true i may not notice, I just want the best steel for my money. I watched gideonstactical review and he seems to like S7, are those that are against it tried it?
Here is my video of the SK-4 in S7 shock steel:
[video=youtube;hj_1lrnQIkA]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hj_1lrnQIkA[/video]
Here is the GSO-4.1 in M390 steel:
[video=youtube;pVsKMAlYAcU]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pVsKMAlYAcU[/video]
Obviously these videos are not identical, but something I hope they show is that,
at this geometry (~0.028", 15-20 dps) it would take some SERIOUS abuse to note a difference between S7 and even M390 except perhaps at the very edge if pounding against cement/bricks/etc. However, the M390 (like the 3V) was HT's slightly harder than the S7 so will hold that edge longer in other non-abrasive cutting tasks. In abrasive cutting tasks, it will hold its edge MUCH longer. If you thinned the geometry down to 0.015" 15-dps, or 0.010" 10-dps with a 15-20 microbevel, the wear-resistance of the high-V steel will be even higher than the S7, but then you may start to notice a difference in how blunting occurs in various uses. The slightly softer but much tougher S7
wears away in abrasive cutting and starts to fold in non-abrasive. Keeping a simple steel handy, one could fold the edge back into alignment quickly/easily, or for a worn-edge one can grind a new microbevel fairly quickly on most hones. With the High-V steel, you can still steel a folded edge back into alignment, but the lower toughness means it'll crack away after fewer re-alignments and require establishment of a new bevel, and honing demands good SiC or diamond equipment. Temper that with the harder high-V steel not folding as easily to begin with, keeping that sharp edge longer.
My point - with the proper equipment and technique, even M390 takes no longer to sharpen than S7, but it stays sharper (low apex diameter) longer. BUT if you lack that equipment or technique, S7 will be easier to work with and will also present you more opportunity to practice
S7 is more than capable as a knife steel, esp. compared to something like 1095 left softer than 60Rc, unless you do a lot of abrasive cutting. These knives are for hard outdoor-use, they are not rope & box cutters, not razor-blades. If you think a Mora or Becker or ESEE can get the job done, the steel in this knife can do it 'better'. But if you want a corrosion-resistant stone-washed satin blade or do a lot of abrasive cutting, CPM-3V or -20CV might be worth it to you. Those models are made lighter w/ better balance and customizable sheath & scales - you are paying for that as well as the upgraded steel. Personally, i don't do that much abrasive cutting, like the ease of just steeling my edge to keep it sharp, the cerakote blade is sufficiently pretty for me, and I don't feel as bad about modifying the handle to improve ergonomics on a cheaper knife, so I'll take the S7. That said, i know it isn't the "best steel for the money" and with GSO-4.1 'factory seconds' selling almost as cheap... *shrug*
