Why S30V for GB knife?

J

JWBirch

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Oct 13, 2002
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I'd like to know why the Yarborough/GB knife is made of S30V and not A2. Is it because of contract specifications, of did Chris or another expert conduct tests which found S30V to be superior to A2 for this specific knife application???
 
There is an awesome review of the Green Beret in the current Tactical Knives Mag.. The Author really beats the crap outta this knife... He mentions the chipping that has been discussed here. After pounding the blade through barbed wire... it needs a 'lil sharpening. In the article, he has no trouble getting the knife back to shaving sharp. The GB is a winner! I have a sm'seb in S30V and have REALLY enjoyed it so far! The BG42 was soooo good to me... I just had to see how it can be improved on. So far... the MAIN advantage I've seen is stain resistance. The blade does nick up a little more. FOr instance, I opened a bottle of Knob Creek the other day. The wax was a little high on the lip of the bottle, so I trimmed iw down a la Seb. The glass neck DID indeed bend down the edge more than I have experienced with similar use of BG42. As we all know, pushing your blade against glass is almost always not the best idea. Anyway. The nkcks were there, but somehow the edge kept cutting through the nicks... I sliced paper and could barely feel the nicks that I could see clearly with the naked eye. It sharpened right out. In short, I think S30V will pass the test of time.
 
Thanks guys. I'm a proud Sebenza owner, and am convinced that it is the best folding knife blade material I've experienced. It just seems to me that it may not be superior to metals already in use or previously used for large knives by significant manufacturers, CRK being one of the most respected.
I get the impression that S30V will hold an edge at 62RC better than virtually any other blade material, but will be prone to chipping and brittleness in large knives of this hardness.
I also get the impression that at the mid to high 50s it only matches other metals in toughness, and may hold an edge only slightly longer at the cost of potential edge rolling due to softness.

I need factual data to correct any misperceptions I have, and to educate myself and others. I will soon be seeing lots of Mr. Reeves' S30V used in the field, so it behooves me to know something about it. Any and all factual or tested data is appreciated. Thanks, John
 
First off, Sal Glesser's controlled corrosion testing puts BG-42's stain resistance above S-30V's. Of course, YMMV.

I still don't know why S-30V was used. Yes, it has better corrosion resistance than A2 and carbon steels, however I think corrosion resistance is overrated on a combat knife. After all, the trusty kabar is carbon steel. After corrosion resistance, what conceivable advantage does S-30V have over A2 or something like 1095 or 5160?

I can see S-30V's niche in folders....and while I think it is still over-hyped, I think it will serve well there, with the right heat treat. However, why use it in a hard-use combat knife when there are far tougher alternatives?

Please don't take this as an attack---I have a lot of respect for Reeve's expertise and am curious.
 
Andrew Lynch :

After corrosion resistance, what conceivable advantage does S-30V have over A2 or something like 1095 or 5160?
Click to expand...

It has a much greater promotional value. It also has greater wear resistance, but that is not a functional advantage in that style of knife without the necessary hardness and toughness as the edge loss will be by rolling / fracture.

Barbed wire by the way is a very soft metal, as well with correct techniques you can cut far harder steels without problems. I have cut 3.5" common nails with Deerhunters with no problems, with edge geometries far slimmer than Reeve runs on the GB.

-Cliff
 
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