Maxamet vs CRUWEAR vs S110V

[kadinh]

Hello all

I know the “which steel” threads get old and I’m sorry. I’ve been researching the above steels and can’t seem to find a ton of information comparing them all. I’ve been out of the knife game for a while and I remember S90V being king.

Im looking to buy a PM2 and I only can find the S110V in stock, but I don’t love the handle color. There must be a reason it’s still available and the CW/MM are not.

I read somewhere that MM is about 30% more wear resistant than S110V but easier to sharpen. I read too that CW has about the edge retention of S30V, but a lot tougher.

Is it worth it to pay a premium for MM or CW, or will the S110V fit the bill best? Thanks in advance.

[The Meat man]

If corrosion resistance is important for you, you might want to go with S110V.

What kind of use will this knife be facing?

[kadinh]

Just EDC. I’m an IT guy so it can be breaking down boxes, cutting cat5/6 and zip ties, etc.

Right now my primary EDC is either a Sebenza or XM18. Corrosion resistance isn’t a huge issue; I have a GB1 in M4 that looks brand new. I’m basically just wanting the “latest and greatest” PM2.

[Sharp Guy]

Im looking to buy a PM2 and I only can find the S110V in stock, but I don’t love the handle color. There must be a reason it’s still available and the CW/MM are not.

Cruwear was a sprint run. Maxamet is supposed to be regular production but it's been sidelined (hopefully temporarily) due to production issues. S110V is regular production and, of your 3, is the only one you'll find readily available.

Which one fits the bill depends on what you value. If you value corrosion resistance and edge retention then go with S110V. I certainly don't mind S110V but I really like how easy it is to get Cruwear wicked sharp. I don't really need the toughness but Cruwear would be my choice. I haven't had a knife with Maxamet (yet) so I can't offer any help there. From what I've read it sounds great but I still think I'd choose Cruwear. I might have to pick up a Native 5 LW just to give Maxamet a try. It's a pricey steel though!

[Bdubs808]

At this time CW PM2s are going for over $200, sometimes $300( :eek: )
Maxamet is a fairly new release for the PM2 and is currently difficult to find in stock because of high demand. It is regular production like the S110V; when the "Blurple" PM2 was released I had a difficult time finding one in stock, now as you see they are readily available.
There is also the KnifeWorks Exclusive M4 PM2 that was just rereleased, it has carbon fiber scales and is a very sweet knife.
There is a Sprint run widely available still, it also has carbon fiber scales, but uses a non powdered steel: 52100

[kadinh]

Serious thanks for all the replies to this thread. I’m thinking CW and MM are at the top of my list right now.

KnifeWorks Exclusive M4 PM2 that was just rereleased, it has carbon fiber scales and is a very sweet knife.

How does M4 compare to CW/MM/s110v? It’s been a while since I’ve read up on it. I’m not going to pay $300 for a CW/MM blade; $200 for the M4 is the highest I think I’d be willing to pay. I might be able to get a like new s110v for $120, so that might influence my decision too.

[The Meat man]

A big factor also is how good you are/how much you enjoy sharpening.

Of the three steels you mention I only own Maxamet. So far, I've found it's edge retention to be amazing, while being pretty tough as well. (As in, chopping-wood-and-carving-hard-plastic-without-chipping tough) And with a 40° microbevel, I haven't had any problems with touching up on the Sharpmaker. BUT I'm not really looking forward to reprofiling it. I reprofiled my CPM M4 Advocate recently, freehand on a cheap Smith stone set, and it took me several hours of painstaking work. I think for the Maxamet I'm going to buy an Edge Pro.

You had better enjoy sharpening, and be good at it, if you go with CPM S110v or Maxamet.

[Ankerson]

Just EDC. I’m an IT guy so it can be breaking down boxes, cutting cat5/6 and zip ties, etc.

Right now my primary EDC is either a Sebenza or XM18. Corrosion resistance isn’t a huge issue; I have a GB1 in M4 that looks brand new. I’m basically just wanting the “latest and greatest” PM2.

For that you can't go wrong with S110V for your uses.

I tested and used all 3 steels, CW is OK, so it comes down to MAXAMET or S110V.

In actual use I doubt you will see the difference in the 2 overall.

In my testing MAXAMET beat S110V on rope, but S110V killed it in the cardboard testing.

Experiences may vary however depending on the variables.

