line of truth, always consider the source.
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This ^ +1

eodtoad said:
I think most production knife makers HT their S35VN to a lower HRC, like 58-59. But when you get into the 60-61 HRC like Strider and Hinderer, you have a steel that is OUTSTANDING. S35VN will do everything S30V will do, it'll just have more toughness doing it. I mentioned Benchmade, I'm not sure if they have even used S35VN, but they run their steel a little softer in general. I am dumbfounded by why CRK runs his steels in the 57-58 range. I assume it is for ease of sharpening, what else. A knife guy and maker like Chris should realize that if someone is going to buy a high dollar knife like his, they will be able to sharpen it at proper HT.
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It's probably best you stick with facts and not generalize with what you think to be true with regard to HT's and Rc hardnesses with specific manufacturers. It brings on thoughts that are not necessarily true. Manufacturers that utilize exotic steels in many cases tweak their approach with the HT as they continue to monitor a given steel. What they do with a steel today, especially a new steel, could be quite different than how they process it tomorrow. Just some insight.

As to being dumbfounded about Chris and their S35VN approach, well all I have to say is Chris is a pretty smart guy and leader in many areas of this industry, and if he's ok with 57-58 Rc, there must be a good reason or two. :)
 
Kai Corp. said:
This ^ +1

It's probably best you stick with facts and not generalize with what you think to be true with regard to HT's and Rc hardnesses with specific manufacturers. It brings on thoughts that are not necessarily true. Manufacturers that utilize exotic steels in many cases tweak their approach with the HT as they continue to monitor a given steel. What they do with a steel today, especially a new steel, could be quite different than how they process it tomorrow. Just some insight.

As to being dumbfounded about Chris and their S35VN approach, well all I have to say is Chris is a pretty smart guy and leader in many areas of this industry, and if he's ok with 57-58 Rc, there must be a good reason or two. :)
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If other companies (Microtech, Strider, etc) are running their steel harder and have no documented cases of failure, why is CRK still smart for running their steel softer. I also think it is interesting that a representative of a company that is known for running exotic steels softer than normal (S110V) is trying to end any sort of debate over a steel that has experienced issues due to softer than normal hardness.
 
Bugout Bill said:
If other companies (Microtech, Strider, etc) are running their steel harder and have no documented cases of failure, why is CRK still smart for running their steel softer.
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Well I guess you could call up and ask. Pretty smart and nice folks over there at CRK's.

I also think it is interesting that a representative of a company that is known for running exotic steels softer than normal (S110V) is trying to end any sort of debate over a steel that has experienced issues due to softer than normal hardness.
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Softer than normal, now that's an "interesting" quote. Tell me more about normal please?

Well we were kinda in the middle of the S35VN thingy when it first came out. That's why I responded. Hope that's ok?

You can find the links below.

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/903512-0550-Here-we-go!?highlight=s35VN

and the results

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...550-S35VN-Edge-Retention-Test?highlight=s35VN





We
 
Kai Corp. said:
Well I guess you could call up and ask. Pretty smart and nice folks over there at CRK's.

Softer than normal, now that's an "interesting" quote. Tell me more about normal please?

Well we were kinda in the middle of the S35VN thingy when it first came out. That's why I responded. Hope that's ok?

You can find the links below.

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/903512-0550-Here-we-go!?highlight=s35VN

and the results

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...550-S35VN-Edge-Retention-Test?highlight=s35VN





We
Click to expand...

I might just give CRK a call and ask them if it is normal for their knives to come with overbuffed edges.

Here is the thread about S110V : http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/1071563-S110V-at-59-Rc

As for KAI's S35VN, I'm keeping an open mind. Might have to give it a try. I have been pretty happy with your 154CM so far.
 
Bugout Bill said:
Here is the thread about S110V : http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/1071563-S110V-at-59-Rc
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Ah yes I remember that one distinctly.

Unlike many that have just "heard" or "spec" and base an opinion, there are some users of that specific 110V CB blade. Sounds pretty solid yea? Oh those real world experiences.

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...o-review-(2-weeks-in)?p=12457156#post12457156

Probably have a user S35VN around here if you want to put it through the paces. Let me know.
 
