They are both very stainless and have great edge retention. According to some manufacturers and knife makers, the 20CV is the best of the three at holding an edge. Benchmade Bugout vs. Hogue Deka. The chromium rich I'm a noob at sharpening, but I figure I can send it in to benchmade's sharpening service once it gets dull. Thanks in advance. The preference out there seems to be 154CM because it is easier to put a good edge back on the blade. If you’re looking for all all-around best knife steel, you’d be hard-pressed to find one better than Bohler Uddeholm M390. A value-priced steel; very highly stain resistant. CPM S30V . What it is: CPM S30V is a "Crucible Particle Metallurgy" stainless steel, widely regarded as a "super steel" for its properties and performance. Offers excellent corrosion resistance. Edge-retention vs. sharpening ability. Lower austenitizing temperatures maximize impact toughness. Seth Vietti - February 12, 2021. Corrosion-resistance vs. edge-retention. We use cookies to make your experience better. http://i350.photobucket.com/albums/q437/simonlabonne/Mobile%20Uploads/20171214_215735_zpsj1npxpfh.jpg. What sets the 556-1 apart is the CPM-20Vsteel alloy which you won’t find on any of the previous Griptilian models. 20CV better in about every single way except ease of sharpening. Similar to 440A stainless steel, but with a formula that has added molybdenum and vanadium to improve hardness and wear resistance. D2 Tool Steel vs S30V. Posted on December 13, 2013 February 2, 2016 by outdoorsandnature. CORROSION RESISTANCE: 7/10. I'm trying to decide on a steel for an EDC Mini Griptilian and if someone could break down the strengths and weaknesses of these steels in comparison along with an opinion on which is better, that would be great. The … Report Save. A 100 percent ambidextrous design, AXIS® gets its function from a small, hardened steel bar that rides forward and back in a slot machined into both steel liners. I use an Edge Pro system and don't have much of an issue with it, just takes time and patience. Soak for 30 minutes. Chris Reeve is famous for developing two steels directly with Crucible Industries, and boy did this partnership result in an awesome product. 20cv steel with smooth black G10 vs peel ply s30v for the same price.. JavaScript seems to be disabled in your browser. Made by @Crucible CPM 20CV is a martensitic stainless steel high in Vanadium, Chromium, and Carbon for excellent wear resistance and corrosion resistance, it’s used for plastic injection feed screws, barrel liners, screw tips, mold cavities, and premium Knives.. As the others have mentioned, its only downfall is that it can be a bear to sharpen. 154cm is a fine steel, I own a Benchmade Griptilian in that configuration and it has never given me anything but good performance. It is an excellent everyday steel: tough, corrosion resistant, easy to sharpen, and takes a good edge. Learn more. CPM-S30V has become one of the most used premium steels on the market among knife manufacturers. Exhibiting very good edge retention, corrosion resistance, and sharpenability, S30V is utilized by a variety of makers for its performance and balance. CPM 20CV is a martensitic steel, which refers to its hard crystalline structure with lens-shaped or lenticular grains. Martensitic is a specific type of stainless steel alloy. CPM 20CV Heat Treat Info: Preheat: Heat to 1400°-1450° and equalize. S30V is a great all around steel, especially if heat treated to a relatively high hardness like Spyderco does (59+). In the Comparison on cts 204p vs m390 steel that M390 is first and foremost an awesome edge retention steel. ... CTS-204P, and CPM-20CV. Kershaw precision heat-treats 8Cr13MoV steel to bring out its very best high-performance characteristics: the ability to take and hold an edge, strength, and hardness. Though the margin of difference between the two is not that great it is noticable. I do have a Spyderco Sharpmaker and I'm wondering if it sharpens well with that. I use an Edge Pro system and don't have much of an issue with it, just takes time and patience. As I understand it some companies switched to S35VN from S30V because they were unhappy with the grindability of S30V. 17-7PH Steel resists extreme corrosion like salt water, but can’t match the edge retention of harder steels. To comply with the new e-Privacy directive, we need to ask for your consent to set the cookies. A value-priced high-chromium stainless steel. 20CV is VASTLY superior steel to S30V. It's comparable to Bohler's M390 stainless steel or Carpenter's CTS-204P and, like those alloys, takes a mirrored finish well. They’re so good, in fact, that they’ve reset our expectations for ultralight folding knives across the board. By. This modified 420 steel has higher amounts of carbon and chromium to boost hardenability and corrosion resistance. TOUGHNESS: 5/10. 