[bdblue]

They are 3 different steels. For the average person S110V had the best combination of properties, or maybe Cruwear. (S110V assuming you have the proper tools for sharpening.) If you don't have the proper tools for sharpening then you are probably better off with Cruwear or S30V, or S35VN. Maxamet is somewhat specialized- good edge retention for cutting but poor corrosion resistance and hard to sharpen.

[kadinh]

A big factor also is how good you are/how much you enjoy sharpening.

I have a sharpmaker and a wicked edge. I’m not the best freehand sharpener, but the tools help a lot.

For that you can't go wrong with S110V for your uses.

I tested and used all 3 steels, CW is OK, so it comes down to MAXAMET or S110V.

In actual use I doubt you will see the difference in the 2 overall.

In my testing MAXAMET beat S110V on rope, but S110V killed it in the cardboard testing.

Experiences may vary however depending on the variables.

Thank you very much for your reply. I value your opinion since you actually have real world experience with the steels. Where do you put M4 vs s110v?

[Ankerson]

A big factor also is how good you are/how much you enjoy sharpening.

I have a sharpmaker and a wicked edge. I’m not the best freehand sharpener, but the tools help a lot.

For that you can't go wrong with S110V for your uses.

I tested and used all 3 steels, CW is OK, so it comes down to MAXAMET or S110V.

In actual use I doubt you will see the difference in the 2 overall.

In my testing MAXAMET beat S110V on rope, but S110V killed it in the cardboard testing.

Experiences may vary however depending on the variables.

Thank you very much for your reply. I value your opinion since you actually have real world experience with the steels. Where do you put M4 vs s110v?

S110V will give more edge retention than M4 and by a good amount.

[Chumango]

In relative terms:

Toughness Cruwear>M4>S110V>Maxamet

Abrasion resistance S110V~Maxamet (depending on media cut)>M4>Cruwear

Corrosion resistance S110V>>Cruwear>M4>Maxamet

[SF Native]

M4 is awesome. Similar to cruwear. I really like it.
Personally, all of these steels are really good. If you need corrosion resistance, go with s110v or even s30v. If you don’t, the cruwear or m4 is great. Not sure I would spend a whole lot more from one to the next. That’s what makes the s110v or even s30v really tempting. They are really good and you don’t pay a premium to get them.

[kadinh]

If it was just up to the looks, I think I would get the M4 because I like the carbon fiber handle. But it looks like S110V has M4 beat in every category. I’m just not loving the burple G10.....

I don’t really need super corrosion resistance since my Gayle Bradley has been great. I like to try different steels and feel like since I already have the M4 on the GB, I would be wasting an opportunity (does that make sense?).

I know the obvious answer is “get both”, but that’s not a big priority now. My main budget is going towards a new iPad Pro when they come out later this year.

[foofie]

Since you have the GB, it does make sense to pass on the M4 pm2.
Cruwear and Maxamet are both great in their own ways, but it sounds like the premium you pay may be a deal breaker? If that's the case, would probably say the m390 is not going to be worth it for you either.

I am a big fan of s110v. That said - if you don't like the blurple - have you considered the plain 'ole s30v? Comes in black or camo, and should do well with your IT needs (don't know about cutting cat 5/6 cable though). Definitely not the most drool-worthy, but perhaps the most suited to your current needs?

Personally, my answer would be s110v pm2 with custom after-market scales.

[kadinh]

Personally, my answer would be s110v pm2 with custom after-market scales.

That is actually a great idea. I might look into that too :)

[kadinh]

S110V will give more edge retention than M4 and by a good amount.

So out of M4, S110V, MAXAMET, and Cruwear, you would hands down recommend the S110V?

[Igi964]

S110V anytime, anywhere. It's very, very good at edge retention, also very stainless. Best steel I tried for many years. I'm using it every day for the last 18 months. Easy to maintain edge with Sharpmaker. Few minutes once a month and You're ready to go. Personally I love the unique blue G10.

[Bdubs808]

Easy to maintain edge with Sharpmaker. Few minutes once a month and You're ready to go.

+1, maintenance is key. Don't let the edge completely dull, just hone now and again with brown triangles on SM.

[Camhabib]

If you had to go with just one, probably S110V. If you had a few blades already, and wanted something to compliment / new, Maxamet would be my choice for edge retention, Cru-Wear would be for toughness. They’re each going to have some downsides, but you also can’t go wrong with any of them. That said, S110V is really the only one you’re going to be able to get your hands on easily.