Sunday Poll - Should S30V be phased out?

[bearfacedkiller]

I don't think it should be or that it even needs to be changed but I have long wished that XHP had been chosen instead of S30V. I could support that change but it also wouldn't be a big change. With BD1, S30V, S110V and now Maxamet I think Spyderco is covering the spectrum pretty well. For this reason I voted no in this poll.

[arty]

Not unless the replacement is something like S35V or XHP.

[TN.Frank]

Nope, S30V offers a nice upgrade to 8Cr13Mov for those looking for a better blade without a lot of added expense of some of the more "High End" steels. Yes, there are probably better steels available like S110V but for EDC how much better do you need and really, for most of us 8Cr13MoV is perfectly fine for our EDC blades if the truth be told.

[Cscoop]

I'm not a meturalogist but my Native 5 s35v seems easier to sharpen.

[Fred Sanford]

Heck no. It is still a phenomenal steel. I love it. I still really like 154CM, CPM-154, and D2. Just because there are new steels out doesn't mean we need to give up a current good steel. When/if the prices drop on the higher end steels then maybe....but not yet.

Honestly, I have mixed luck with CTS-XHP. I have used CPM-S30V on certain folders that have out performed XHP. I'm not sold on XHP yet. S30V has earned a spot in my pocket, as has D2, M4, M2, 154CM, etc....

[Donut]

It is a good steel. When you look to try something that another company has to offer, like a special lock, finding something with S30V or better... it is sometimes really hard to find!

[ZrowsN1s]

whats the downside to switching to s35v? A little better is still better, right?

[Bodog]

I think CPM154 and PSF27 would both be better alternatives.

I have to believe that spyderco is sitting on ALOT of S30V. I cannot believe that there aren't better steels available at a lower cost. I do know Sal had a hand in developing the original S30V even if it didn't turn out exactly like they wanted. I don't know that whole story. Also LC200N would probably make a great steel for the everyday guy who doesn't geek out on steels. It's simply a steel that doesn't rust and can be plugged into most folders and perform well. I don't have any experience with it to say for sure.

[Johnnie1801]

I think CPM154 and PSF27 would both be better alternatives.

I have to believe that spyderco is sitting on ALOT of S30V. I cannot believe that there aren't better steels available at a lower cost. I do know Sal had a hand in developing the original S30V even if it didn't turn out exactly like they wanted. I don't know that whole story. Also LC200N would probably make a great steel for the everyday guy who doesn't geek out on steels. It's simply a steel that doesn't rust and can be plugged into most folders and perform well. I don't have any experience with it to say for sure.

What do you think of something like cts-40cp, too similar to 440c?

[tvenuto]

I think CPM154 and PSF27 would both be better alternatives.

I have to believe that spyderco is sitting on ALOT of S30V. I cannot believe that there aren't better steels available at a lower cost.

What properties do those steels have that might make them a better choice for general use than S30V?

Assuming equal control for alloying element quantities, to say "better" when referring to one steel versus another is meaningless without qualification. Meaning: you need to specify what it is better at/for. To say one steel is better than another steel is not a statement that can be evaluated. Saying one steel is "high end" and another is "low end" is not a statement that can be evaluated.

I think this discussion has huge potential to tease out what properties are important to some of spyderco's ELUs. The forum is an invaluable resource, since we're essentially "crowd sourcing" testing, and "many hands make light work" as my grandfather used to say. However, if we can't effectively communicate our preferences or findings, our collective voice gets completely lost.

[Doc Dan]

S30V is a good steel. Like 154CM before it, it was originally touted as being the perfect knife steel and then fashion moved on. However, S30V has very good and desirable properties for a knife steel. I cannot think of one I would want to change to over this one as a standard for knives.

[Filoso-]

I voted no, I think it is a good steel for edc.

[SF Native]

Psf27 is tool steel and not stainless. They are not going to switch to that as too many casual buyers are not going to take care of it. They save the good stuff for the knife knuts!
The RWL 34 seems pretty good. Not sure if it's better than s30v yet. And I would rather have American made steel. XHP is pretty good. I like that.

[bearfacedkiller]

Yeah, I have had staining on my PSF27 more than once now. It is probably not stainless enough for the standard issue steel.

CPM154 could be another good option besides XHP is we wanted a change that delivers similar performance at a similar price point.

I wonder why the Native5 switched to S35V while the rest of the lineup stayed with S30V? Maybe the Native5 was a test run to evaluate the economics of making the switch? Maybe we will see a shift towards S35V at some point?

[dogrunner]

We are so spoiled
S30v is a decent steel. The Glessers are very smart knife people. Personally I am a steel snob and prefer other steels, but as long as spyderco makes good designs and does them well, why exclude a good steel if they have reason to use it. Just keep using Cruwear (more please), M4, S90V, S110V, XHP, even S35vn all with good heat treat and at a price I can afford and I'm happy. I voted "don't care."