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VG-10 vs CPM S30V

They're both premium steels, but I prefer S30V between the two. I like S30V for its ability to take and hold (pretty well) a sharp polished edge. S30V threads often seem to be folks saying opposites, so there you go.

I also carry 420HC as much or more than a "super steel" - it will take a wicked fine edge, is easy to get there, and loses it quick! My preferred dry neck shaving steel. One pass sharp.
 
I, the OP, am looking at Spyderco products. Specifically the Endura and Delica in VG-10 and the Military in CPM S30V.

These knives will not see exceptionally hard use, that's what my ESEE 1095 fixed blades are for. Cardboard, thats what my utility knifes are for (of which I have about a dozen in every config). I can get both an Endura and a Delica for less than the price of one Military but Holy Smokes :eek: is the Military an impressive knife or what?!?!!! Love the colors available in all three models. Sounds like I have much to love about the steels in both the Seki and the Golden CO blades.

I do like to sharpen but I might not have to very often with S30V. But I got good DMT diamond stones in all grits so I could if I had to.

Now if the Military came in VG-10...for less money...I'd have a no-brainer on my hands. But with the Endura/Delica route I could get two nice new knives, in two sizes, and two colors...help me, I am out of control!!!

Well thanks for making it just that much more difficult guys:rolleyes: But this is all half the fun isn't it. I have learned an awful lot from this and I hope other have too. Steel is very interesting stuff.
 
I highly prefer s30v over by simply for greater rust resistance. I always have speccing issues with my vg blades
 
Ultimately...I fully expect to go Military here. I am going to get the plain edge, plain steel blade. Black or maybe orange. Black seems to make more sense (I am not a serviceman) but it would be nice to be able to find it if, heaven forbid, I dropped it. It's just that there are so many nice things out there.

So many knives, so little time and money:(
 
I doubt you'll notice any significant differences between the VG-10 and S30V blades. IMO, although it costs more, the Military is a vastly superior tool as long as you're not allergic to a RH linerlock or to the Millie's limited clip option.
 
kawr said:
S30V is superior to VG-10 in every aspect except cost. I've never seen it chip but if it does its probably a factory edge thing and will disappear after a sharpening or two. S30V from a reputable company with good heat treat ie Spyderco/CRK will not chip from what I've seen. Also S30V is a better hard use steel imo. That being said VG-10 is my favorite overall steel and a superb cheaper alternative to S30V and my go to choice for edc purpose folders. Basically go with whatever you want and you wont regret either choice.
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I agree with everything here. S30V is the superior steel, but I love VG-10 still.

JNewell said:
I doubt you'll notice any significant differences between the VG-10 and S30V blades. IMO, although it costs more, the Military is a vastly superior tool as long as you're not allergic to a RH linerlock or to the Millie's limited clip option.
Click to expand...

Actually, S30V is the only steel I've used with significantly better edge holding than VG-10. In my experience, ZDP-189 didn't even do as well.
 
My experience is a little different from most of the above posts.

For my pocket knives, for tasks involving mostly slicing, S30V clearly retains an edge longer. A little stropping is all I need to keep it going for a long time. VG10 does not last nearly as long. I'm talking about shaving sharp edges. For usable edges that are not shaving sharp, the difference becomes more blurry. But, for pocket knives, I would say that S30V comes slightly ahead.

For working knives, my uses are related to gardening and bushcrafting. There, I found VG10 vastly superior. S30V chips very easily and the edge becomes toothy relatively quickly. As a result, VG10 cuts smoothly for much longer than S30V. I've had S30V chip while whittling popsicle sticks (this is not a joke). And a VG10 edge is significantly easier to fix than an S30V edge. Therefore, for this type of applications I found VG10 to be the clear winner.
 
THG said:
Actually, S30V is the only steel I've used with significantly better edge holding than VG-10. In my experience, ZDP-189 didn't even do as well.
Click to expand...

My experience with S30V is that it really matters how it was ground and how it was hardened. I have a bunch of different knives with S30V and they behave fairly differently. All my VG-10 blades are Spyderco...could be apples and oranges.
 
HoosierQ said:
I, the OP, am looking at Spyderco products. Specifically the Endura and Delica in VG-10 and the Military in CPM S30V.

These knives will not see exceptionally hard use, that's what my ESEE 1095 fixed blades are for. Cardboard, thats what my utility knifes are for (of which I have about a dozen in every config). I can get both an Endura and a Delica for less than the price of one Military but Holy Smokes :eek: is the Military an impressive knife or what?!?!!! Love the colors available in all three models. Sounds like I have much to love about the steels in both the Seki and the Golden CO blades.

I do like to sharpen but I might not have to very often with S30V. But I got good DMT diamond stones in all grits so I could if I had to.

Now if the Military came in VG-10...for less money...I'd have a no-brainer on my hands. But with the Endura/Delica route I could get two nice new knives, in two sizes, and two colors...help me, I am out of control!!!

Well thanks for making it just that much more difficult guys:rolleyes: But this is all half the fun isn't it. I have learned an awful lot from this and I hope other have too. Steel is very interesting stuff.
Click to expand...

I say get the Endura and Delica. 2 is 1. :)
 
arjung said:
After having owned knives in both steels I have to say I'm fine with either. I love the clean and fine edge VG10 takes, and the fact it strops well. However I have more knives in S30. Why? because the other factors of a folding knife (blade grind, weight, locking mechanism, brand) use S30v. I'm happy with the steel, and it has been fine to work with.

When you move up to that category of steels I'm more concerned about other aspects in the knife.
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Yep I would have to agree 100% here. Also with either steel, it really makes a Huge difference as who the maker is, and the heat treat & tempering. Either steel can have 100s of different ways of edge rentention and plain old tough steel. Steels can be made to bend in your hand, snap in your hand, have the edge snap but the back just bent,(differential heat treating) so it really comes down to who is the better at treating either of these steels. Both Very high on my list. enjoy edgy :thumbup:
 
In my experience, VG 10 holds an edge much longer than S30V, and is much easier to sharpen. S30V is a deal breaker for me, if it's the only steel available, then I don't buy the knife.
 
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