....
Wartstein: Thanks for that quote from BBB. I hadn’t seen the original post over on Bladeforums, as I only visit there infrequently, these days.
Well, it was SubMicron, not me who posted the link to Bladeforums.. :)
Otherwise I couldn´t have quoted BBB, since I am literally never on Bladeforums myself...
/ On SPY27: Thanks for this thread, it made me a lot more (and actually really!) interested in this new steel...
Maybe I should get a Manix 2 LW in SPY27.. only thing I wished of course: An SE version.
Top three going by pocket-time (update March 24):
- EDC: Endura thin red line ffg combo edge (VG10); Wayne Goddard PE (4V), Endela SE (VG10)
-Mountains/outdoors: Pac.Salt 1 SE (H1), Salt 2 SE (LC200N), and also Wayne Goddard PE (4V)
I've run multiple tests on SPY-27 in a controlled test in brand new clean cardboard, taping off a 1" section to test until it no longer reliably slices paper.
Both the Benchmade Bugout S30V and Spyderco Lil Native S30V give me a test result of about 150 feet, every time.
Meanwhile SPY-27 consistently does about 300 feet in the same test.
That sounds a lot like a difference in edge angle. You can easily make simple low alloy steel types dramatically outperform complex alloys in cutting tests by using a different edge angle.
(Which is one of the best arguments against using expensive steel in a knife.)
That sounds a lot like a difference in edge angle. You can easily make simple low alloy steel types dramatically outperform complex alloys in cutting tests by using a different edge angle.
(Which is one of the best arguments against using expensive steel in a knife.)
The edge angles were the same. The sharpening was the same.
Well, it was SubMicron, not me who posted the link to Bladeforums.. :)
Otherwise I couldn´t have quoted BBB, since I am literally never on Bladeforums myself...
/ On SPY27: Thanks for this thread, it made me a lot more (and actually really!) interested in this new steel...
Maybe I should get a Manix 2 LW in SPY27.. only thing I wished of course: An SE version.
Yes, thanks to SubMicron for the link too. :)
I agree, there’s some very interesting and informative posts in this thread.
I recently had a SPY27 Para 3 pass through my hands, which a friend asked me to order for them. Now that they seem to be currently sold out and I can’t obtain one for myself, I’m trying to coax her to bring it back, so I can play around with sharpening it!
Patience, my friend, SE SPY27 is certainly on the way!
Has the price been discussed? I'm surprised to see this sit so far above S30V ($98) and Rex45 ($122.50) at $140 for a Para 3 LW. If composition and performance is supposed to be similar to S30V and S35VN, is the improvement worth 40%+ more in cost to the end user?
CRU-CARTA THE SEKI MODELS! AND BRING US THE DODO-FLY!
Has the price been discussed? I'm surprised to see this sit so far above S30V ($98) and Rex45 ($122.50) at $140 for a Para 3 LW. If composition and performance is supposed to be similar to S30V and S35VN, is the improvement worth 40%+ more in cost to the end user?
If the end user typically uses the knife until its totally dull the answer might be no.
Whereas if the end user maintains a high degree of sharpness, the answer would be yes, especially if normal non-abrasive things are whats primarily being cut.
SPY-27 will hold the fine edge longer... Its all about the stability of the fine edge, not the total wear resistance until fully dull. In this regard, SPY-27 can do what other stainless steels cant.
Has the price been discussed? I'm surprised to see this sit so far above S30V ($98) and Rex45 ($122.50) at $140 for a Para 3 LW. If composition and performance is supposed to be similar to S30V and S35VN, is the improvement worth 40%+ more in cost to the end user?
There is no S30V Para 3 LW yet, the $98 version is BD1N. I was surprised that the SPY27 Para 3 LW was so much more expensive than the base model and the Rex45 model. Just got a Para 3 LW with SPY27 and am very interested to see how the steel compares to others that I have used.
