We are bored with S30V

I've always liked s30v. My EDC Spyderco uses s30v and I've never had a problem with it. It stays sharp for a long time and it's pretty tough. I consider it a high end steel still.

I think I've had some chipping issues early on but after adjusting my edge angle, that problem has gone away. I am looking to buy a Leatherman charge tti in s30v soon and the blade steel is one of the selling points for me.
 
halden.doerge said:
Seriously. How many of us even slightly think about what bring “bored” with a blade steel might even mean? Not many, I’ll wager.
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Yeah it doesn't make a whole lot of sense. I think a lot of it is just the psychology of ownership and consumer behavior. As collectors and knife enthusiasts we can easily get obsessed with details and are always on the lookout for the latest and greatest product. Whether it really is the latest or greatest is kind of moot as perception is what matters. Somehow, just owning a knife with a new steel called Super SXXXXVC or whatever provides the fix. I guess we are all affected by it to some degree. Some can take it to extremes.

But we need to be real here. If you handed someone two copies of the same exact knife with different steels but didn't tell them one uses S30V and the other had the latest and greatest super steel, told them to use the knives like they normally do for EDC, I would wager the majority would not be able to tell any difference in any way that the two knives had different steel. Some would figure it--probably very heavy users who sharpen a lot, but the majority would not.
 
BubbaGump said:
Yeah it doesn't make a whole lot of sense. I think a lot of it is just the psychology of ownership and consumer behavior. As collectors and knife enthusiasts we can easily get obsessed with details and are always on the lookout for the latest and greatest product. Whether it really is the latest or greatest is kind of moot as perception is what matters. Somehow, just owning a knife with a new steel called Super SXXXXVC or whatever provides the fix. I guess we are all affected by it to some degree. Some can take it to extremes.

But we need to be real here. If you handed someone two copies of the same exact knife with different steels but didn't tell them one uses S30V and the other had the latest and greatest super steel, told them to use the knives like they normally do for EDC, I would wager the majority would not be able to tell any difference in any way that the two knives had different steel. Some would figure it--probably very heavy users who sharpen a lot, but the majority would not.
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this 10000000000000000%

you need to meet up with this guy who think he can tell the difference between m390 and cpm20cv

cashville said:
Call me crazy but I really prefer M390 to 20CV. I love American made and all but I feel like I can actually tell the difference. I feel like 20CV has noticeable lower edge stability than M390 even if they are pretty much the same chemical composition. My experience is in comepletely different models so that certainly could be it, but from my personal experience I do prefer M390. 20CV maybe be better in pure edge retention, but M390 is far more than I’ll ever need in that category.
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oLPmJAm.png
 
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I'm kind of sick of people saying they're sick of S30V to be honest. What is it you're sick of? the good edge holding? the good corrosion resistance? the fact it's been refined enough by now that the top manufacturers have the heat treat down pat? Yep, that all sucks doesn't it. People that act like there is a night and day difference between properly heat treated S30V and other stainless super steels (to me) screams "i don't use my knives for much apart from fondling and paper" That's my opinion, after owning and using practically every modern super steel and carbon steel blades. I personally think people are bored and they want new reasons to purchase new things, so they want "cool" steel :)
 
Looks like I hit a nerve lol, actually I knew it would. I’m totally open to a change in my opinion of things, I felt this thread could give me a hard look at some solid facts. I have to agree about heat treat and geometry. These play a much larger factor in my decisions. Heck the only knives I EDC are a Military and an Endura.

I use my knife a ton around the house. I did a comparison between a Military in S30V and M4, the difference in wear resistance when cutting and disposing of rolls of carpet was night and day. Bob loveless I believe said something along the lines of using your knives with a bit of contempt. Use them hard like every other tool, that’s when you see what truly shines and flops in a knife.

I can only speak for myself. I like a knife that can take a fine edge easily. Favorite steels M4, HAP40, 154CM, ATS-34, S35VN. I had bad experiences with S30V I guess, holds a burr and loses its aggressive edge easily. For comparison I’m also not a fan of ZDP-189 or D2. I respect and appreciate ZDP, but don’t care for how it responds when sharpening.

I simply wish S30V wasn’t the end all be all with say certain Spyderco models, they are my favorite brand. I’d take VG-10 or 154cm over it even. Simply not my cup of tea, and between Benchmade and Spyderco it’s everywhere I look.
 
P2P said:
Looks like I hit a nerve lol, actually I knew it would. I’m totally open to a change in my opinion of things, I felt this thread could give me a hard look at some solid facts. I have to agree about heat treat and geometry. These play a much larger factor in my decisions. Heck the only knives I EDC are a Military and an Endura.

I use my knife a ton around the house. I did a comparison between a Military in S30V and M4, the difference in wear resistance when cutting and disposing of rolls of carpet was night and day. Bob loveless I believe said something along the lines of using your knives with a bit of contempt. Use them hard like every other tool, that’s when you see what truly shines and flops in a knife.

I can only speak for myself. I like a knife that can take a fine edge easily. Favorite steels M4, HAP40, 154CM, ATS-34, S35VN. I had bad experiences with S30V I guess, holds a burr and loses its aggressive edge easily. For comparison I’m also not a fan of ZDP-189 or D2. I respect and appreciate ZDP, but don’t care for how it responds when sharpening.

