Which type of Steel has the Most Vanadium in it ?

[strategy9]

s110v does have a higher vanadium content thanks to pm technology making such things possible, and yes, because of it it will excellent at certain tasks: cardboard and staple tests aside: I wouldn't suggest making a 10" blade in s110v to go bushwhacking in the wilderness and batoning firewood, nor trying to find sharpen it and expect a smooth shave without razor burn... Let alone if/when it does dull, you'll have a much tougher time sharpening it in the field with limited resources; fact is, despite it's strengths, It will also have some drawbacks dependent on application...

If vanadium was so good, you would think they'd just do away with Steel altogether and make 100% vanadium blades? It's actually quite malleable by itself however...

There are different recipes for different applications respectively, each with strengths and weakness, from cost effectiveness, to toughness, to wear resistance, to corrosion resistance, and there is a reason they all exist... Keep in mind also, 99% of these steels we love (or hate) in our knives, have a plethora of other uses that are not knife related; (think of everything in your life that is made of Steel)... Another example is razor blades; elements like vanadium mixed with carbon create carbides, which create a sort of saw tooth edge on the microscopic scale, which is great for cutting media, but is horrible for a smooth shave against the skin, so lower carbon levels and carbide forming elements, (and even basic carbon steels) are still preferred in the making of fine (continuous rather then micro-serrated) edges for shaving...

Again, more vanadium doesn't make a Steel automatically or inherently "better" then other steels,, in as much it makes it "different" and/or "better AT" (a specific task)...
I might like my grandmomma's rich chocolate cake better then your grandmomma's moist chocolate cake, and vice versa, despite similar ingredients, (flour, sugar, eggs, water, oil, cocoa, milk, etc). in different amounts, making similar cakes, but different. One isn't altogether or inherently "better" except for personal preferences... 100 people might split 50/50 or 60/40 or 90/10, but which is "better"? Depends on who you ask...

 

[Ankerson]

s110v does have a higher vanadium content thanks to pm technology making such things possible, and yes, because of it it will excellent at certain tasks: cardboard and staple tests aside: I wouldn't suggest making a 10" blade in s110v to go bushwhacking in the wilderness and batoning firewood, nor trying to find sharpen it and expect a smooth shave without razor burn... Let alone if/when it does dull, you'll have a much tougher time sharpening it in the field with limited resources; fact is, despite it's strengths, It will also have some drawbacks dependent on application...

If vanadium was so good, you would think they'd just do away with Steel altogether and make 100% vanadium blades? It's actually quite malleable by itself however...

There are different recipes for different applications respectively, each with strengrhs and weakness, from cost effectiveness, to toughness, to wear resistance, to corrosion resistance, and there is a reason they all exist... Keep in mind also, 99% of these steels we love (or hate) in our knives, have a plethora of other uses that are not knife related; (think of everything in your life that is made if Steel)... Another example is razor blades; elements like vanadium mixed with carbon create carbides, with create a sort of saw tooth edge on the microscopic scale, which is great for cutting media, but is horrible for a smooth shave against the skin, so lower carbon levels and carbide forming elements, (and even basic carbon steels) are still preferred in the making of fine (continuous rather then micro-serrated) edges for shaving...

Again, more vanadium doesn't make a Steel automatically or inherently "better" then other steels,, in as much it makes it "different" and/or "better AT" (a specific task)...
I might like my grandmomma's rich chocolate cake better then your grandmomma's moist chocolate cake, and vice versa, despite similar ingredients, (flour, sugar, eggs, water, oil, cocoa, milk, etc). in different amounts, making similar cakes, but different. One isn't altogether or inherently "better" except for personal preferences... 100 people might split 50/50 or 60/40 or 90/10, but which is "better"? Depends on who you ask...

There is such a thing as overkill, MOST people couldn't afford a 10" bladed field knife in S110V or the raw material to actually make the knife or want too.

Then the maker would have to make the knife, it would be extremely expensive to say the least, likely around $3,000 maybe more by a good maker.

One can buy an AX for under $50.....

