Working S30V.

naccibobacci

naccibobacci

Joined
Jun 5, 2006
Messages
229
Will you experienced members discuss the working of S30V from sheet form to blade. I have a .135 sheet coming from Crucible and have never worked this Steel. What are your recommendations in cutting the blanks from the sheet, in drilling this steel, grinding considerations as well as your recommendation in heat treating this Steel. I know this is a tall order so let me thank you in advance, your advice and help is appreciated. And, If you will, S30v compared to 154CPM, what are your thoughts?
 
I love s30v, fantastic steel for smaller blades!!!!
It's as easy to cut with a band saw and drill with quality bits as any other steel I've used. Grinds fine too, just start with 60 grit and take it as fine as you like. It takes a real nice medium scotchbrite belt finish after 320 grit sanding. I used .125 for most of my s30v blades, mostly because I made small knives with it such as neck knives and folders. As far as heat treating, unless you have a digitally controlled oven, I'd suggest sending your blades to Paul Bos. He's a master heat treater! The temps and times are pretty precise for heat treating stainless!
Good luck with it and I hope to see some pix of your work posted here soon!
 
Great steel. Slow on hand sanding. Forget about mirror polish ( unless you have bend toward masochism) - use a Scotch Brite belt. Will make a superb knife. I've made a bunch of professional cutlery out of it.
Stacy
 
I use Rynowet sandpaper from Supergrit for hand sanding. Our buddy Deker turned me on to it and probally saved me from carpel tunnel syndrome. S30V is wonderful steel. Great combination of toughness and edge holding.
 
I just finished up my first blade in S30V. I did a very small kiridashi and didn't find the hand sanding all that terrible. It's no carbon steel, but it's manageable. I could not get the steel to buff, hand rub is the only way to go other than a "machine" finish.
 
thanks Troop for the kind words. Working with S30V is pretty much covered by the threads here. I can second the motion about Paul Bos doing the heat treat. He is the best. I have found that S30v performs best at a hardness of 61+. Ask Paul to run it at 2000-2050F if he can. Thanks Bruce for the sandpaper tip. I will have to try that one.. You might also try out CPM 154, it may be the best all around CPM available right now. Good finish properties and performance but again works best at high hardness (61-62) . PHIL
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top