K390 and M390 in Seki

[bearfacedkiller]

Well, we now have a M390 Delica.

Upward and onward! Bring on the S390!!!!!! :D

[jdw]

I would love to see a Stretch in K390.

[silvershade255]

What I'm curious about now is if there will be more m390s out of seki now, depending on how much steel had to be purchased to make it worth it.

[Cambertree]

The Stretch, the Calys, Dragonfly and Wharncliffe Delica and Endura would all be very cool in K390.

[wrdwrght]

While the Police4 was quite a nice surprise, we haven’t explored all the steels Japan has to offer. For the time being, I favor Japanese steels in Seki knives and am happy to get my M390/K390/Elmax fix from Golden and Maniago.

So, I didn’t vote.

[Albatross]

K390 and M390 each have their place and would do well in a full run. I would like to see both and would buy an Endura in each. I just ordered the Bento Delica M390, and need an Endura to go with it.

Several years back, Spyderco did a run of Seki knives in G10; steels like K390 and M390 would make for perfect pairs with a new G10 run. Yes, there's the added cost, but there's also a demand for those old G10 models too.

[MacLaren]

It's a win-win with Bohler.

[Skywalker]

I voted yes to both... I've greatly enjoyed M390 in the Para 2 and K390 in the Urban. Looking forward to the M390 Delica.

As far as the preference to use Japanese steels in Japanese knives, I'm sympathetic - but for stainless there doesn't seem to be that many Japanese options that are quite in the same niche as M390/20CV/204P. VG10 is well-proven and a great all-rounder but for wear resistance isn't at the S30V level (which I've gotten used to from the Golden and Taichung models - S30V or S35VN or XHP). ZDP-189 certainly has the wear resistance but in my personal experience it's more difficult to sharpen and not as stainless as VG10, especially around food. So I'd like to be able to get something that strikes more of a balance for stainless - good wear resistance, VG10 or better stain resistance, and more forgiving to sharpen than ZDP-189.

M390 fits that perfectly and I'm not aware of any other Japanese steels options that really do. Cobalt Special in the mule I don't see as much of an improvement vs VG10. H1 doesn't have the plain edge wear resistance. Maybe SG2 will be "it" but I haven't heard much yet. Until a Japanese option comes up... Ship the M390 (or 204P, or 20CV )

For non-stainless I like the HAP40 Delica a lot and I could be content with it...but I do like the K390 in my Urban more. I think HAP40 was presented as CPM-M4-grade but I haven't heard of a Japanese A11/10V-grade steel like K390 is. Sadly the Police is just too large for me so I probably won't be picking one of those up (unless I move back to TN )

K390 would be great but after the HAP40 run I don't feel the need for it quite like I do for a higher wear resistance stainless with more overall balance than ZDP-189.

[cycleguy]

I'm new to super steels like M390 and S90/110v and don't know anything about K390. I voted yes to both. Would like to see Seki models done in these steels. Can't experience them if you can't get your hands on them. All models is good because everyone has their favorites ... my favorites are the Delica & Stretch so they get my vote. Haven't handled an Endela yet. Happy to see the M390 Delica at Bento and yes I did put my money where my mouth is. I've been mostly a stainless guy but am now venturing into carbon. Still having a hard time taking to the laminated carbons.

CG

[blendergasket]

I'd love to see a series of clad K390.

[rabbitanarchy14]

There is a place for both in my lineup. I would like to have a DF in these steels.

i second a dragonfly in m390

[A.S.O.K.A]

I personally would like to see more locking folders in k390 thats not as large as the police. Doesnt really matter if its from seki or golden ( though k390 in the new dragonfly wharnie would be sweet), and non-cladded prefered for this one.

[Albatross]

I'd love to see a series of clad K390.

I would buy a couple for sure.

[Jazz]

… ( though k390 in the new dragonfly wharnie would be sweet), and non-cladded prefered for this one.

Absolutely. Really not a fan of the soft cladding, and K390 looks great after some use.

[steelcity16]

… ( though k390 in the new dragonfly wharnie would be sweet), and non-cladded prefered for this one.

Absolutely. Really not a fan of the soft cladding, and K390 looks great after some use.

+1

And I thought the cladding was already there when the steels are bought from the Japanese steel manufacturers. I doubt Spyderco is going to import M390/K390 from Europe into Japan, then add the expense of having a Japanese steel manufacturer clad it, especially when a lot of people don't care for cladding.

[steelcity16]

If we are talking all Bohler Uddeholm steels, I would want to see a full Seki run in the following order. That said, I would buy a Jester, Dragonfly, and Delica in every single one of these.

Vanax
Vanadis 4 Extra (aka 4VE...basically the same as CPM-4V)
AEB-L
Elmax
Sleipner
M390
K390

[youmakemehole]

K390. It doesn't stain that bad. It just looks cool. :rolleyes: Anyway, wharnie Delica, please.

[steelcity16]

Saber ground Vanadis 4 Extra (V4E) Delicas and Enduras in PE and CE would make excellent EDC knives. If they made these in OD Green and Desert Tan with black TiCN coated blades they would be a big hit with the tactical crowd I would think.

I'm really loving my foliage green saber ground CE Delica. The matching Endura will be my next purchase.

[steelcity16]

double post

[murphjd25]

I say leave K390 and M390 in Golden. I feel they offer better, harder use knives for these hard steels instead of in Seki. This is all just my own opinion as well, what do I know? :D