Will S30V ever be an "outdated" steel to you?

Lee D said:
When that day comes we’ll be arguing about which color is the superior choice.
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Red.

I think part of the reason (besides fashion) that manufacturers have switched to S35/45VN is that it is both easier to machine and easier to sharpen than S30V.

I like a variety of steels, but my top 2 have remained the same since 2014:

CTS-XHP and CPM-M4. My Manix 2 and GB1 have been venerable, reliable, cutting machines. I can get them very sharp, and they are not difficult to maintain if you don't let them get dull. The GB1 is my weekend knife when I know I'm going to be cutting thick or abrasive stuff. The blade is all scratched up, but it's proof of its capabilities in my opinion.

Thus far, I'm digging CPM-S125V. But taking my Biryukov to major tasks is still out of my comfort zone.
 
It all depends on what the kn fe in question will be asked to do.

If the knife is to be a fantasy showpiece, then the ability of the steel to take on a ridiculously high mirror polish might be the one most important factor and 440C might be the right steel. If it is to be an electrician's work knife, then durability and blades that do the job trump appetence. A high carbon steel that takes an honest pocket patina will do the job. Cost and ease of replacement might also be important. If the knife istto be used by a game guide, performance in repeatedly field dressing an Elk the size of a horse could trump cost. A skinner in one of the newer high alloy steels might be his choice.

Whatever steel does the job, whatever that job is, is the best steel for that knife.
 
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K.O.D. said:
My first S30V knives were in 2014, had chipping/microchipping with many. I later heard there had just been a bad batch of it.

Pretty much swore it off.

CPM-S35VN i have had very inconsistent results with as far as edge retention.

In the "price" range of those steels, I much prefer CTS-XHP.

While I don't necessarily feel that S30V is "past its prime" so to speak, I think that a lot of knives that come with it are overpriced. I think the max price point for a production folder with that steel is $150. There are a lot of knives I like around $200 but that is too much for even S35VN imo.
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I could not disagree more. Just my opinion of course, but when you get to that $200+ point, I think the manufacturer could afford to use just about any steel they want to. When you get way up there in price, you’re paying more for the extra details, rarity, other materials etc, and I think that most companies go with a steel they know works well for a certain design or size/thicknesses of a knife.
 
Not for me personally although I as some others prefer older simpler steels and tool steels for toughness/durability. I've been extensively using a EKA blade with 12c27 and have been highly impressed with this older steel which I'm guessing has a great HT which imo is more important!
 
K.O.D. said:
Red.
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Correct! :)

PeyAHMG.jpg
 
As others have pointed out, S30V chips if you look at it the wrong way. I look for CPM154 as a "basic" steel, and avoid S30V and all the so-called "super" steels that are even more brittle, yet so popular these days. I wish XHP and M4 would make a comeback as the "premium" steel options.
 
Macchina said:
When I got into knives back in the late 90's 440C and 154CM were the king of steels for folders. VG10 and D2 were advanced steels (that I still love) and ironically 1095 wasn't nearly as common as it is now. S30V would be released in 2001 and was instantly the king of stainless for folders!

Now that S30V is 23 years old (holy cow)! It seems it should have faded away, especially since S35VN and S45VN are "improvements" on the steel. But it hasn't and is still available in many premium knives. It is easily sharpened with diamonds and ceramic and tends to hold a useable edge (in my use) as long as steels that go for a much higher premium. It is a powder steel and arguably quite similar to many of the more recent super steel releases.

Some people have complaints about S30V (I've never had a chip in 23 years, but others claim to), but it's still a very attractive steel to me. I'll happily buy a several hundred dollar knife in it and bring a knife with it as my only knife for week-long hunts. I can't say the same for 440C and 154CM! Sure, the new super steels are fun and I like some of them more, but S30V crossed a threshold in edge holding and since what we use our knives on doesn't change the usability of S30V will never change either. It definitely seems to be sticking around.
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My 980 Turret chipped out slightly from medium use when it still had the factory edge. I gave it a good resharpening and removed the chip and not a problem since. The knife and the steel have performed very well. Some say it is hard to sharpen. I don't think it is.
 
