what happened to CPM 440v

Jason B.

Jason B.

Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
Joined
Jun 13, 2007
Messages
11,164
I have an older spyderco native in CPM 440v it gets used alot as my work knife and seems to hold its own. I cut many different materals like CAT5e,16/2 speaker wire,cardboard,rope,ect. and it holds up very well. I dont know much about the steel but I like its ability to sharpen easy take a keen edge and stay that way, my only problem is I can't find any other knives in this steel. My question is, is this steel good for a fixed blade and where can i find knives made from CPM440v.
 
440V...formerly known as 6V, is now known as CPM60V...
You might have better luck searching for that last one.
 
The last word I heard was Crucible had stopped making 440V/S60V. JD Spydo was talking about it after the 2006 Blade show where he spoke to the Crucible reps about various steels.
 
my brother has a kershaw with S60V but it seems harder to sharpen. was there any fixed blade knives made from these steels or are they not suitable for large blades
 
knifenut1013 said:
my brother has a kershaw with S60V but it seems harder to sharpen. was there any fixed blade knives made from these steels or are they not suitable for large blades
Click to expand...

I like S60V/440V much more than S30V. I have several knives in both steels.
Like many others, I have had severe chipping problems with S30V blades and never had the problem with any blade in 440V.

IMO, neither steel is suitable for large blades which might be used for chopping or subject to impact. Both these steels are more brittle than most carbon steels of low alloy. Low alloy carbon steels are usually more suitable for big blades that will see impact because they are less likely to chip or break.

I know some makers use S30V for big blades but I would not buy one myself.
 
I have several spyderco knives in 440V and much prefer it to S30V, edge
retention being the primary reason.
 
I spoke with Crucible about 2 weeks ago. They stated that they were discontinuing production of 440V and had just a little bit in stock. It was also prhibitively expensive. I needed a piece 3/16 x1.5" x 36", the minimum order. IIRC they wanted $148, plus shipping.

Gene
 
Crucible has stated in the past that they would no longer produce 440V/S60V. There is a maker that used nothing but 440V and when Crucible announced that they were going to stop production on this steel he bought up a very large quanity. He told me that he was looking at another steel that is very close to 440V, to use when he runs out of the 440V. You may check here and see if he is still using 440/S60V. www.dunnknives.com Phone 1-800-245-6483.
 
are any knives still avalible in S60V/440v
 
Boker makes some folders in CPM S60V: the AFD, the "Michael Walker", and a fancy one called "Deckenbacher u. Blumner" (with damascus bolsters).

They also have some fixed blades in CPM S60V in their catalog.
 
What happened to CPM S60V?
It had some pretty bad chipping issues until people started using it at a lower hardness, and while it works well, CPM S30V is cheaper and didn’t immediately have the problems that CPM S60V did. Not to mention if you’re going to pay the extra cost you may as well go with CPM S90V, which is what I wish everyone would do.
 
Kershaw used to make their "Boa" folder of CPM440v. I have had one since they first came out. It has always held a good edge with no problems. You may be able to find an older model in CPM440v as the Kershaw website now has the Boa listed as S30V.

NGK has both the PE and CE Boa listed as in stock with CPM440v.
 
Demand for CPMS60V(CPM440V) dropped once CPMS30V became a viable grade. We(Crucible) made the decision to discontinue the grade based on this drop in demand.

We do still have some sizes in our Arlington, Tx. warehouse, but very little and by year end we probably will not have anything left to offer in this grade. There are several custom makers who have stocked up on CPMS60V. Contact us and we can point you in their direction.

Later
 
I used a lot of CPM S60V in the past when it was the only CPM stainless available. The problem was it had a low obtainable hardness and 57/58 RC was about the maximun you could get it to. CPM S90V was introduced as an upgrade for 60V and it has a higher hardness capability. It has everything 60V did and more. To get the best out of it requires a high austentizing temp so a lot of custom makers avoid it. I still have a little S60V but would rather use 30V or 90V for most all applications. PHIL
 
I have seen the graph showing S90V to be far better at edge holding and tuffness but cant find any knives made from S90V
 
I have seen the graph showing S90V to be far better at edge holding and tuffness but cant find any knives made from S90V
Click to expand...

Not many production companies make knives out of S90V. It's easy to understand why if you think about it, and read comments from custom knife makers like Phil Wilson.

Microtech makes a Socom Elite manual open in PE and CE. NGK has one CE left in stock. Spyderco will be making a sprint run of Militaries in S90V that will come out some time later this year, just when is unknown.

If there are any others out there I don't know about them. I have the Microtech in both PE and CE and really like them, and the steel. I'd much rather have S90V than just about anything else I've ever used except perhaps ZDP 189. They are different steels, and for me, different uses, both very good. I like S90V much better than S30V. Good luck. Joe
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top