S30V -- the next true cutlery steel?

[Carlos]

Hi Sal,



I know you must already have somthing up your sleeve with S30V, by all preliminary reports a steel one step above ATS-34/154CM and BG-42, and more realistic for knife production than S60V.



I've also read that this stainless steel was formulated by Crucible specifically for cutlery use. If this is true, it may give us some idea of what to expect considering the performance of the other true cutlery steels: VG-10 and MBS-26.



How is S30V holding up under the card stock test, and under Q-fog?

[sal]

Hi Carlos. S30V tested well in Edge retention and sharpness. It's going out with the next Q-fog. We send out a batch about once a month.

Sharpness and edge retention were good enough to seriously consider. It's considerably less expensive than S60V as well.

CV20 tested better in sharpness and edge retention but the balance wasn't right for corrosion resistance and it didn't do well in Qfog. A higher Rc than we used is supposed to balance better in greater corrosion resistance, but it's supposed to give up a little in edge retention and toughness to give the very good to edxcellent corrosion resistance that is claimed. We're still tesing.

We'll probably make a batch of something with S30V in the next few months. We're thinking of the new Wegner design and/or the ATR.

We'll also build a batch of something with CV20 also. Haven't decided what yet. CV20 is up there with S60V in cost.

sal

[Carlos]

Hi Sal,

Considering the pricepoint of CV20, perhaps Lil' Temperance would be most appropriate testbed?

I recall that BG-42 was being hinted at for the new Wegner and ATR (in addition to VG-10). Do you see S30V as eclipsing BG-42 to the degree that you will just skip it?

It is said that Chris Reeve is switching his Sebenzas over to S30V as soon as his supply runs out (2 months or so).

The pace of technological advancement seems to be accelerating. ATS-34 (and kin) enjoyed a long day in the Sun before the recent coming of VG-10, BG-42, and CPM440V. Now the latter two already appear to be getting phased out in place of newer steels.

[V-1]

It amazes me how quickly some companies in the knife industry, w/ Spyderco at the forefront, react and incorporate these technologies. One reason so much of my discretionary income ends up in Golden, CO. <img src="smile.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle>

The constant technological advances in materials and manufacturing equipment/techniques is the only thing that keeps me in the industry of manufacturing. It's the only thing that keeps it interesting I should say.

[Joe Talmadge]

Sal -- how'd S30V do on toughness? I've heard it's in the same league as D-2 and maybe even A-2, which would be just amazing for a high Rc stainless. I think that's what I'm most looking forward to -- taking advantage of the toughness and putting a super super thin edge on an S30V blade.

[sal]

Hi Joe. At this time, we can only rely on Crucibles information for toughness. We do not yet have the equipment to test toughness. Crucible says that S30V has the toughness propertes that knife acicianados desire, so we'll take their word for it.

sal

[scolby]

Rumors were correct. Chris Reeve posted a news release indicating the switch-over to S30V for their folding knives.

We are all looking forward to it there and here at Spyderco.

"Chance favors the prepared mind" - Louis Pasteur

[shootist16]

S30V looks promising indeed. I look forward to hearing more about Spyderco's testing. I also look forward to testing it myself in whatever folder Spyderco decides to use it on.

Dennis Bible www.theleadingedgeonline.com

[Franco G]

What is the expected HRC-hardness of the S30V steel in Spyderco knives?
I have read, the new Sebenza's blades in S30V have HRC 58-59.
The other sources are talking about the 60-62 range.
Any help?
Regards,

Franco

[mschwoeb]

there is a good article in the april BLADE magazine all about S30V. It is about 4 pages and talks about all the stages of the production of the steel. It describes all the properties, composition, etc. As far as toughness it says that ATS-34 at 60RC maxes out at 20 foot pounds on a Charpy impact test. S30V goes up to 50 foot pounds at the same RC.
They do mention A2 as having a Charpy impact value of 40 at 60RC

Edited by - mschwoeb on 2/19/2002 3:05:44 PM

[shootist16]

Any updates on Spyderco's testing of S30V?

[Knife Knut]

/

Knife Knut on a shoestring budget. <P>RKBA

[blop]

I´m new here, so: Hi to all at this forum!

`m very interested in comparisio of steel grades, but found it hard to get some detailed information. Most of the time i found statements, which are called in german: "hörensagen" (hearingsaying).

Joe T. There is a crucible data sheet comparing S30V to 154CM and 440C. Towards toughness they say, S30V has an transverse impact toughness about 10 ft.lbs.; 154CM and 440C just 2,5 ft.lbs. Longtidudal: all three steel grades between 22-25 ft.lbs.

It´s a bit different to the "Blade"-report?!

Joe T., do you have some more information about D2 considering toughness? The only info i have is: at HRC 60 an longtitudal impact toughness of 23 ft.lbs.

[blop]

I guess, S30V will be just a well addition to other bladesteels, which range about 58 HRC.

IMO a bladesteel ranging about 60HRC and more, with less alloy´-content, maybe C 1,1-1,5% Cr 14% Mo 2% V 2% would be interesting in many ways more than S30V.

I´m just thinking as a user, i´m not metallurgist or somewhat.