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Why S30V instead of S90V for the Sebie?
- Thread starter koolstof
- Start date
I was wondering about the same thing, but why not S60V? S90 is very hard. Polishing and sharpening being the main factor. If you look at the steel chart for CPM steels, you can see the differences in alloy components. S30 seems almost too soft on the RC scale to me. I've been sticking with BG-42 when getting new Sebenza's. The CR factory isn't offering BG anymore except on flat ground blades, so that's what I got. I do have a custom Mnandi with S30 and the steel seems to be working fine. But this smaller knife demands smaller chores. Maybe the future of CR knives holds S60V or 90 in the making. Given some time will tell.
- Joined
- Mar 28, 2001
- Messages
- 4,737
I am by no means a steel expert but I would venture a guess and say that it's a steel that Chris feels is the best compromise between edge retention, abrasion resistance and ease of resharpening.
S90v (aka-440v) is a very hard steel, has great abrasion resistance and is pretty hard to sharpen, especially in the field.
S90V could also be more brittle than S30V, but I could be wrong there.
I think Chris could be considered the father of S30V since I have heard that he worked direct with Crucible to develop it specifically or the knife market, a claim that few other steels can make. Now it seems to have become the standard in high end steels.
I just got my first S30V knife this week and look forward to putting it through its paces. Have owned many in 440v/S90V and enjoyed them as well.
S90v (aka-440v) is a very hard steel, has great abrasion resistance and is pretty hard to sharpen, especially in the field.
S90V could also be more brittle than S30V, but I could be wrong there.
I think Chris could be considered the father of S30V since I have heard that he worked direct with Crucible to develop it specifically or the knife market, a claim that few other steels can make. Now it seems to have become the standard in high end steels.
I just got my first S30V knife this week and look forward to putting it through its paces. Have owned many in 440v/S90V and enjoyed them as well.
Just to correct the statement above: S90V is not 440V. There are actually 3 grades of the stainless CPM steels (so far). S90V (420V), S60V (440V) and S30V. I have heard a lot of evidence that S60V has microchipping of the blade in use when it is too hard and when it's hardness is lowered it tends to loose it's edgeholding advantage. S90V is difficult to machine, much more so than S30V. It also is difficult to sharpen. I've never seen it used in a manufactured blade (perhaps the Microtech above, or this may be hand ground, but I thought they used S30V). Overall, S30V seems to work very well in practice over these.
- Joined
- Mar 28, 2001
- Messages
- 4,737
Agreed
It was so much easier when it was just plain old 440v. All these S's are too hard to keep track of
FWIW I have owned probably 5 440V knives and most were used fairly hard, never had any problems with them. They were a bear to sharpen though.
From what I understand about S90V, due to the higher vanadium content you will get a considerably longer wear life for the edge (i.e., time between sharpening), at the cost of a more brittle edge and one that is much harder to sharpen.
This type of steel, like 10V, is great for knives that see a lot of slicing action on softer materials (like a skinning knife), but it's not the best choice for a general utility blade that you'd want to remain dependable for the largest range of possibilities. For that, a more balanced steel like S30V or BG42 is a much better choice, simply because it is more versatile.
This type of steel, like 10V, is great for knives that see a lot of slicing action on softer materials (like a skinning knife), but it's not the best choice for a general utility blade that you'd want to remain dependable for the largest range of possibilities. For that, a more balanced steel like S30V or BG42 is a much better choice, simply because it is more versatile.
Yes, I'm positive... It is a Microtech LCC D/A Black Combo-edge made from S90V (says so also right on the blade). Pretty costly, about 330 USD, I think.
Bought it with Bestknives after I saw it on TAD (there it was sold out). As well Bestknives/TAD-gear as Microtech claim that only 200 were made, pretty exclusive, ha ;-)
I won't even try to sharpen it, I think. I'm afraid I'll ruin the black finish with my diamond hones. I will enquire with a local professional.
Bought it with Bestknives after I saw it on TAD (there it was sold out). As well Bestknives/TAD-gear as Microtech claim that only 200 were made, pretty exclusive, ha ;-)
I won't even try to sharpen it, I think. I'm afraid I'll ruin the black finish with my diamond hones. I will enquire with a local professional.
- Joined
- Jun 25, 2000
- Messages
- 680
Since this thread is allready on the subject. Would anyone here know the different types of blade steel the the Sebenza has been manufactured with since the very first Seb? Seems I remember someone stating that some of the earlier sebs. had D2 blades.It would be interesting to see what the blade steel history of the Sebenza is. I have said it before,I would love to have a D2 flat ground bladed Large Seb.
With only 200 MT LCC's made in S90V they probably had many hand operations on those blades, hence the exclusivity, but this is just a guess.
cpirtle, you've had better experience with 440V than I have. I have use Spyderco's 440V and it's easy enought to sharpen and that is good because I have to sharpen it quite a bit (Sal intentionally does not harden the 440V as hard as other makers/manufacturers). Another friend has ground a few blades and hardened it to the recommended hardness to find in use the edge becomes microserrated.
I do own a custom Simonich in S90V and like the steel, but it is not nearly as tough as S30V. I'm sure that this is at least one of the reasons that Chris chose the S30V. It is a very good all around performer. I don't have a Sebenza in S30V yet, but I'm saving! Although I may buy another blade for one of my BG-42 models, I hear you can do that for around $100.
cpirtle, you've had better experience with 440V than I have. I have use Spyderco's 440V and it's easy enought to sharpen and that is good because I have to sharpen it quite a bit (Sal intentionally does not harden the 440V as hard as other makers/manufacturers). Another friend has ground a few blades and hardened it to the recommended hardness to find in use the edge becomes microserrated.
I do own a custom Simonich in S90V and like the steel, but it is not nearly as tough as S30V. I'm sure that this is at least one of the reasons that Chris chose the S30V. It is a very good all around performer. I don't have a Sebenza in S30V yet, but I'm saving! Although I may buy another blade for one of my BG-42 models, I hear you can do that for around $100.
