That 3V Steel

H

hollowdweller

Joined
Sep 22, 2003
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Been taking my Bushcraft out all week when I go to do chores and cutting up stuff with it.

Frozen wood, dirty wood, batoning chunks out across the grain. No chipping no rolling of the edge.

I'm totally impressed with the durability of the steel compared to the other scandi knives I have in 01 and D2

Maybe I just haven't put it in the right situation like my others yet because I haven't had it as long, but so far the 3V seems to be super compatible with this style of grind:thumbup: Good choice there Dan.:thumbup:
 
I am a big fan of 3V. I like it a lot. I have not tried Dan's 3V yet, but I have a 3V bushcraft on order. I cannot wait for it to get here.
 
Any junior (or senior) metallurgists want to give me a lesson on 3V? I checked out the A.G. Russell steel chart, and it seems like it's got rather low carbon, substantially more chromium than most non-stainless steels, and lots of vanadium and molybdenum, but less than the CPM-S**V steels. Oddly enough, it looks like you cut the CPM-S30V percentages in half (not quite, but close), and get this amazing carbon steel.

Anybody know what sort of elemental magic is going on here? How does the edge retention/toughness/sharpness characteristics balance play out? Compared to S30V?

Yeah, I need something to ponder while I wait for my bushcraft. I was going to be lazy and just ask you to feed me info, but I decided not to be such a slacker and read the CPM info on 3V. It's curious that they say 3V has more wear resistance but better grindability than D2.
 
Tohatchi NM - the numbers on AGR's site only tell part of the story.

Look at crucible's own spec sheet here:

http://www.crucibleservice.com/datash/ds3Vv5b.pdf?CFID=1709308&CFTOKEN=62010109

..particularly the chart near the bottom of the first page.


3V is significantly tougher than A2 (which is pretty tough already)
The wear-resistance is comparable to M2, and not as high as M4 (but higher than D2).


What D2 has, is a large carbide grain that allows it to keep a toothy edge longer.


"Edge holding" is a mixed bag of characteristics....quite a few factors in play.

D2 gets its edge-holding from super hard & large carbides
3V gets its edge-holding from the high vanadium content


What makes 3V a super steel is that it is tougher than anything else except S7...AND...it has better wear resistance than any of the others, except M4.

Usually there's a trade off...no trade offs with 3V. Just price. *shrug*
 
Thanks for the insights Dan - I did find the CPM spec sheet and was curious how the bar graph translated into real life. I also wondered if they compared with CPM D2 or some other type of D2. Presumably the particle metallurgy process is done with high carbon, low chromium steels more for grain structure than for bumping up the carbon content without excess carbide formation?
 
All I know is so far no chipping or wavering and that's unusual for a scandi being used fairly hard:thumbup:
 
I got mine a few days ago and have not used it much yet. But it is a great design and very well made.

It WILL NOT be my last Koster knife :cool: :thumbup:
 
mymindisamob said:
I'm psyched, but still waiting on my .25" 3V Nessie.
Click to expand...

I'm with ya, I'm waiting on the same knife. It will be my first 3V, but I'm sure it won't be my last. I'm a little worried about sharpening it, since I'm sharpening impared, but I figure if I'm good about maintaining the edge, I won't ever have to worry about it. 3V has a nice slow dulling curve, from what I hear. So it should give me ample time to notice that it's dulling, and strop it up. Unlike some of the cheap steels I have where they go from razor to butter knife in a matter of hours.
 
Yes....3V will be easier to maintain via stropping....compared to S30V or D2.

The 0.8% carbon makes a difference. (not too high)


The vanadium is what helps it hold that edge longer.


I'm not surprised the edges are not rolling from chopping/batoning...this is a high-shock/impact steel. That's its specialty. :D
 
Daniel Koster said:
Yes....3V will be easier to maintain via stropping....compared to S30V or D2.
Click to expand...


Interesting. Not scientific but I thought the Bushcraft took a bit longer to sharpen on the strop with the sandpaper compared to my D2 scandi. On the other hand the 3V seemed less prone to chipping.:thumbup:
 
Yes...interesting. I've never known D2 to be a good stropping steel. *shrug*
 
I have a one of Bob Doziers famous D2 knives and it has responded well to stropping. The key for it is the angle at which you strop. I have skinned and quartered 4 deer with it and strop it often and it will still shave. I have been very careful to not cut bone with it. It however does not do as well as my CPM-3V knives.
 
trailside22 said:
I have a one of Bob Doziers famous D2 knives and it has responded well to stropping. The key for it is the angle at which you strop. I have skinned and quartered 4 deer with it and strop it often and it will still shave. I have been very careful to not cut bone with it. It however does not do as well as my CPM-3V knives.
Click to expand...


That's been pretty much my experience with my Charles May D2 knife. It takes a fine polished edge ok but not as impervious to dirt or ice chipping it as Dans 3v seems to be:

may1-1.jpg

may2-1.jpg
 
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