Will s30v be replaced entirely in the lineup?

[S-3 ranch]

S30v is fine , boring as heck as every dog on the block is using it, ( even buck knife is offering S30v in >$100 knives and S35v in < $100 ones,
After seeing some of y’all’s post about the hyper expensive knives that are rust buckets ( Rex45)
(M390 & s110) I am definitely sticking to stuff that isn’t drawer/safe queen likely, but would welcome any - S35v-spy27 -s45v changes
A stretch 2 In spy27 would be awesome ( hint hint)

[vivi]

S30v is fine , boring as heck as every dog on the block is using it, ( even buck knife is offering S30v in >$100 knives and S35v in < $100 ones,
After seeing some of y’all’s post about the hyper expensive knives that are rust buckets ( Rex45)
(M390 & s110) I am definitely sticking to stuff that isn’t drawer/safe queen likely, but would welcome any - S35v-spy27 -s45v changes
A stretch 2 In spy27 would be awesome ( hint hint)

Spyderco once offered it in a $40 US made knife (Native 1) and Buck in a $20 US made knife (Hartsook neck knife)

[JohnDoe99]

People are spoiled. I am impressed that S30V has been reduced to 420hc status. S110V too has been forgotten, amazingly.

[Gtscotty]

S30v is fine , boring as heck as every dog on the block is using it, ( even buck knife is offering S30v in >$100 knives and S35v in < $100 ones,
After seeing some of y’all’s post about the hyper expensive knives that are rust buckets ( Rex45)
(M390 & s110) I am definitely sticking to stuff that isn’t drawer/safe queen likely, but would welcome any - S35v-spy27 -s45v changes
A stretch 2 In spy27 would be awesome ( hint hint)

? M390 and S110V are very, very rust resistant.

[Ric]

2021 is their 45th anniversary.

That might be a reason for that change.

[Abyss_Fish]

2021 is their 45th anniversary.

That might be a reason for that change.

Ooh didn’t know that, we better keep an eye out for special stuff in the reveal.

[00max00]

Better don't do it. S30V > S45VN > S35VN. It's all marketing, you gain nothing from "upgrading". It's either S30V or S90V for me.

[Paraguy]

I doubt it. Not in the next few years. S30v is still a great "premium" steel in most peoples eyes. (like almost every knife company except Spyderco). I think they're gonna want to milk the cow dry. S30v is cheap and abundant compared to other steels and in most peoples perception s30v is still the fancy "new steel." Also if it ain't broke don't fix it. (Maybe just make it cheaper as other companies start using newer steels.)

[Paraguy]

S30v is fine , boring as heck as every dog on the block is using it, ( even buck knife is offering S30v in >$100 knives and S35v in < $100 ones,
After seeing some of y’all’s post about the hyper expensive knives that are rust buckets ( Rex45)
(M390 & s110) I am definitely sticking to stuff that isn’t drawer/safe queen likely, but would welcome any - S35v-spy27 -s45v changes
A stretch 2 In spy27 would be awesome ( hint hint)

I think buck offers some of the cheapest properly heat treated knives in s30v. Vantage pro and Spit fire. I own a Vantage pro. I wanted to get a spit fire a while ago cus i thought they looked cool and it was cheap.

[Paraguy]

:D maybe upgrade to s35vn

[Doc Dan]

S30V is a great all around steel and it outperforms a lot of "better" steels. See Larrin's write up. I have never had any chipping issues. I've cussed it a couple of times reprofiling it, but it is otherwise awesome.

[Evil D]

S30v is fine , boring as heck as every dog on the block is using it, ( even buck knife is offering S30v in >$100 knives and S35v in < $100 ones,
After seeing some of y’all’s post about the hyper expensive knives that are rust buckets ( Rex45)
(M390 & s110) I am definitely sticking to stuff that isn’t drawer/safe queen likely, but would welcome any - S35v-spy27 -s45v changes
A stretch 2 In spy27 would be awesome ( hint hint)

To be fair I wouldn't say those steels are "rust buckets", it just depends on you and your environment. I grew up with 1095 and if I have no other choice I can get by just fine with non stainless steels and in a weird way I actually like the challenge and relationship you build with having to care for those steels and keep them clean. I think the vast majority of people don't have the issues I've had with rust, and if you do they're fairly easy to control with a little care. The same level of care you put in to keep 1095 clean will essentially make S90V completely rust proof.

[Evil D]

S30V is a great all around steel and it outperforms a lot of "better" steels. See Larrin's write up. I have never had any chipping issues. I've cussed it a couple of times reprofiling it, but it is otherwise awesome.

This is what most people overlook in this subject. Spyderco wouldn't have to look very hard if all they wanted was a steel that holds an edge better, but their knives cater to a larger market than just AFI's and they need a steel that is well rounded. I'm sure there's a cost factor involved too, how much they can get the steel for and what machining costs are. If the next best steel up the ladder costs more to buy and more to machine and it isn't a drastic improvement, the end result is higher priced knives and then everyone is upset about cost. I think this is where Spy27 may come in, since it's proprietary maybe Spyderco will get it at a lower cost, but even then the debate about whether or not it's actually better will still come. MagnaCut is possibly a decade away from being so prevalent that it replaces lesser steels. If it was that easy we wouldn't even be talking about S30V or VG10 after being in the market as long as they have been.

[awa54]

I welcome a replacement of S30V, but only if the new steel has both better edge stability and ease of attaining a truly excellent fine edge.

S30V isn't junk, just not in line with what I prefer in a general use steel. So if S45V and SPY27 don't make meaningful improvements in both of those categories, I'm not interested...

