What might be your preference: S30v, S35vn?

[김원진]

Looking at lisanticas recent poll, people seem to be even on both steels. By what ive read on the differences in the steels is just slight. S30v having slightly better edge retention but harder to work with, and the opposite with S35vn.

Any of you trying to stick to the old, or move on with the new? Personal experiences as to why you're catering to one or the other.

please indulge me

 

[Toyz]

No opinions one way or the other - I have both - and I can't see a noticeable difference with my usage. My large Sebenza has S35V, my Umnumzaan is S30V.

I'm happy with either one - over the years of collecting and using knives I've come to realize I just don't push most steels anywhere close to their performance limits, so I stopped stressing out about it. I would have to go out of my way and invent crazy scenarios to put some of the steel I own thru it's paces - just seems kind of senseless to me to do that.

 

[Ankerson]

I doubt most will see that difference in normal use between S30V and S35VN.

It would take CATRA to see the difference if both are run at the same hardness.

 

[HuntBomb]

I'd say you both summed that up pretty well.
Would like to see some pics if anyone does do the hard-use testing though...

 

[김원진]

No opinions one way or the other - I have both - and I can't see a noticeable difference with my usage. My large Sebenza has S35V, my Umnumzaan is S30V.

I'm happy with either one - over the years of collecting and using knives I've come to realize I just don't push most steels anywhere close to their performance limits, so I stopped stressing out about it. I would have to go out of my way and invent crazy scenarios to put some of the steel I own thru it's paces - just seems kind of senseless to me to do that.

I doubt most will see that difference in normal use between S30V and S35VN.

It would take CATRA to see the difference if both are run at the same hardness.

have either of you noticed any difference when sharpening the 2 different steels?

huntbomb- check out ankerson's youtube vids, he does a great one with the umnumzaan. Though i haven't seen any vids in particular that try to differentiate the two steels in a test

 

[zyhano]

my experience with s35VN in the kitchen is way better than with s30v. I use a spyderco mule s35VN in the kitchen and I only sharpened it once to a mirror polish, a week after I go it, and it's still going strong. I don't use it all the time and just on fruits, veggies, meat, but I am amazed that it still shaves arm hair after all this time.

 

[김원진]

my experience with s35VN in the kitchen is way better than with s30v. I use a spyderco mule s35VN in the kitchen and I only sharpened it once to a mirror polish, a week after I go it, and it's still going strong. I don't use it all the time and just on fruits, veggies, meat, but I am amazed that it still shaves arm hair after all this time.

very interesting, might i ask what kind of cutting board you use as well? before i use to buy whatever cheap cutting boards were available, and later finally being told those cheap ones would actually dull my kitchen knives. there's always some other factor jumping into play

 

[Ankerson]

have either of you noticed any difference when sharpening the 2 different steels?

huntbomb- check out ankerson's youtube vids, he does a great one with the umnumzaan. Though i haven't seen any vids in particular that try to differentiate the two steels in a test

I would say S35VN is slightly easier to sharpen, it's slightly less wear resistent so that would make since.

 

[Toyz]

I haven't had to sharpen my Sebenza with S35VN so I can't weigh in on this. I thought it was a little sharper out of the box than the S30V - and since they are from the same maker I took notice. it seems to hold onto an edge very well.

My Nyala is also S35VN, and it also has the stock edge - it's still very sharp even though it has been used.

I don't think you'll regret either steel - I've experienced good results with CRK S30V also.

 

[Davor]

S30V in my mnandi cuts well and stays sharp, but the BG42 in my Sebenza has has already cut my leg, thumb and a hole through two layers of my favorite jacket. Either one is fine and able to cut, so I can't imagine the S35VN would be any different.

 

[zyhano]

very interesting, might i ask what kind of cutting board you use as well? before i use to buy whatever cheap cutting boards were available, and later finally being told those cheap ones would actually dull my kitchen knives. there's always some other factor jumping into play

the same 2 wooden board I always use, though they are beginning to crack up a little
My input is of course very subjective, but nevertheless, it is something I noticed.
apples and oranges maybe, when you take into account the edge angle, heat treat, rockwell hardness etc.

 

[BRO]

I use my Zaan for most tasks, but once in a while I will also carry or sometimes by itself a small Sebenza. The small Sebenza has the S35vn and the Zaan of course has the S30v and I can't really tell the difference in use and in sharpening. I only strop my blades (for now anyway) and they both stay sharp. I tend not to concentrate when using the knives on which blade steel I am using at the time, so I guess it is not a big deal to me either way.

 

[maxfazz]

Ops sorry, Wrong topic

 

[shunsui]

I think the biggest difference might be in the pivot rather than the edge. Probably more of an ease of manufacturing issue than something you'd even feel. Being old fashioned, I think I'd prefer a BG42, but preference aside, I'd be happy with just about any good modern steel and these all fit in there.

 

[The_Guide]

I honestly dont notice a difference. If I were counting my cuts, i might, but I dont so I cant really say...

as far as sharpening... I find 35VN responds better to water stones than 30V...I count my strokes, so here I notice it.

But they both cut, so Im happy

 

[Ankerson]

I honestly dont notice a difference. If I were counting my cuts, i might, but I dont so I cant really say...

as far as sharpening... I find 35VN responds better to water stones than 30V...I count my strokes, so here I notice it.

But they both cut, so Im happy

That makes since because S30V has more Vanadium in it than S35VN so S30V will be more wear resistant than S35VN.