VG10 or CPMS30V???

pootsythesamurai

pootsythesamurai

Joined
Aug 21, 2006
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If you had to chose between these two steels which would you go for with the most obvious parameter of edge retention :D???
 
If I like the knife S30V or VG10 is not a consideration. Both steels are very good, on the top of my list.
I do not know any knife, which is available in both steels at this moment. Usually S30V is on US made knives and VG10 in Japanese.
 
If I were just interested in edge retention, I would probably go for the S30V. I have several flat ground blades in both VG10 (Caly 3, Nomad) and S30V (mini-Manix, Para-Millie, Ritter-Grips). My S30V blades just seem to hold a usable edge a bit longer than the VG10 ones. Both can get extremely sharp with good equipment and practice.
 
In my experience, S30V is slightly better in almost every parameter except perhaps toughness.
But VG-10 is great blade steel, no doubt about it.

It's true that you tend to see VG-10 on Japanese made knives and S30V on American made knives...but since S30V is a powder steel, I guess the true Japanese "equivalent" is the Super Gold Powder Steel. (SGPS, SG-1 and SG-2).
 
for your parameter of edge retention then s30v is the winner.

There are reports of s30v chipping and rarely any for vg10 chipping. so toughness goes to vg10, and i think that vg10 is more stain resistant. Of the two i prefer s30v but like BH49 said if i like the knife its not a dealbreaker.
 
say then i do add stain resistant. It's going to be used on a farm mostly so any ideas for about 70-80 dollars (40ish quid:D)???

Cheers,
Pootsy
 
bh49 said:
If I like the knife S30V or VG10 is not a consideration. Both steels are very good, on the top of my list.
I do not know any knife, which is available in both steels at this moment. Usually S30V is on US made knives and VG10 in Japanese.
Click to expand...

Spyderco Native is available in both.
 
I think you'd have to be conducting some rigorous and well documented testing to notice the difference yourself. They're both going to perform in the "excellent" category.
 
Yes both are in the excellent category but the higher C,Mo,V of S30V means it has more wear resisting carbides .If you've used both as I have the difference is noticeble but I'm keeping both of mine !!
 
S30V will hold an edge longer when cutting abrasive materials (cardboard, dirty rug etc...) and they should be about the same with less harsh material.

VG-10 will be easier to sharpen, and takes a razor edge nicely.
I prefer VG-10, but both have their good sides.
 
If you're going to be doing farm chores with the knife, I'd definitely add stain resistance and toughness to my list of criteria.

I think that either VG10 or S30V would serve you well. I've used both steels outdoors and in a warehouse environment cutting fairly tough material like heavy zip ties and abrasive stuff like cardboard. VG10 has never let me down. In fact, my current work EDC is VG10.

If you're interested in a Native, try to handle both. I only have the S30V Native 1, but those who know say that the VG10 Native 3 has quite a different feel to it.

Both have choils.
 
Smash05 said:
Spyderco Native is available in both.
Click to expand...

Native and Native3 are not the same knife, at least in my opinion, but very close. I mean that difference in the clip, handle and swedge on the blade is more significants for me than difference between S30V and VG10
I love native and do not care about Native3 and many people feel just opposite.
 
Try the search function, there are lots of threads like this. So far, I've had very good luck with knives in VG10, excellent edge holding. I've had bad luck with knives in S30V, horrible edges, and bad edge holding, although, I have to admit, I haven't ever had a chipping problem.

Based on my experience, I go with VG10 every time. I consider it much better than S30V. YMMV.
 
For a "farm" pocket knife, the Kershaw S30V Blur would be hard to beat. And it's only ~$75! I have one, and it's a truly superb blade. And S30V is a stainless steel, so stain resistance isn't really an issue, IMHO.

Ben
 
I don't really trust any lock knife unless it has a choil because for me no lock is unbreakable and I like that added safety that a choil gives me. How different does the VG10 native feel? Pros and cons anyone:D?
 
Ok then I will go with a completely different suggestion. For a real workhorse I would go with the pacific salt in H1 steel. It does't have the edgeholding of VG10 or S30V but the total corrosion resistance makes this such a worry free knife that make up for the reduced edgeholding IMHO.
 
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