Lots of discussion of one of my favorite steels - Cruwear, but I also really like 4V and those are much harder to come by
Are you interested in 4V and if so, in what models?
I would really like a Military in 4V... nothing against St. Nick's, who have been the only 4V game in town, but not a fan of red scales. So any earthtone G10 scale and 4V (DLC preferred but either way) blade, please. But St. Nick's - if you order up an exclusive with your usual color combo, I'll try my best to get one (missed the Shaman).
My first impressions of 4v on the st. Nick's lil' native have been good, at least it's easy to sharpen and seems tough. I haven't put the st. Nick's shaman to really hard use yet, though, so as it is I need more time with it. But in general I like tough non-stainless steels, and I'd be happy to see 4v in other options. 3v, too.
- Julia
"Be excellent to each other." - Bill S. Preston, Esq.
I'm in! I don't have much CPM 4V - only 2.4" to be exact - but I really like what I have. It holds its edge very well and is super responsive with sharpening.
- Connor
"What is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?"
I'm in! I don't have much CPM 4V - only 2.4" to be exact - but I really like what I have. It holds its edge very well and is super responsive with sharpening.
Ah, hahaha! You need a Province, Connor!
I'd be in for a satin blade Military, but can't help thinking 4V is likely best suited to a hard use fixed blade. :)
A day without laughter is a day wasted. ~ Charlie Chaplin
I have the 3 St. Nicks models. They have the size ranges I like pretty much covered. So I don't really need any more 4V but it would be nice if others could get the opportunity to try it. I've only touched mine up on the Sharpmaker but I really like the edge it takes.
Of all the things I've lost I miss my mind the most!
Yep, I'd wager that St. Nick's is going to follow BHQ and just keep churning these out since they have a winning combo that sells out in under a minute. I'd expect to see a PM2 soon, and then probably Military, Para 3 LW, Manix, Native, etc. I'd like to see them go a little off script with some different models like the Chap LW, Native LW, Manix LW, Manix XL, SE Dodo, and others than don't get as much love.
i'm with you though. If some other dealer wants to use 4V with satin/earth tone in some of these other models I won't complain.
Given the hype around the micarta shaman, I think a dealer would be wise to start a line of exclusives with 4V with some color Micarta (denim or OD Green would be my top two choices).
CRU-CARTA THE SEKI MODELS! AND BRING US THE DODO-FLY!
I'm really looking forward to more 4v. I really want St Nicks to do a Manix exclusive. A military would be a must have as well. XL Manix in 4v would be pretty sweet too.
Yep, I'd wager that St. Nick's is going to follow BHQ and just keep churning these out since they have a winning combo that sells out in under a minute. I'd expect to see a PM2 soon, and then probably Military, Para 3 LW, Manix, Native, etc. I'd like to see them go a little off script with some different models like the Chap LW, Native LW, Manix LW, Manix XL, SE Dodo, and others than don't get as much love.
i'm with you though. If some other dealer wants to use 4V with satin/earth tone in some of these other models I won't complain.
Given the hype around the micarta shaman, I think a dealer would be wise to start a line of exclusives with 4V with some color Micarta (denim or OD Green would be my top two choices).
I'd get pretty excited about a 4v manix with denim micarta. KC seems willing to do some "alternative" scales with their hap40/pakkawood exclusives (and maybe the rosewood/rex45 shaman??), so maybe it's time to start a petition!
Edit: come to think of it, a rosewood/rex45 manix would make me pretty happy, too.
- Julia
"Be excellent to each other." - Bill S. Preston, Esq.
Anything 4V or k390 is excellent. Spyderco runs both at about 65 HRC which is outstanding for a production folder (or fixed blade). Excellent sharpening response, tough, strong, and stable.
I haven't done any testing, but spyderco's 4V should noticeably outperform their cruwear in edge retention, strength, and apex stability. Even sharpenability and toughness (2 big strengths of cruwear) would be close. If 4V was magically stainless, it would be close to my favorite steel.
Anything 4V or k390 is excellent. Spyderco runs both at about 65 HRC which is outstanding for a production folder (or fixed blade). Excellent sharpening response, tough, strong, and stable.
I haven't done any testing, but spyderco's 4V should noticeably outperform their cruwear in edge retention, strength, and apex stability. Even sharpenability and toughness (2 big strengths of cruwear) would be close. If 4V was magically stainless, it would be close to my favorite steel.
On the lil' native I've actually found 4v to be a bit easier to de-burr than cruwear, but maybe my lack of skill in sharpening plays a role there. Or maybe the blade size/thickness is a factor. I'll have a better sense once I do a full sharpening on the shaman.
- Julia
"Be excellent to each other." - Bill S. Preston, Esq.
CRU-CARTA THE SEKI MODELS! 
