Value added for having bg42 over s30v?

au5t3n5

au5t3n5

Joined
Dec 13, 2009
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I know this is a touchy topic and we aren't supposed to be asking the value of items (although I think for gold members it is fine?), but my question is a bit more generic.

How much more value does a CRK carry for having bg42 over s30v (usually regulars, but I know some classics have bg42)? I don't really care about the base cost (since everyone is willing to pay different amounts for those older regular models), just the extra value. Just to be clear, if an small s30v regular is valued at $350, if it were the exact same knife with bg42 instead and the cost is now $450, then value added is $100 (just hypothetically speaking).

I know the steel is rarer and more desirable because of the higher RC, but how much more does this demand from the secondary market?

I have an idea myself, but it has been a while since I've seen a bg42 blade on the forums...

On a side note, is there value added or decreased (or none at all) for having a swedge added to a regular from CRK? It is an irreversible mod, so I reckon it might have a decreased value to some, but I like the look of them and I think swedges done right are actually quite useful, so to me it is value added. But I wouldn't exactly pay a lot of extra money for one with a swedge either since you can get them done from CRK for free? Or is it a paid mod?

Just looking for some thoughts/opinions. (:
 
Hey bro. . . Personally, I would pay $50-100 more for a BG42 Reg over an S30V one,

Regarding the swedge--if it is original, I like it.

To your point about CRK adding a swedge--they will no longer add a swedge as an option--I have asked.
 
MostMenAreRuthless said:
Hey bro. . . Personally, I would pay $50-100 more for a BG42 Reg over an S30V one,

Regarding the swedge--if it is original, I like it.

To your point about CRK adding a swedge--they will no longer add a swedge as an option--I have asked.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the reply - did not know they no longer add swedges...makes finding a matching set with original swedges that much harder.
 
I personally like S30V over BG42, so would not pay any extra for it. I would buy it based more on the knife itself ( CGG or UG ) rather than a specific blade steel.
 
nyefmaker said:
I personally like S30V over BG42, so would not pay any extra for it. I would buy it based more on the knife itself ( CGG or UG ) rather than a specific blade steel.
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I am with Nyef on this--I prefer S30V over BG42 as well, but for the collector factor I would like to have a BG42 small Reg someday.
 
I would pay a premium, $50-$100 seems fair, regardless of your feeling about the steel, the BG 42 is earlier, and I believe production was smaller, meaning less knives left to choose from. Also older knives will appreciate faster than newer knives. Bart
 
Personally, I would pay a premium for a BG-42 blade, and based on what I see in the market, I think a lot of other people would, too. Having said that, each knife sale is its own deal.
 
No value added for me either. There are other aspects that add value such as cgg, swedges, nail nicks, pivots, etc.
 
Some good questions.
I know that having the BG-42 blade is highly desireable to a lot of collectors and some users but even though it's a great steel I prefer S30V due to its corrosion resistance- no extra cash from me there.
I've never had a CRK with as wedge but I've admired it on the Regulars ever since I first saw one. Since owning a CRK with swedge intrigues me I'd pay a few bucks more for one on the right knife. I do wish that they still offered it as I'd consider having it done to my large reg, too bad it's not an option.
 
1AbominAble1 said:
Some good questions.
I know that having the BG-42 blade is highly desireable to a lot of collectors and some users but even though it's a great steel I prefer S30V due to its corrosion resistance- no extra cash from me there.
Click to expand...

Is s30v really more corrision resistant than bg-42? I did a quick search on BF and found this.

AKWILD said:
No value added for me either. There are other aspects that add value such as cgg, swedges, nail nicks, pivots, etc.
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Agreed, I don't think I use my knives enough to really enjoy the difference between bg42 and s30v...I would however be affected by the graphics, swedge, etc on a more frequent basis and those definitely add value for me.
 