I have a SMF in S35VN and have no complaints at all. Strider does a great HT he learned form the best when Paul Boss did all the HT for Strider. I have as some very small chipping but nothing major and I use my SMF as it was interned to be. on that note I do not run a fine angle on my edge I keep my SMF at 43 degrees inclusive I think some people run their edges to fine.
 
Kai Corp. said:
Ah yes I remember that one distinctly.

Unlike many that have just "heard" or "spec" and base an opinion, there are some users of that specific 110V CB blade. Sounds pretty solid yea? Oh those real world experiences.

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...o-review-(2-weeks-in)?p=12457156#post12457156

Probably have a user S35VN around here if you want to put it through the paces. Let me know.
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I have heard some pretty good things about the S110V ZT560s, particularly after the blade has been resharpened a few times. It really is a beautiful knife by the way. As for the offer to loan out an S35VN knife, it is a very gracious one. I don't think I could give a decent evaluation of it as I have to go back to school in about a week. I put most of the wear on my knives at work, but college life really doesn't throw that many serious cutting tasks in my way. Thanks though. Kai does make nice stuff. I have a Kershaw RJI and Chill on the way, looking forward to handling those.
 
I think CRKs are beautifully designed, engineered, and I would absolutely buy one if he didn't run such soft steel. However, in a non-combat/EDC folder, I value edge retention above all. I'm not going by anything I've seen on youtube or jumping on some bandwagon. It is obvious that if you heat treat s35vn to 57-58, it is going to dull a lot faster than a good 60-61. The edge retention gap between 57 and 61 is not a gap, it's an exponential gulf.
 
eodtoad said:
I think CRKs are beautifully designed, engineered, and I would absolutely buy one if he didn't run such soft steel. However, in a non-combat/EDC folder, I value edge retention above all. I'm not going by anything I've seen on youtube or jumping on some bandwagon. It is obvious that if you heat treat s35vn to 57-58, it is going to dull a lot faster than a good 60-61. The edge retention gap between 57 and 61 is not a gap, it's an exponential gulf.
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I have adored all my Sebenzas but will say that both the S30V & S35VN did not fare well cutting zip ties at work. They dulled way too fast. Yes you can say that I should have pulled out my Klein scissors but sometimes the knife in pocket has to be used. I second the motion to run that steel up a bit.
 
CRK advertises 58-59rc, not 57-58.
Strider advertises 59-60rc, not 60-61.

At least take a few seconds to look this information up... :(
 
Although I mentioned Strider, I was going by Hinderer's HT which is 60-61. I did read someone rank Strider's S35VN above Hinderer's on here once. I guess that is why I thought it was at least the same as Hinderer. If I was in error about CRK HT, I apologize, but there is still a possible three point spread. I still believe a high dollar perfectionist knife should HT for optimum edge retention, for a small EDC. This is just my opinion anyway. Sebenzas are really beautifully crafted knives.
 
eodtoad said:
Although I mentioned Strider, I was going by Hinderer's HT which is 60-61. I did read someone rank Strider's S35VN above Hinderer's on here once. I guess that is why I thought it was at least the same as Hinderer. If I was in error about CRK HT, I apologize, but there is still a possible three point spread. I still believe a high dollar perfectionist knife should HT for optimum edge retention, for a small EDC. This is just my opinion anyway. Sebenzas are really beautifully crafted knives.
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I think it is sort of jumping to conclusions about Strider's S35VN being better than Hinderer. Other factors (like edge geometry) need to be taken into account.
 
I agree, it didn't seem to ring true when I read it. I just like S35VN better because it seems to have more toughness than S30V at an equivalent edge retention level. I don't know the specific HT each would have to undergo to achieve equal edge retention, but I'm guessing S35VN would have to be Rockwelled a little higher. I'm no expert, I just try to read and learn as much as I can. I know there are some very smart people concerning metallurgy here and I welcome any input on this opinion.
 
I trust the manufacturer to apply the proper heat treat to the knives they are making, and will only complain if and when a problem should arise, not just because a youtube superstar told me my blade was too soft :)
 
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