Whos digging the S35VN ?

[softrockrenegade]

How is the new s35vn CRK is using on their knives now? I'm gonna be sending my miarta seb in for double lugs , new screws and washers and am thinking about just getting a new blade with double lugs instead. How does the new steel compare to s30v considering they are both heat treated to 58-59 rc ?

 

[Toyz]

Theres been several threads recently comparing the 2 steels - I personally don't see much different between the two based on my moderate usage.

I think my new large Sebenza with S35VN was a little sharper out of the box that my previous two in S30V, but thats where the differences stop.

For me - I don't see enough of a difference to spend money upgrading the blade on my Umnumzaan or Mnandi, which are in S30V.

I think Ankerson has an Umnumzaan in S30V that he recently tested and is soon to get one in S35VN - thats where the real difference will be shown once he has the chance to test it.

 

[archieblue]

I've had a Nyala with s35vn for several months now... almost a year. I got a Sm Seb around a month ago with it as well. Honestly from a using point of view there may be a little difference but nothing huge. I have not really noticed that it is easier to sharpen either. The only major difference was the out of the box sharpness. I've had a BUNCH of CRKs and they have always been amazingly sharp (obviously those who use the term "Spydie sharp" don't realize what is possible.) This new Sm21 was truly hair-popping-almost tooo sharp. I've used the heck out of it and it just asks for more. There is no way I would consider a blade swap... If I was THAT into it, I would just sell or trade the current one and get one with s35vn... you'll spend little or nothing on the swap unless you trade for a DL... but then it'll still be a reasonable expense.

 

[BBQ BOY]

The only S35VN CRK that I have is the Nyala. I am disappointed in the steel myself. I was expecting a steel with better edge retention but in my opinion and usage it does not outperform S30V. I was actually very surprised how quickly the edge dulled.

 

[softrockrenegade]

Thanks for the input I think I'll just add the lugs to my current blade and have them put a fresh factory edge on it ... Still has eons of life left in it!

 

[Ankerson]

Theres been several threads recently comparing the 2 steels - I personally don't see much different between the two based on my moderate usage.

I think my new large Sebenza with S35VN was a little sharper out of the box that my previous two in S30V, but thats where the differences stop.

For me - I don't see enough of a difference to spend money upgrading the blade on my Umnumzaan or Mnandi, which are in S30V.

I think Ankerson has an Umnumzaan in S30V that he recently tested and is soon to get one in S35VN - thats where the real difference will be shown once he has the chance to test it.

That will be awhile yet before I get a Zaan in S35VN....

But I do have a Custom being made in S35VN and one of my S30V Zaan blades is off for RC testing to see what they are really running S30V at, that will tell me pretty much what I need to know.

 

[Ankerson]

Hardness came back on my ZAAN Blade at 59+ so it's right were it needs to be and were I thought it was.

 

[JNewell]

I didn't think it was supposed to perform better than S30V - but it should be at least equal. Sounds like yours isn't?

The only S35VN CRK that I have is the Nyala. I am disappointed in the steel myself. I was expecting a steel with better edge retention but in my opinion and usage it does not outperform S30V. I was actually very surprised how quickly the edge dulled.

 

[DallasSTB]

Hardness came back on my ZAAN Blade at 59+ so it's right were it needs to be and were I thought it was.

Assuming that CRK holds the same standards of quality across their entire line, this is a very nice confirmation, Jim. Thanks. IIRC Paul Bos always said that S30V performed best right between 59 & 60 RC.

For the couple of user Seb's I carry, I've never been disappointed with the material for EDC.

 

[Ankerson]

Assuming that CRK holds the same standards of quality across their entire line, this is a very nice confirmation, Jim. Thanks. IIRC Paul Bos always said that S30V performed best right between 59 & 60 RC.

For the couple of user Seb's I carry, I've never been disappointed with the material for EDC.

It performed too well to be in the 58 RC range, I know what that range does and the Zaan did a lot better than that so I sent it off to get tested with a little prodding to solve the mystery... At least now I don't have reprofile it and to rank it, didn't want to reprofile it because I like it right were it is now.

Only CRK can really answer that question because I can't afford to buy a bunch of knives at $400 a pop and have them tested, the ZAAN is in the 59-60 RC range though.

Now if Chris Reeve wants to send me a few knives to test out then yeah I can do that.

Also tested a S30V blade in the 56 RC range (That knife is long gone) and that just plain sucked in every way possible, it dulled so fast on cardboard it was like pot metal, 58 isn't that much better either IMO.

 

[cziv]

I'd recommend keeping your S30V blade also. S30V has a solid reputation as a good blade steel and I don't think it's worth the additional out of pocket $$ to swap the blade. My $.02