VG-10 vs Nitro V

[Jeremy Dodd]

I've had my eye on a Spyderco Stretch 2 in VG-10. By way of comparison, I recently picked up a Civivi Elementum 2 in Nitro V. There is about $40 difference, with the Spyderco being more expensive. I definitely understand the nuances of the different brands, but my main question is about the actual blade material itself. Thoughts?

 

[Twindog]

Nitro V is basically AEB-L with some vanadium and nitrogen.

It will be a lot tougher (resistant to chipping and breaking) than VG 10, but VG 10 will have a little better wear resistance.

 

[Tafkaag]

From Larrin 's site:

https://i0.wp.com/knifesteelnerds.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/stainless-ratings-table2.jpg?w=561&ssl=1

 

[knarfeng]

Nitro V is basically AEB-L with some vanadium and nitrogen.

It will be a lot tougher (resistant to chipping and breaking) than VG 10, but VG 10 will have a little better wear resistance.

I beg to differ. VG10 will have A LOT better wear resistance.

 

[Twindog]

I beg to differ. VG10 will have A LOT better wear resistance.

I can see how you'd say that.

In Larrin's summary sheet, linked above by Tafkaag, Nitro V is rated at a 3 for edge retention, and VG 10 is rated at 4.5.

But a lot depends on the individual blade. And its use.

Nitro V can be hardened to almost 64 Rc. At 63.5 Rc, AEB-L gets 440 TCC on edge retention, just slicing cards. VG 10 at a common 61.5 Rc, gets 475 TCC. You can expect Nitro V to have a little better edge retention than AEB-L, because of the vanadium.

And if you're cutting more than just abrasive cards, you could get more edge stability and useful edge life from Nitro V because it is so tough. You don't get the microchipping that can quickly degrade a VG 10 edge in real world use.

I have a super slim Rex 121 blade (7 thousandths behind the edge) that is hardened to 70 Rc. Now that's "A LOT" more wear resistant.

 

[knarfeng]

I cut abrasive materials as a matter of standard use. I'll take the steel with carbides that retains its edge 1.5 times as long when cutting such materials. YMMV.

 

[BlindMouse2of3]

My perspective is more basic. They are both user steels... So use them. I put them in the same general category of use. Easy to use easy to maintain.

Edit to add: I may have been drinking tonight so I should clarify. I consider both of them as good whatever knives. I use them they get sharpened. The use to sharpen ratio is good. Some super steels get used and used and used then used on the wrong things and your use to sharpen ratio changes dramatically. Nitro v and vg 10 can be fixed almost as easy as broken in my book so I have no issues using them as needed.