May be just me but I don't see alot of difference in edge retention between s30v and the newer super steels. M4 and Cruwear are the ones I'm comparing to. Almost three are very good in my opinion.
 
I still have plenty of blades in S30v and it was all I carried for a decade back when it was "new" and the "best". My personal preference is still toughness > edge retention, so S35VN and 154CM are still my favorites (of what I've used a bunch) in stainless. I've chipped more 20cv than anything....
 
Considering most knives spend more time decorating pockets than actually being used, S30V is just fine.
Guys like to go on and on about super steels, and how they can tell a difference. If there was a “blind taste test” and the same knife, in different steels, was sharpened exactly the same way (same edge profile, same stones used, etc.) and then guys had to pick which steel was which, I bet most couldn’t do it.
Going on and on about “super steels” is like having a Z06 in your garage that you only drive 35mph to pick up a loaf of bread. It’s fun to talk about various steels, but in the end, most guys’s knives are basically pocket jewelry. But most won’t admit it.
 
sharkattacksw said:
Considering most knives spend more time decorating pockets than actually being used, S30V is just fine.
Guys like to go on and on about super steels, and how they can tell a difference. If there was a “blind taste test” and the same knife, in different steels, was sharpened exactly the same way (same edge profile, same stones used, etc.) and then guys had to pick which steel was which, I bet most couldn’t do it.
Going on and on about “super steels” is like having a Z06 in your garage that you only drive 35mph to pick up a loaf of bread. It’s fun to talk about various steels, but in the end, most guys’s knives are basically pocket jewelry. But most won’t admit it.
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Dead on.. Well said!! :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
John
 
“It is easily sharpened with diamonds and ceramic and tends to hold a useable edge (in my use) as long as steels that go for a much higher premium. It is a powder steel and arguably quite similar to many of the more recent super steel releases.”

If it ain’t broke…..
 
nigol said:
May be just me but I don't see alot of difference in edge retention between s30v and the newer super steels. M4 and Cruwear are the ones I'm comparing to. Almost three are very good in my opinion.
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At work, I have generally used s30v to cut rockwool, which is a spun stone and slag fibre insulation. When I could afford an M4 blade big enough to take on the task, I found it excelled greatly over the s30v in edge retention. In my experience with only the two examples of knives is the M4 goes two or three days with out needing to be touched up where as the s30v was a daily routine. (albeit a very minor chore)
Seems to be quite a lot of variables when comparing the capabilities and effectiveness of knife steels.
 
DrHarmony said:
At work, I have generally used s30v to cut rockwool, which is a spun stone and slag fibre insulation. When I could afford an M4 blade big enough to take on the task, I found it excelled greatly over the s30v in edge retention. In my experience with only the two examples of knives is the M4 goes two or three days with out needing to be touched up where as the s30v was a daily routine. (albeit a very minor chore)
Seems to be quite a lot of variables when comparing the capabilities and effectiveness of knife steels.
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I think this is where newer steels shine for specific tasks and abrasive materials.

Most of my work is done with wood either work or pleasure where many of the newer steels are either inferior (not as tough/durable) or just not required over a decent steel with a good HT.
 
When you put in the corrosion resistance in the equation, S30V isn't that bad. M4 is a tool steel, say, it is like D2 to 440C class, better wear resistance, but is a little more prone to rust. Of course, cleaning the blade is easier than giving touch up. I hear that XHP is also not very good at corrosion resistance. It is all about the balance you want.
And if your job ask for a lot of cutting, like my job in the construction, replaceable utility blade and snap off blade beat everything in value.
 
At some point knives will no longer utilize a metal cutting blade, at that point anything prior will likely be considered an antique.
 
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