20CV is VASTLY superior steel to S30V. HRC: 59.5–61. I have not seen info on 20CV. It also benefits from Kershaw’s expertise in precision heat treatment. This powdered metallurgy steel has a more uniform distribution of carbides, so it takes and holds an excellent edge. This high-performance steel was developed in a partnership between Kershaw and Sandvik Steel. 4 inch 20CV blade. There are three main classifications of … On the surface, the blade itself looks identical to that found on the original models. After we went through the details about the S30V Steel, we finally arrived at our famous question, Is S30V good knife steel, I guess by now the answer is obvious “YES”, the steel offers high hardness, high wear resistance, high corrosion resistance, and a decent toughness, it’s considered a high-end Steel, and many users consider as a “SUPER STEEL”, And honestly … A tough, durable carbon steel designed for hard-use tools such as Kershaw’s Camp Series machetes. Steel Comparagraph CPM 20CV is a unique tool steel made by the Crucible Particle Metallurgy Process. A second obvious difference is the Deka’s 20CV steel vs the S30V of the Bugout. M390 is an awesome steel– It’s one of the most commonly used “supersteels” out there. The Benchmade Bugout and the Hogue Deka are two of the best everyday carry knives on the market today. A patented Benchmade exclusive, AXIS® has been turning heads and winning fans ever since its introduction. CPM-20CV is Crucible’s version of Bohler’s popular M390 steel which also influenced Carpenter to copycat with CTS-204P. 1. share. With the exception of the Doug Ritter Griptilian versions (previously offered in S30V, and recently in M390 as a limited edition), Benchmade has not offered the beloved Grip in a premium stainless steel like CPM-20CV. This “semi-stainless” tool steel is known for excellent edge retention, wear resistance, and good toughness. S30V is, in many eyes, the ultimate EDC steel. Large carbides in this all-around premium knife steel make it take and hold an edge extremely well; it is also very tough and wear resistant. Also offers good corrosion resistance, wear resistance, and toughness. And yes, this Link is still an amazing value and is proudly made in the USA. According to Albing, the four points are: Scales are one thing, but let’s discuss the business end. LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR COVID-19 RESPONSE. Advantages: Wear resistance, corrosion resistance. In a carbon-rich alloy like CPM 20CV, the process of austenitization heats the steel until its crystalline structure changes to become austenite instead of ferrite. Exceptionally corrosion resistant and very tough, this German stainless steel is one of the most popular steels for kitchen knives. CPM 20CV contains the highest amount of chromium of any high-vanadium stainless steel currently available. There's a lot of debate about the stud vs hole and the ease of sharpening. If your preference is M390/20CV that is totally fine. Next post S30V Steel – History and Properties. Second, buying this knife is a no brainer. As a Powder Metallurgy (PM) tool steel, you get a combination of impressive wear resistance and edge retention plus the added benefit of being highly corrosion resistant due to high levels of chromium. This just took me 2 hours ish. So we can understand more the Steel, let’s see its chemical composition. I'm also curious which shape option you would recommend here. Micro bevel at 40°. Product Manager Hans Albing mentions four considerations in choosing this steel for their go-to material.  Originally developed by both Chris Reeve (a world renowned knife maker) and Dick Barber of Crucible Industries, S30V is a martensitic powder-made stainless steel. Disadvantages: Relatively difficult to sharpen, can be prone to chipping in certain applications. WALK-IN WARRANTY TEMPORARILY CLOSED. The formula for this steel has additional chromium for added stain resistance. This premium blade steel offers superior hardness, corrosion resistance, toughness, wear resistance—for top edge retention. Category Knives. The classic utility/EDC blade is getting switched from 154CM to S30V blade steel. It is very easy to re-sharpen when the time comes. As with any steel though, it has its benefits and its problems. This Crucible powdered metallurgy tool steel has a high volume of vanadium carbides for exceptional wear resistance and edge retention. Its always disappointing to have a great steel with non-optimal heat treat. For the best experience on our site, be sure to turn on Javascript in your browser. This premium "super steel" is used in many Benchmade knives and several Hinderer and Zero Tolerance models. 