I'm always a bit baffled by people who have never had chipping in this steel, I certainly have experienced both micro (can feel it running a fingernail down the edge) and visible chipping on factory edges and fully reprofiled edges. I don't abuse my knives, but I do cut and carve hard materials regularly.

[dj moonbat]

It should be. Wear resistance fetishists can do better in the 20CV or S90/S110V steels, and those who want a balanced steel will have Magnacut. Only unless you think S30V was the Goldilocks steel, striking exactly the correct balance of attributes, would you keep demanding it.

[Doc Dan]

S30V is a great all around steel and it outperforms a lot of "better" steels. See Larrin's write up. I have never had any chipping issues. I've cussed it a couple of times reprofiling it, but it is otherwise awesome.

This is what most people overlook in this subject. Spyderco wouldn't have to look very hard if all they wanted was a steel that holds an edge better, but their knives cater to a larger market than just AFI's and they need a steel that is well rounded. I'm sure there's a cost factor involved too, how much they can get the steel for and what machining costs are. If the next best steel up the ladder costs more to buy and more to machine and it isn't a drastic improvement, the end result is higher priced knives and then everyone is upset about cost. I think this is where Spy27 may come in, since it's proprietary maybe Spyderco will get it at a lower cost, but even then the debate about whether or not it's actually better will still come. MagnaCut is possibly a decade away from being so prevalent that it replaces lesser steels. If it was that easy we wouldn't even be talking about S30V or VG10 after being in the market as long as they have been.

Cost of machining is something a lot of people do not think about. Buck transitioned away from 440C to 425M and then to 420HC because each was successively easier to blank and then machine. Victorinox uses 4110 (I seem to remember) because they can stamp out the blades very cheaply. This keeps the cost down. Companies do not have to replace belts and etc. as often, they can produce more blades faster and cheaper, thus keeping the cost down. If Spyderco were to go to X steel then it would be more costly. It is not only the cost of the steel, but the cost of machining and making the blades.

[JRinFL]

S30V is a great all around steel and it outperforms a lot of "better" steels. See Larrin's write up. I have never had any chipping issues. I've cussed it a couple of times reprofiling it, but it is otherwise awesome.

This is what most people overlook in this subject. Spyderco wouldn't have to look very hard if all they wanted was a steel that holds an edge better, but their knives cater to a larger market than just AFI's and they need a steel that is well rounded. I'm sure there's a cost factor involved too, how much they can get the steel for and what machining costs are. If the next best steel up the ladder costs more to buy and more to machine and it isn't a drastic improvement, the end result is higher priced knives and then everyone is upset about cost. I think this is where Spy27 may come in, since it's proprietary maybe Spyderco will get it at a lower cost, but even then the debate about whether or not it's actually better will still come. MagnaCut is possibly a decade away from being so prevalent that it replaces lesser steels. If it was that easy we wouldn't even be talking about S30V or VG10 after being in the market as long as they have been.

Cost of machining is something a lot of people do not think about. Buck transitioned away from 440C to 425M and then to 420HC because each was successively easier to blank and then machine. Victorinox uses 4110 (I seem to remember) because they can stamp out the blades very cheaply. This keeps the cost down. Companies do not have to replace belts and etc. as often, they can produce more blades faster and cheaper, thus keeping the cost down. If Spyderco were to go to X steel then it would be more costly. It is not only the cost of the steel, but the cost of machining and making the blades.

S35VN & now S45VN were primarily introduced to make it easier for knife manufacturers, not end users. At least from what I gather.

[JRinFL]

I doubt S30V would have gained the traction it did if it were not for Chris Reeves involvement. That's just my opinion.

I also find it interesting that the legion of S30V fans come out in posts like this, but when a new knife is released in s30V, it often languishes. Based on the vocal supporters, you'd think any S30V knife would always be a top seller.

My bias is toward more balanced steels that may not have the same edge holding of S30V, but are better in other areas.

[Paraguy]

S30v is fine , boring as heck as every dog on the block is using it, ( even buck knife is offering S30v in >$100 knives and S35v in < $100 ones,
After seeing some of y’all’s post about the hyper expensive knives that are rust buckets ( Rex45)
(M390 & s110) I am definitely sticking to stuff that isn’t drawer/safe queen likely, but would welcome any - S35v-spy27 -s45v changes
A stretch 2 In spy27 would be awesome ( hint hint)

To be fair I wouldn't say those steels are "rust buckets", it just depends on you and your environment. I grew up with 1095 and if I have no other choice I can get by just fine with non stainless steels and in a weird way I actually like the challenge and relationship you build with having to care for those steels and keep them clean. I think the vast majority of people don't have the issues I've had with rust, and if you do they're fairly easy to control with a little care. The same level of care you put in to keep 1095 clean will essentially make S90V completely rust proof.

100% Agreed.

[Paraguy]

I welcome a replacement of S30V, but only if the new steel has both better edge stability and ease of attaining a truly excellent fine edge.

S30V isn't junk, just not in line with what I prefer in a general use steel. So if S45V and SPY27 don't make meaningful improvements in both of those categories, I'm not interested...

I'm always a bit baffled by people who have never had chipping in this steel, I certainly have experienced both micro (can feel it running a fingernail down the edge) and visible chipping on factory edges and fully reprofiled edges. I don't abuse my knives, but I do cut and carve hard materials regularly.

This is interesting. My first knife in s30v the buck Vantage pro (heat treated by Paul Bos) actually rolled on me in one spot. At first glance it looks like a BIG chip but it is in actuality a roll. Its still there too because I lost the knife before I could fix it and still can't find it to this day. I think Spyderco's s30v in particular chippy. However it still stays at a good working edge for a long time and in some instances I find the micro chips to aid in cutting certain materials.