Has the price been discussed? I'm surprised to see this sit so far above S30V ($98) and Rex45 ($122.50) at $140 for a Para 3 LW. If composition and performance is supposed to be similar to S30V and S35VN, is the improvement worth 40%+ more in cost to the end user?
No real surprise to me on the price. Spy27 is a newly developed steel exclusive to Spyderco. S30V & S35V have been around longer and are used by multiple knife companies & makers.
Has the price been discussed? I'm surprised to see this sit so far above S30V ($98) and Rex45 ($122.50) at $140 for a Para 3 LW. If composition and performance is supposed to be similar to S30V and S35VN, is the improvement worth 40%+ more in cost to the end user?
There is no S30V Para 3 LW yet, the $98 version is BD1N. I was surprised that the SPY27 Para 3 LW was so much more expensive than the base model and the Rex45 model. Just got a Para 3 LW with SPY27 and am very interested to see how the steel compares to others that I have used.
Oh, yes, you are right. I was forgetting the base Para 3 LW was BD1N.
So still above 2 of the hottest steels in Rex45 and 4V (which probably would have been more in line with the Rex45 without the DLC added costs).
I get that there are R&D costs associated and the quantities low here in the beginnings, but the price seems a bit high compared to other steels. I just wonder if it can differentiate itself from S30V enough to drive enough demand at the higher price point. I think the scale color will at least help somewhat as some people will pay extra to not have another black knife.
CRU-CARTA THE SEKI MODELS! AND BRING US THE DODO-FLY!
So still above 2 of the hottest steels in Rex45 and 4V (which probably would have been more in line with the Rex45 without the DLC added costs).
I get that there are R&D costs associated and the quantities low here in the beginnings, but the price seems a bit high compared to other steels. I just wonder if it can differentiate itself from S30V enough to drive enough demand at the higher price point. I think the scale color will at least help somewhat as some people will pay extra to not have another black knife.
Also wondering why SPY27 is so pricey in these first models, and seeing the Native LW numbers, I looked up some Manix MAPs.
Being $17.50 more than both Rex 45 and linered/G10 S30V, the same price as the harder-to-grind and DLC coated S90V, and nearly the same price as the even harder-to-grind S110V, it really looks like they’re trying to recoup development costs. I just hope that the annual price increase is skipped on these two models this coming new year.
It’s also interesting how the Rex 45 vs SPY27 price difference is inconsistent between the Native LW (12.5%) and the Manix LW (0%). Makes me kind of glad that I like Manix LWs better than Natives of any kind.
I’m also pleasantly surprised by SubMicron’s stunning testing results.
I look forward to more testers getting SPY27 and me getting the Manix LW and Mule.
While I don’t have an issue with the steel, the current pricing isn’t very attractive. I would be more excited if SPY27 replaced S30V, without a big price increase.
If you primarily value corrosion resistance, BD1N is a better option. If you want fine edge stability, REX 45 is a better option. S30V is probably a better value for value-oriented knife buyers, who don’t care very much about the extra 2 HRC.
I've only sharpened spy27 twice. I'm sending it out for hrc testing once my k390 delica shows up,. I'dont like the para 3 lightweight model, but it was the only way I could see first hand what this steel can do. I would guess about a 62 overall hardness with the cobalt level and how it felt on the Stones. I'm no expert at heat treatments, but this feels very dialed in. This is just my opinion but I think multiple cryo cycles is in the realm of possibility. As far as where it ranks on my list of favorite steels, I'd say too early to tell. It's a user steel like cruwear, very easy to sharpen and takes a nice edge from the spyderco ceramics. I haven't tried going beyond the fine ceramic, so sharpmaker users will enjoy this stuff. Overall very happy with spy27 and how it's performing. I can see this being compared to bd1n as it should be. Only bd1n I own is a custom from triple B Shawn so it's unfair to base constructive comparisons on my experiences. At this point in time I'd probably pick spy27 over s30v not because it's newer. But I feel like it holds up better to my uses/preferences for a knife steel.
"Nothing is built on stone; all is built on sand, but we must build as if the sand were stone."