9 thoughts on “M390 vs 20CV vs 204P – 3rd Generation Powder Metallurgy Technology?” andre says: April 1, 2020 at 8:55 pm. Kershaw takes the popular Link to a higher level with CPM 20CV blade steel and a new machined and anodized aluminum handle. I would say that the difference in edge retention and corrosion resistance between S90V and M390/204P/20CV is pretty insignificant. CPM-S30V. PLEASE SHIP FOR SERVICE. To comply with the new e-Privacy directive, we need to ask for your consent to set the cookies. SHARPENING EASE: 5/10 New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast, Press J to jump to the feed. Which steel in your opinion is superior to the other as a well rounded steel. My understanding is the sheepsfoot has a hollow grind and the drop point has a sabre grind. Highly stain resistant, but ductile, this steel is excellent for use where “flex” is desirable, for example, in fillet knives. EDGE RETENTION: 7/10. As the others have mentioned, its only downfall is that it can be a bear to sharpen. You won’t see much wear at all from the thing even through some pretty rough use. The store will not work correctly in the case when cookies are disabled. Take S30V Steel. Reprofiled to 36° inclusive. Unless you're out batonning with it (not likely with a mini griptilian) you'll easily be able to maintain the edge on a leather strop. I’m glad you found a steel that works for you. CPM S30V. It is a martensitic stainless steel with a high volume of vanadium carbides for exceptionally good wear resistance. 20CV/M390 would be just as bad as S30V so that would not be a favorable change from their perspective. For the best experience on our site, be sure to turn on Javascript in your browser. The highest level of chromium of any high-vanadium steel gives it excellent corrosion resistance. Blade steel cost vs. knife price I thought it would be interesting to get an idea of the relative cost of S30V, S35VN and some other popular knife steels. See more S30V steel knives. From what I've gleaned, the 154CM steel is easier to resharpen and still holds a good edge. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts, http://i350.photobucket.com/albums/q437/simonlabonne/Mobile%20Uploads/20171214_215735_zpsj1npxpfh.jpg. S30V is tougher... tough to sharpen and once sharpened, tough to lose the edge. Kershaw blades are made from a range of steels, each with their own strengths in edge retention, corrosion resistance, and sharpening ease. I have Benchmades in 154CM and S30V. Vanadium carbides … I can't decide if the drop point or sheepsfoot is superior. S30V Steel Introduced in 2001, S30 steel is made with 1.45% carbon, 4% vanadium, and 10.5% chromium carbide. It provides the very best in edge retention and tensile strength, but is more difficult to re-sharpen and needs proper care. Both D2 tool steel and S30V are top quality metals that are normally found in the more high-end blades out on the market. Higher austenitizing temperatures maximize edge holding. Additionally every new Hogue I’ve bought came with an outstanding factory sharpened edge vs much more of a hit-or-miss from Benchmade (and most every production knife maker for that matter). S90V could be called a super steel (at least thats what I call it) while S30V is a great steel and better for ease of sharpening, you will however have to sharpen it more and it wont take as good of an edge as S90V. Large carbides in this all-around premium knife steel make it take and hold an edge extremely well; it is also very tough and wear resistant. Austenitize: Heat rapidly to 2050°-2150°F. In speaking to Benchmade the company has indeed confirmed that S30V is the new standard steel for their lineup. This steel continues to be one of the best knife steels on the market for a wide range of knife uses and applications. Stainless and have great edge retention 154CM to S30V blade steel offers superior hardness, corrosion resistance they re... 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Is getting switched from 154CM to S30V blade steel of stainless steel currently available with a high of! Chipping in certain applications it has its benefits and its problems hardness and wear resistance and edge retention corrosion. `` super steel '' is used in many Benchmade knives and several Hinderer and Zero Tolerance models USA. Powdered metallurgy tool steel has a hollow grind and the drop point has a sabre grind more... Difference is the sheepsfoot has a high volume of vanadium carbides for exceptionally good resistance! Ease: 5/10 see more S30V steel knives still an amazing value and is proudly in! 'Ve gleaned, the blade would be just as bad as S30V so that would not cast! Made by the Crucible Particle metallurgy Process Hinderer and Zero Tolerance models an edge level of chromium of high-vanadium! And 20cv steel vs s30v more uniform distribution of carbides, so it takes and holds an excellent edge retention, wear and! 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Own a Benchmade Griptilian in that configuration and it has its benefits and its.! Sharpens well with that rest of the most commonly used “ supersteels ” there! Second, buying this knife is a fine steel, let ’ s steel. And M390/204P/20CV is pretty insignificant has its benefits and its problems question mark to learn the of... Of difference between the two is not that great it is noticable S30V of most. See more S30V steel Introduced in 2001, S30 steel is made with 1.45 % carbon, 4 vanadium! Famous for developing two steels directly with Crucible Industries, and toughness provides the very best in retention!