Interest in Cruwear

[mpcgimli]

I recently got very interested in Cruwear. Does anybody know why , at the moment, Spyderco does not put out production models in Cruwear? Is it a pain to machine, and/or expensive, or is there not enough demand for it? What do you think?

[npad69]

just like superblue, m4, maxamet, etc.. it is not classified as being 'stainless' (if i'm not mistaken)

so far, my PM2 in cruwear hasn't even rusted yet even after i stored it wet from rain or tap water so honestly i'm starting to doubt if this is indeed non-stainless

[attila]

At only 7.5% Chromium, Cruwear is definitely not a stainless steel. Similarly to, but a bit less than D2 (12% Chromium), it can be called a semi-stainless. Just keep it away from salty environments, and it should stay relatively uncorroded.

I've cut tomatos and various other veggies with mine with no sign of chemical reaction, so I'm liking it too!

[Nate]

Maybe worth mentioning that Mule Team 27 in Micro-melt PD1 is available. This has a very similar composition to Cruwear.

[bearfacedkiller]

Cruwear is quite stainless and more so than D2, CPMD2 or PSF27 in my experience.

I have yet to see Cruwear rust, pit or discolor and have used it for a lot of food prep, gardening (plant goo) and I even left it sitting in a glass of white vinegar for over two hours and nothing. I have seen more corrosion on supposed stainless steels including S30V.

I have seen CPM D2, D2 and PSF27 all staIn or discolor rather easily. I have also put CPM D2 in a glass of white vinegar and it turned very dark grey in about an hour.

The percent of chromium does not always tell the whole story. Carbon content is a factor too and D2 has more carbon.

[bearfacedkiller]

I am surprised that there hasn't been at least one regular production model in Cruwear. I am not surprised that Cruwear isn't offered as a base steel across the whole Golden lineup but I do believe it could be the base steel for some specific model. The Shaman has a robust grind and Cruwear could have been a good option for the regular production steel in that model in my opinion.

[attila]

Cruwear is quite stainless and more so than D2, CPMD2 or PSF27 in my experience.

I have yet to see Cruwear rust, pit or discolor and have used it for a lot of food prep, gardening (plant goo) and I even left it sitting in a glass of white vinegar for over two hours and nothing. I have seen more corrosion on supposed stainless steels including S30V.

I have seen CPM D2, D2 and PSF27 all staIn or discolor rather easily. I have also put CPM D2 in a glass of white vinegar and it turned very dark grey in about an hour.

The percent of chromium does not always tell the whole story. Carbon content is a factor too and D2 has more carbon.

Thanks for the great info! I've not had the chance to compare the steels' corrosion resistance, so it's news to me that CPM Cruwear is that resistant.

[The Mastiff]

I've wondered why it wasn't a regular production steel a few times. I will say I'm glad peoples livelihoods and jobs aren't dependent on my decisions about knives and steel. That might take a lot of the fun out of it.

Joe

[Surfingringo]

Save me a spot on the cruwear bandwagon. One of my favorite steels for my everyday (non saltwater) knives. Toughness, wear resistance, corrosion resistance, sharpening response...this steel strikes an excellent balance of many properties. I was a bit surprised that cruwear was used for sprints and Maxamet for regular production. I thought it would have been the opposite, but what do I know? In any case I would certainly be happy to see more Cruwear.

[The Deacon]

Not interested in Cruwear or, for that matter, in any other non-stainless blade steel.

[FK]

Really like Cruwear from Spyderco.

2 - Military
2 - PM2
3 - Para 3

Only slightly out of control.

Regards,
FK
Member since Feb 17, 2001

[Joris Mo]

I've been whining about getting Cruwear in regular production several times before and was also surprised to see Maxamet become production and Cruwear remain just Sprints.
I believe that something like Manix 2 LW/Native 5 LW (and PM2/Military?) in Cruwear regular production version should be popular enough.
Would also be very nice to see more Cruwear make it into regular use instead of so many Sprints not getting used as collectors items.. Cruwear is such a great user steel.