I simply wish S30V wasn’t the end all be all with say certain Spyderco models, they are my favorite brand. I’d take VG-10 or 154cm over it even. Simply not my cup of tea, and between Benchmade and Spyderco it’s everywhere I look.
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"the end all be all"? Really? I don't know how anyone could realistically look at what Spyderco and Benchmade put out and say that with a straight face. Especially Spyderco. No one pushes the envelope for steel diversity as much as they do. And virtually everything they do in S30V is available in Sprint runs and/or dealer exclusives in other different steels.

But hey, don't mind me, clearly it's just touched nerves talking. That must explain it.

:confused:
 
Hey, I was just trying to be friendly and stoke some conversation. It’s obvious that this is the opinion of a few respected users out there. Looks like I’m pushing boundaries with some of you however.
 
P2P said:
Looks like I hit a nerve lol, actually I knew it would. I’m totally open to a change in my opinion of things, I felt this thread could give me a hard look at some solid facts. I have to agree about heat treat and geometry. These play a much larger factor in my decisions. Heck the only knives I EDC are a Military and an Endura.

I use my knife a ton around the house. I did a comparison between a Military in S30V and M4, the difference in wear resistance when cutting and disposing of rolls of carpet was night and day. Bob loveless I believe said something along the lines of using your knives with a bit of contempt. Use them hard like every other tool, that’s when you see what truly shines and flops in a knife.

I can only speak for myself. I like a knife that can take a fine edge easily. Favorite steels M4, HAP40, 154CM, ATS-34, S35VN. I had bad experiences with S30V I guess, holds a burr and loses its aggressive edge easily. For comparison I’m also not a fan of ZDP-189 or D2. I respect and appreciate ZDP, but don’t care for how it responds when sharpening.

I simply wish S30V wasn’t the end all be all with say certain Spyderco models, they are my favorite brand. I’d take VG-10 or 154cm over it even. Simply not my cup of tea, and between Benchmade and Spyderco it’s everywhere I look.
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In my experience, ZDP-189 sharpens up beautifully (and fast) on Shapton water stones. The ZDP matrix is hardened to 67 HRC. The Chrome Carbide inclusions are around 72 HRC. The Shaptons are harder than anything in the ZDP.
 
tiguy7 said:
In my experience, ZDP-189 sharpens up beautifully (and fast) on Shapton water stones. The ZDP matrix is hardened to 67 HRC. The Chrome Carbide inclusions are around 72 HRC. The Shaptons are harder than anything in the ZDP.
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I used the DMT diamonds with Spyderco brown and white stones on a ZDP Delica. Never could get a razor edge. Though I’m not the most incredible knife sharpener either. I had a feeling going into such a high Rockwell that I would have trouble. I’ve got a feeling S110v would be no friend of mine either.
 
Kreyzhorse said:
Hell, I'm not even bored with VG10 yet, much less S30V. Its a steel that I've had good results with the newest steels arent really a selling point for me anymore. I'm drawn to new designs and really, VG 10 upwards still holds my interest.
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VG-10 is used as the core in many expensive San Mai chef knives costing more than $200. My guess is that the VG is hardened to the soft side of a finishing steel and can be touched up on the go.
 
P2P said:
I used the DMT diamonds with Spyderco brown and white stones on a ZDP Delica. Never could get a razor edge. Though I’m not the most incredible knife sharpener either. I had a feeling going into such a high Rockwell that I would have trouble. I’ve got a feeling S110v would be no friend of mine either.
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I have an edge pro apex, 1x30 belt sander, water stones, a work sharp sharpener and various other stones.

With a little diligence zdp can be made razor sharp.

What do you sharpen with?
 
P2P said:
I used the DMT diamonds with Spyderco brown and white stones on a ZDP Delica. Never could get a razor edge. Though I’m not the most incredible knife sharpener either. I had a feeling going into such a high Rockwell that I would have trouble. I’ve got a feeling S110v would be no friend of mine either.
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I have the Diamond stuff (Venev Bonded Diamond “stones”), and I use them on any blade that contains Carbides that are above 72 HRC. When I sharpen ZDP on the Shaptons, I stop at 2000 grit because I get a very useful edge at that level of polishing. I have 4000, 6000, 8000, 16000, and 30000 stones, but I haven’t needed them for my EDC.
 
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shinyedges said:
I have an edge pro apex, 1x30 belt sander, water stones, a work sharp sharpener and various other stones.

With a little diligence zdp can be made razor sharp.

What do you sharpen with?
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Freehand with 6” DMT Stones then a Spyderco double stuff. It’s not an amazing combo, but it gets the job done on more forgiving steels. Then diamond paste 5-.5 micron on leather to finish.

I think my favorite to sharpen is Hap40. It gives me an edge that I immedietaly respect with caution. I bet superblue is fun. Never had a shot at it.
 
I'm glad to see the variety of steels available and don't find myself getting bored of any particular steel. It's great to have options for different uses. Sure, it would be nice to see certain knives with certain steels so I can have a knife do what I'd like it to. It's very rare that I'll pass on a knife I'm interested in solely on the steel of the blade though.
 
furfmonkey said:
this 10000000000000000%

you need to meet up with this guy who think he can tell the difference between m390 and cpm20cv

oLPmJAm.png
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Sweet app bro!!! Who needs first hand experience when we have charts showing steel compositions. Things like differing manufacturing processes and differing heat treats/hardnesses would have no affect.
If I experience more edge degradation in one steel than another from the same manufacturer, I guess there is not even the slightest possibility that it could be the steel, or something related to the steel.
 
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