I guess I have to agree with most everyone here... I of course do not "use" these fine knives. And from a practical point of view I will have to agree my friends here who do. Chris Reeve is a Knife Maker.. first and foremost. From everything I have read and seen it is his intention, no mission.. to make the best knife possible. The first Sebenzas were offered with ATS-34 steel blades at the time in his opinion it was the best steel he could find for his knives. In late 1996 after several years of producing these fine knives he decided that the best steel was BG-42. So from late 1996 early 1997 the Sebenza was offered with the BG-42 blade steel. Of course not only is Chris Reeve a Knife Maker he is also a IMHO a very smart business man. So during the change over from ATS-34 to BG-42 you can find (if your lucky) knives manufactured in the same time period with both types of steel. Then as we all know in 2002 CRK switched from BG-42 to s30v.. again because Chris Reeve felt that it was superior to BG-42.. And again in 2010 after working closely with Crucible Industries CRK switched to s35v blade steel. (sorry for the history lesson but I love history) The reason at least from the Knife Makers point of view.. It is a better steel for again IMHO the best steel he could find to continue his (Chris Reeve) mission. To make the Best Knife possible.. Long way around the barn as usual, but we as users or in my case a collector, again IMHO the finest production knife made.. So we can all agree to disagree on which steel is the best.. But it isn't our name on the product its his. And from what I have seen and experienced the best steel for a Chris Reeve Knife is the steel the man who makes the knife decides it is. I don't think there is a better judge than the person who builds the knife and proudly puts his name on it.
All the best, Dave
That's my story and I'm sticking to it. :D
Here is a photo of the insert shipped with Sebenzas with the "New BG-42" Blade Steel.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/105937865@N07/12221456655/


au5t3n5 said:
I know this is a touchy topic and we aren't supposed to be asking the value of items (although I think for gold members it is fine?), but my question is a bit more generic.

How much more value does a CRK carry for having bg42 over s30v (usually regulars, but I know some classics have bg42)? I don't really care about the base cost (since everyone is willing to pay different amounts for those older regular models), just the extra value. Just to be clear, if an small s30v regular is valued at $350, if it were the exact same knife with bg42 instead and the cost is now $450, then value added is $100 (just hypothetically speaking).

I know the steel is rarer and more desirable because of the higher RC, but how much more does this demand from the secondary market?

I have an idea myself, but it has been a while since I've seen a bg42 blade on the forums...

On a side note, is there value added or decreased (or none at all) for having a swedge added to a regular from CRK? It is an irreversible mod, so I reckon it might have a decreased value to some, but I like the look of them and I think swedges done right are actually quite useful, so to me it is value added. But I wouldn't exactly pay a lot of extra money for one with a swedge either since you can get them done from CRK for free? Or is it a paid mod?

Just looking for some thoughts/opinions. (:
Click to expand...
 
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^^^Great history lesson and insight Mike :) Thanks

As to which one's I'd pay more for... Definitely the swedge. I prefer Plain Jane. And I just assumes BG-42 was more money... But I guess to each there own, right!
 
au5t3n5 said:
Is s30v really more corrision resistant than bg-42? I did a quick search on BF and found this.




Agreed, I don't think I use my knives enough to really enjoy the difference between bg42 and s30v...I would however be affected by the graphics, swedge, etc on a more frequent basis and those definitely add value for me.
Click to expand...

That's very interesting to me because the only Sebenza that I've ever seen rust was a BG-42 that was wiped clean before being put away and developed spots QUICKLY, while I have S30V and S35VN Sebs that have been out away dirty with finger prints for many times longer that look as good as the day that I got them.
Maybe it was just a fluke, it was my only experience with BG-42 from CRK and was enough to make me further appreciate the almost care free nature if the S30/35 steels.
 
@Dave

Indeed, it is Chris's name on his product and not ours. So a lot of it has to do with what he thinks is best, which at the end of the day is a relative term...

Jack of all trades, master of none. You can't possibly be the best performance steel and also the best to service. S110V will outcut S35VN anyday, but S35VN can be touched up much more easily. Chris wants a knife for the average person (aside from the sticker price haha), that can be used and serviced by the individual. Thats why it can be taken down and cleaned in 5 seconds. That is also why he runs his s30v/s35vn a little softer than other makers.