 

[shqxk]

s110v does have a higher vanadium content thanks to pm technology making such things possible, and yes, because of it it will excellent at certain tasks: cardboard and staple tests aside: I wouldn't suggest making a 10" blade in s110v to go bushwhacking in the wilderness and batoning firewood, nor trying to find sharpen it and expect a smooth shave without razor burn... Let alone if/when it does dull, you'll have a much tougher time sharpening it in the field with limited resources; fact is, despite it's strengths, It will also have some drawbacks dependent on application...

If vanadium was so good, you would think they'd just do away with Steel altogether and make 100% vanadium blades? It's actually quite malleable by itself however...

There are different recipes for different applications respectively, each with strengths and weakness, from cost effectiveness, to toughness, to wear resistance, to corrosion resistance, and there is a reason they all exist... Keep in mind also, 99% of these steels we love (or hate) in our knives, have a plethora of other uses that are not knife related; (think of everything in your life that is made of Steel)... Another example is razor blades; elements like vanadium mixed with carbon create carbides, which create a sort of saw tooth edge on the microscopic scale, which is great for cutting media, but is horrible for a smooth shave against the skin, so lower carbon levels and carbide forming elements, (and even basic carbon steels) are still preferred in the making of fine (continuous rather then micro-serrated) edges for shaving...

Again, more vanadium doesn't make a Steel automatically or inherently "better" then other steels,, in as much it makes it "different" and/or "better AT" (a specific task)...
I might like my grandmomma's rich chocolate cake better then your grandmomma's moist chocolate cake, and vice versa, despite similar ingredients, (flour, sugar, eggs, water, oil, cocoa, milk, etc). in different amounts, making similar cakes, but different. One isn't altogether or inherently "better" except for personal preferences... 100 people might split 50/50 or 60/40 or 90/10, but which is "better"? Depends on who you ask...

This.

There is such a thing as overkill, MOST people couldn't afford a 10" bladed field knife in S110V or the raw material to actually make the knife or want too.

Then the maker would have to make the knife, it would be extremely expensive to say the least, likely around $3,000 maybe more by a good maker.

One can buy an AX for under $50.....

CPM-S110V raw material cost is 40% more expensive than CPM-S30V and it has nothing more complicate on heat treating.

My friend who is a knifemaker cant even notice any difference regrinding Spyderco S110V compare to S30V. If you have proper KMG and good ceramic belt you won't have any trouble handle any steel... I fail to see how 10" field knife made from this material should cost $3,000.

The reason why S110V or most high vanadium steel is not popular on these kind of blade are because its have zero benefit over lesser alloy steel and its too fragile.

 

[strategy9]

There is such a thing as overkill, MOST people couldn't afford a 10" bladed field knife in S110V or the raw material to actually make the knife or want too.

Then the maker would have to make the knife, it would be extremely expensive to say the least, likely around $3,000 maybe more by a good maker.

One can buy an AX for under $50.....

Overkill comes in many forms, but;

There are different recipes for different applications respectively, each with strengths and weakness, from cost effectiveness, to toughness, to wear resistance, to corrosion resistance, and there is a reason they all exist...

 

[Ankerson]

Overkill comes in many forms, but;

Most of the steels were developed for use outside of the knife industry, very few steels have been developed for the knife industry.

 

[strategy9]

Most of the steels were developed for use outside of the knife industry, very few steels have been developed for the knife industry.

I am well aware...

...and there is a reason they all exist... Keep in mind also, 99% of these steels we love (or hate) in our knives, have a plethora of other uses that are not knife related; (think of everything in your life that is made of Steel)...

It's actually more accurate had I said 99.99%

I work in a Steel foundry, allbeit investment castings, but none the less, we pour 100's of different steels, including m4, w2, 15200, 10xx series, d2, 440c, even stellite, and we make litterally thousands of different parts; brackets, casings, housings, fittings, even small batch art pieces cast in bronze; among all our customers and all our products, and all our metals, we don't pour any (dendritic) knives...

 

[jpm2]

I'm no authority, just a user.

My knife blade regularly comes in contact with hardened steel bolts when cutting the tape off of electric motor leads. I've done this hundreds of times, have used many different steels for this task the last 30 years including s110V. This task requires draw cutting, push cutting, prying and twisting the edge into those hardened bolts. Most decent steels can handle light draw cutting with minimal damage. Push cutting is harsher. Prying/twisting into is the harshest. There's usually some light prying involved to break the tape free. Sometimes when prying, the edge snags a bolt, nut, or connector.

