Who were the first makers to use S30V?

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wutitiz

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Mar 5, 2008
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Nobody seems to notice that S30V has been around for a long time now, and still is the #1 cutlery steel, especially for folders. I bought my first S30V knife at Blade Show West the last year it was in Ontario, California (before it moved to Portland)--probably 2003. It was a tanto Simonich Raven, DLC coated and decked out w/ camo treatment. The late Rob Simonich was an innovator who I think does not always get the credit he deserves. He was one of the first to use BodyCote (now Ionbond) and S30V. I still have the knife.

When I first got interested in knives in the late 80's, I recall that 440C was the hot ticket as far as stainless steels. Then ATS-34 was tops for several years. After around 2002 S30V took over. I would have guessed that it would have a 3-5 year reign, but now I see no end in sight. I expect that it will stay at the top of the heap at least until 2012, which I believe would give it a 10 year run--remarkable. (we all know 2012 is the end of the world anyway, right?)

Who were the first makers to adopt S30V? I know that Simonich and Chris Reeve were two very early adopters, but who else?
 
wutitiz said:
Who were the first makers to adopt S30V? I know that Simonich and Chris Reeve were two very early adopters, but who else?
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I think Cold Steel was one of the first, but after testing it along side several other steels, they decided that it was far surpassed by 420 Cryo-quenched, which showed incredible promise in the most "critical areas.":D
 
On a serious note, I believe Strider, Hossom, Mayo, and Onion were also pretty quick to hop aboard the S30V train.
 
wutitiz said:
Who were the first makers to adopt S30V? I know that Simonich and Chris Reeve were two very early adopters, but who else?
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Chris Reeve was directly involved early on with the development of S30V, working with Crucible.
 
I still remember when S30V was the newest kid in town. Geez... I feel old now.
 
beluga said:
I still remember when S30V was the newest kid in town. Geez... I feel old now.
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Don’t feel bad all that means is that you’ve got some time in the knife world. I remember when s30v was new and I’m only 24. I think I remember reading about it in Blade magazine when I was in high school.
 
Chris Reeve and Phil Wilson were among the first people approached by Crucible. Benchmade's 921 Switchback and Spyderco's Native were among the first production knives to use that steel (I think Benchmade was second, after CRK, to use it).

Carrying my old S30V Native right now and Phil Wilson redid the heat-treat on my 921 Switchback. :)
 
marcangel said:
Heck, I remember when VG-10 and ATS-34 were, (and IMHO) the most desirable steels.
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But of course, now that S30V is around, those steels no longer work anymore. Attempting to use a blade made of such inferior steel will cause the blade to simply explode. :D

The seemingly endless rush to market the "newest and bestest" steel is getting almost ridiculous at this point. Most of the steels on the market now are amazingly, astonishingly good. VG-10 and ATS-34 are still as good as they ever were. Personally, if you were to remove the marks from a VG-10, an ATS-34, an S30V and a 154CM blade, I'd be hard pressed to tell the difference.

Even good ol' 420HC isn't exactly a "terrible" steel.

That said, the knife in my pocket is an S30V Sebenza. It's nice.
 
moonwilson said:
But of course, now that S30V is around, those steels no longer work anymore. Attempting to use a blade made of such inferior steel will cause the blade to simply explode. :D

The seemingly endless rush to market the "newest and bestest" steel is getting almost ridiculous at this point. Most of the steels on the market now are amazingly, astonishingly good. VG-10 and ATS-34 are still as good as they ever were. Personally, if you were to remove the marks from a VG-10, an ATS-34, an S30V and a 154CM blade, I'd be hard pressed to tell the difference.

Even good ol' 420HC isn't exactly a "terrible" steel.

That said, the knife in my pocket is an S30V Sebenza. It's nice.
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Your probably very right. Though having a really cool steel might add something to the enjoyment factor of the knife even if it doesn’t to its real world cutting ability.
 
moonwilson said:
But of course, now that S30V is around, those steels no longer work anymore. Attempting to use a blade made of such inferior steel will cause the blade to simply explode. :D

The seemingly endless rush to market the "newest and bestest" steel is getting almost ridiculous at this point. Most of the steels on the market now are amazingly, astonishingly good. VG-10 and ATS-34 are still as good as they ever were. Personally, if you were to remove the marks from a VG-10, an ATS-34, an S30V and a 154CM blade, I'd be hard pressed to tell the difference.

Even good ol' 420HC isn't exactly a "terrible" steel.

That said, the knife in my pocket is an S30V Sebenza. It's nice.
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I think that without direct comparison of edge retention, or a profoundly intense interest in knives (us. :D ) the average user would be hard pressed to find much of a difference between any of those steels. Except maybe 420HC. It's a bit soft.

I recently got a soddie in ATS-34, first knife I received with that steel since my Buck Rush. Fine steel. :thumbup:
 
I remember all the flame wars associated with S30V after first batches of knives went out. Heat treating that thing was not as simple as expected. Lots of ppl had chipping problems, edge retention problems, you name it.
 
thombrogan said:
Chris Reeve and Phil Wilson were among the first people approached by Crucible. Benchmade's 921 Switchback and Spyderco's Native were among the first production knives to use that steel (I think Benchmade was second, after CRK, to use it).

Carrying my old S30V Native right now and Phil Wilson redid the heat-treat on my 921 Switchback. :)
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Chris Reeve, Phil Wilson, plus Jerry Hossom, I think.
 
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