Chris's other ideas of 'best' haven't all been met with great enthusiasm either - just like some swear by the older regular models and bg-42 steel, not many people like the 'Idaho Made' stamp, the Umnumzaan LBS, new Umnumzaan pivots, smaller mnandi nail nicks, smaller mnandi pivot, etc. CRK replaced the regular and classic with the 21, and in the future will replace the 21 with the 25. I can't say a lot of people are keen on that decision either... Not trying to say anything bad about CRK, just continuing your conversation. I love their products and continue to support them, but that doesn't mean I have to love every decision that make. :)

Thanks for the pic of the sheet regarding the change to BG-42, that is new to me!
 
I must agree with pretty much everything you have said Austens, but as I have said I am not a user of these fine knives. or any knife for that matter:) (I do wield a mean old school case cutter) and I know there are other steels that are harder, more stain and corrosion resistant. And there are of course knives that are more task specific. So I guess the answer to the original question..

How much more value does a CRK carry for having bg42 over s30v (usually regulars, but I know some classics have bg42)? I don't really care about the base cost (since everyone is willing to pay different amounts for those older regular models), just the extra value. Just to be clear, if an small s30v regular is valued at $350, if it were the exact same knife with bg42 instead and the cost is now $450, then value added is $100 (just hypothetically speaking). which I really didn't reply to.. is simply this, it depends on the user or in my case the collector. Does a Sebenza "Regular" large or small with BG-42 have more value (monetarily) than one with s30v.. of course it does. Does it have anyting to do with the actual blade steel.. No I don't think so. It has more to do, as with anything else the condition of the knife and its intended use. But I think that more than anything else the value of the knife whether real or perceived has everything to do with the brand and more importantly the availability or rarity of the particular knife.
Chris Reeve Knives although not all things to all people have a reputation that in the minds of most knife lovers, again whether your a user or a collector for quality.
An you are absolutely right again about the difference in what Chris Reeve perceives as "best" and what we the consumer think. But it must be working.. I don't see a glut of Chris Reeve knives.. and usually unless the seller has over priced a Chris Reeve knife it doesn't take long to sell.
I must apologize for another very long and I am sure very boring response to this very interesting thread.. :D
And of course any response is really just or own opinions which is fine by me!! I'm liken it!
As always, all the best.
P.S. Your welcome for the picture link! You should see the knife that came with it... but that's for another day.

au5t3n5 said:
@Dave

Indeed, it is Chris's name on his product and not ours. So a lot of it has to do with what he thinks is best, which at the end of the day is a relative term...

Jack of all trades, master of none. You can't possibly be the best performance steel and also the best to service. S110V will outcut S35VN anyday, but S35VN can be touched up much more easily. Chris wants a knife for the average person (aside from the sticker price haha), that can be used and serviced by the individual. Thats why it can be taken down and cleaned in 5 seconds. That is also why he runs his s30v/s35vn a little softer than other makers.

Chris's other ideas of 'best' haven't all been met with great enthusiasm either - just like some swear by the older regular models and bg-42 steel, not many people like the 'Idaho Made' stamp, the Umnumzaan LBS, new Umnumzaan pivots, smaller mnandi nail nicks, smaller mnandi pivot, etc. CRK replaced the regular and classic with the 21, and in the future will replace the 21 with the 25. I can't say a lot of people are keen on that decision either... Not trying to say anything bad about CRK, just continuing your conversation. I love their products and continue to support them, but that doesn't mean I have to love every decision that make. :)

Thanks for the pic of the sheet regarding the change to BG-42, that is new to me!
Click to expand...
 
100% would pay a premium for BG42. I appreciate that it holds it's razor edge longer than s30v which holds a working edge longer. Fortunately I haven't had to pay a premium.
 
2 questions, Mike you say you don't use your knives, is that sarcasm, or am I missing your intent? Also I'd love to see some "swedge" photos, and why you guys seem to prefer, or assess a premium to them?, Thanks, Bart
 
Mike is a collector of these fine production knives :)

The swedge is no longer available to have done, thus making it more rare.
 
I consider myself a collector also, but do have a drawer of CRK users.... 5-6 .... What fun is it to not at least dedicate 1 to open and close all day and cut if necessary?(heck even if not necessary) I'll have to look at my "safe queens" to see if I have a swedge.... doesn't register, but.......
 
Yeah... To each there amigo. See if there's a Regular Sebenza in there you would like to sell me :D
 
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