Of all steels, there is only one type I've found that consistently takes the least damage - s110v and its type is way down the list.
Hint: think of steels made for cutting other steels.

 

[IceCold]

s110v does have a higher vanadium content thanks to pm technology making such things possible, and yes, because of it it will excellent at certain tasks: cardboard and staple tests aside: I wouldn't suggest making a 10" blade in s110v to go bushwhacking in the wilderness and batoning firewood, nor trying to find sharpen it and expect a smooth shave without razor burn... Let alone if/when it does dull, you'll have a much tougher time sharpening it in the field with limited resources; fact is, despite it's strengths, It will also have some drawbacks dependent on application...

If vanadium was so good, you would think they'd just do away with Steel altogether and make 100% vanadium blades? It's actually quite malleable by itself however...

There are different recipes for different applications respectively, each with strengths and weakness, from cost effectiveness, to toughness, to wear resistance, to corrosion resistance, and there is a reason they all exist... Keep in mind also, 99% of these steels we love (or hate) in our knives, have a plethora of other uses that are not knife related; (think of everything in your life that is made of Steel)... Another example is razor blades; elements like vanadium mixed with carbon create carbides, which create a sort of saw tooth edge on the microscopic scale, which is great for cutting media, but is horrible for a smooth shave against the skin, so lower carbon levels and carbide forming elements, (and even basic carbon steels) are still preferred in the making of fine (continuous rather then micro-serrated) edges for shaving...

Again, more vanadium doesn't make a Steel automatically or inherently "better" then other steels,, in as much it makes it "different" and/or "better AT" (a specific task)...
I might like my grandmomma's rich chocolate cake better then your grandmomma's moist chocolate cake, and vice versa, despite similar ingredients, (flour, sugar, eggs, water, oil, cocoa, milk, etc). in different amounts, making similar cakes, but different. One isn't altogether or inherently "better" except for personal preferences... 100 people might split 50/50 or 60/40 or 90/10, but which is "better"? Depends on who you ask...

Ok sure but everyone Drools about S110V its the Super Steel and it has 9% Vanadium in it. And wow thats what everyone wants, vs, 154CM which has No Vanadium in it.

So of course there are different steels for different uses, and for your EDC uses S30V seems to be a good balance. If I was stuck on a desert island or wilderness I would want a "softer" steel I could sharpen with materials found in nature.

I would like an EDC Blade with S110V But I would have to send it back to Spyderco or Whoever to Re-sharpen it when needed. Or find a good local skilled person who sharpens.

 

[strategy9]

Vanax 75 is a nitrogen based Steel with 9% as well
Rex 121 has 9.5% and harden past 70rc


Both have been used in knives, both reportedly hold edges amazingly... Are they "better"??? At holding an edge, absolutely, but " better" is a subjective term... Again, it all depends on who you ask... I'm not drooling over any of them, Rex, vanax, or 110v, because to me, I don't need it, and all things considered, to me, it isn't worth the cost of the knife... To me, a "better" Steel is a "balanced" steel, balanced between edge holding, toughness, strength, and corrosion resistance, and also more affordable, available, and workable, while still plenty hard enough to do all things I need. N690/vg10 and cts-xhp all have less then 1% v and just great for all my wants and needs. Elmax at 3% is so far my favorite Steel, I like them all "better" then s30v which has 4%... I'm about to receive my first m390, also 4%, nnot sure where it will fall... I'm sure I'll like it, I mean, I like s30v, it's in no way a bad Steel choice, just not sure if I'll like it "better then" xyz...

So is s110v, or vanax75, or rex121, a "better" Steel?
Better for who? Better for what?
For the guy cutting cardboard or rope all day, sure...
For the guy living a simple life in the backwoods, possibly not...
For the guy grinding it, and working it, and wearing through belts, could go either way?
For the guy who makes minimum wage, and/or doesn't have the means or skill to sharpen them, positively not...