[jdw]

Not interested in Cruwear or, for that matter, in any other non-stainless blade steel.

That kind of surprises me. Do you live in a particularly humid/wet environment or are there other reasons that you prefer stainless? Thanks. Just kind of wondering.

[mb1]

I’ve asked this question before too. So in case we get a thread petition response this time, here’s my signature.

[JRinFL]

Not interested in Cruwear or, for that matter, in any other non-stainless blade steel.

That kind of surprises me. Do you live in a particularly humid/wet environment or are there other reasons that you prefer stainless? Thanks. Just kind of wondering.

He’s the rain cloud at every non stainless steel parade. Some just really, really dislike non stainless steels.
I like Cru-wear myself, but I have given up hoping for more outside of very limited releases. I don’t know if it is a supply issue or a marketing issue, but other makers have even fewer models in Cru-wear.

[jpm2]

Not interested in Cruwear or, for that matter, in any other non-stainless blade steel.

That kind of surprises me. Do you live in a particularly humid/wet environment or are there other reasons that you prefer stainless? Thanks. Just kind of wondering.

Believe me, he is in the majority.
Unfortunately, most would prefer stainless butter knife steel to M4, K390, Maxamet, etc.

[TomAiello]

I spent some time last spring clearing trails, and dreaming of a machete in Cru-Wear. For a hard use (like machete) steel, I haven't seen anything else that competes.

[gmhauy]

Cruwear is quite stainless and more so than D2, CPMD2 or PSF27 in my experience.

I have yet to see Cruwear rust, pit or discolor and have used it for a lot of food prep, gardening (plant goo) and I even left it sitting in a glass of white vinegar for over two hours and nothing. I have seen more corrosion on supposed stainless steels including S30V.

I have seen CPM D2, D2 and PSF27 all staIn or discolor rather easily. I have also put CPM D2 in a glass of white vinegar and it turned very dark grey in about an hour.

The percent of chromium does not always tell the whole story. Carbon content is a factor too and D2 has more carbon.

Same here, I am using my Manix Cruwear to do a lot of food processing, including oranges every morning, and I have yet to see even the slightest trace of discoloration or staining.
Just cleaning the blade afterwards, sometimes with a dab of dish soap, rinsing with tap water and drying immediately. Very light maintenance, and I do not keep the blade protected at all. That has been going on for one year (indeed alternating with a few other knives) and it looks like new.
Great steel, easy to sharpen on the Sharpmaker and keeps a fine edge.

Gerard

[El Gato]

I would welcome more of the Signature Series offerings in a Cruwear option. Cruwear is a popular and proven blade steel and is a favorite of many here, including myself. I do not like or own, and will not buy, any of the stainless steels, (just a personal preference of mine), so Cruwear would be a welcome addition. I would love to see it in a Manix 2 or as a Sprint Run in the Chaparral series.

Dave

[Xplorer]

I too would welcome more Spyderco Cruwear options.
I carry and use my Cruwear Manix 2 at least twice a week, and I love it. After repeatedly cutting meats with BBQ sauce (vinegar) it developed an extremely faint (barely visible) shadow of a patina.
Recently I decided to make a few Cruwear knives and learn more about the steel. About 2 weeks ago I finished my first Cruwear knife that I heat treated to 63-64. OMG! The high hardness combined with the high Vanadium content makes a steel that is incredibly hard to grind and finish, post H/T. Lately, I've been making knives from 20CV more than anything else (usually HRC 62). This Cruwear blade ate ceramic belts so fast it made me think 20CV is "easy" to grind and finish. So fast in fact, I'll be hesitant to make make more Cruwear blades in the future. I love the result and the knife is awesome..but what a p.i.t.a.! If anything, I now have an even greater appreciation for my Spyderco-made Cruwear knives!

CK