Thoughts On The Blade Steels Used In The Sebenza Over The Years..............

[13aphomet]

I've had a few CRK's (probably 10). Mostly 21's in s35vn and a couple Umnum's also in s35.. I carry my knives and use them hard at work. I did notice some s35vn CRKs held an edge better than others, a few being horrible. I mean, I'm doing the same job everyday so it's a pretty good real-world test. There were a few examples of s35vn in my travels that DID hold a suitable edge.

I recently picked up a Large Regular in s30v and, I'm not kidding, holds an edge day to day better than any of the s35vn CRK's I've had, like way better. On paper, s35 should have better retention and probably does, the problem is probably heat treat variances..
This surprises me, CRK has such TIGHT tolerances on everything they do. Why let there be variances in HT? I've also heard that the difference from like RC58 to RC59 is huge.

I've been tossing around the idea of looking for a bg-42 regular sebenza to upgrade from my s30 regular.. but after hearing how hard it is to sharpen from everyone here I probably won't do it... hahah

 

[TTTis]

I've been tossing around the idea of looking for a bg-42 regular sebenza to upgrade from my s30 regular.. but after hearing how hard it is to sharpen from everyone here I probably won't do it... hahah

BG42 isn't hard to sharpen with DMT stones.

 

[TTTis]

In my opinion the s35vn at stock hardness losses it's edge a little quick for me, especially compared to the one I had hardened to 60-61hrc. Enjoy the one I had re hardened. However maintence is easier and sharpening is faster. I enjoy sharpening knives so I don't hate I have to sharpen them more but sometimes I wish I didn't haha.

Ditto. And Paul is a great guy to talk to. Not afraid to tell you everything he knows about HT! I was surprised at the higher hardness being easier to sharpen.

I would love to see the S35VN run a bit harder. Anyone know how much harder it can be run while maintaining toughness equal to S30V? I know at 61-62 its a vicious steel and really becomes a super steel.

I've found 60 to be quite awesome in S35. I've been using a hardened sebenza for 2 years now, not a single chip and edge retention is fantastic. I used to have to sharpen every few days (I use my knife a lot during the day). Now I can pretty much just strop it a few times a week to keep the edge. It's a great steel. Never had one at 61-62. Most custom makers that I've spoken to (that really love S35) tell me 60-61 is the sweet spot.

 

[pvicenzi]

I've only had experience with s30v, s35vn, andt stainles damascus. In day to day use, i really don't notice any difference in them.
However, I did notice that I put one of my sharpest edges ever on one of the damascus knives.

 

[jon1all]

Cool thread. I appreciate your taking the time to share your experience nyefmaker.

I am a fairly new convert to CRK and both of my Seb21s (Lg Insingo & Sm. clip point) are S35VN (which I have had very good experience with with Hinderer and Zero Tolerance)... and so far so good. But I do have a soft spot for S30V in general as well. Never had an S30V CRK knife though.