I used to build docks for a living, I cut a ton of rope, but, the vast majority of said cutting was over water, teetering on a barge or float, or hanging between Pilings, dangling from ropes, sitting at the top of a 30' A-frame, all while the waves are rolling and my ground rocks with it. I've lost many a tool, knives included "into the drink", it's how I lost my Griptilian a few years back, shoot, I myself went into the drink at least a dozen times, drills, ratchets, and once we even lost a chainsaw; Under those circumstances, whether it cuts rope better or not, a quality 440c blade which is all one needs, great corrosion resistence, with decent edge holding and toughness and strength, but could be had for $50-100, is a much better Steel then a much higher priced option, just to save a few strokes while slicing, but also will likely cost half a paycheck if dropped, and the chances of being dropped and lost (where warranty won't cover it) are extremely high...

 

[Ankerson]

Vanax 75 is a nitrogen based Steel with 9% as well
Rex 121 has 9.5% and harden past 70rc


Both have been used in knives, both reportedly hold edges amazingly... Are they "better"??? At holding an edge, absolutely, but " better" is a subjective term... Again, it all depends on who you ask... I'm not drooling over any of them, Rex, vanax, or 110v, because to me, I don't need it, and all things considered, to me, it isn't worth the cost of the knife... To me, a "better" Steel is a "balanced" steel, balanced between edge holding, toughness, strength, and corrosion resistance, and also more affordable, available, and workable, while still plenty hard enough to do all things I need. N690/vg10 and cts-xhp all have less then 1% v and just great for all my wants and needs. Elmax at 3% is so far my favorite Steel, I like them all "better" then s30v which has 4%... I'm about to receive my first m390, also 4%, nnot sure where it will fall... I'm sure I'll like it, I mean, I like s30v, it's in no way a bad Steel choice, just not sure if I'll like it "better then" xyz...

So is s110v, or vanax75, or rex121, a "better" Steel?
Better for who? Better for what?
For the guy cutting cardboard or rope all day, sure...
For the guy living a simple life in the backwoods, possibly not...
For the guy grinding it, and working it, and wearing through belts, could go either way?
For the guy who makes minimum wage, and/or doesn't have the means or skill to sharpen them, positively not...

I used to build docks for a living, I cut a ton of rope, but, the vast majority of said cutting was over water, teetering on a barge or float, or hanging between Pilings, dangling from ropes, sitting at the top of a 30' A-frame, all while the waves are rolling and my ground rocks with it. I've lost many a tool, knives included "into the drink", it's how I lost my Griptilian a few years back, shoot, I myself went into the drink at least a dozen times, drills, ratchets, and once we even lost a chainsaw; Under those circumstances, whether it cuts rope better or not, a quality 440c blade which is all one needs, great corrosion resistence, with decent edge holding and toughness and strength, but could be had for $50-100, is a much better Steel then a much higher priced option, just to save a few strokes while slicing, but also will likely cost half a paycheck if dropped, and the chances of being dropped and lost (where warranty won't cover it) are extremely high...

They don't make VANAX 75 anymore so that is really a mute point.

The steels that I personally use everyday for the most part are S110V, S90V and S35VN.

Also use CPM 10V, S30V and S125V.

So use is subjective for the most part as in what different people's opinions are.

 

[arty]

They don't make VANAX 75 anymore so that is really a mute point.

The steels that I personally use everyday for the most part are S110V, S90V and S35VN.

Also use CPM 10V, S30V and S125V.

So use is subjective for the most part as in what different people's opinions are.

So which steel would you select for a pocket knife for edc with edge retention as a priority, and which do you think would make for the best fishing knife, for cleaning and cutting the heads off fish (S35V or S90V)?

 

[Ankerson]

So which steel would you select for a pocket knife for edc with edge retention as a priority, and which do you think would make for the best fishing knife, for cleaning and cutting the heads off fish (S35V or S90V)?

Will depend on use and the knife for EDC, I have used both personally and it really came down to the actual knife I liked the best.

For fish, well that is going to depend on the knife and the fish one is usually cutting as that will tend to vary, not many S90V fillet knives around, or S35VN for that matter, those that are going to be customs and well beyond what people would generally pay for a fillet knife or any knife for that matter.

Buck does make an S30V fillet knife last I heard.