Would you buy a VG10 knife in 2022?

[Naperville]

Out of almost 100 knives I probably own 5 Chinese knives if that. If I wanted a Chinese knife there are plenty of Chinese brands. I'm not interested in Chinese knives and don't want to feed the Dragon.

Taiwan and Japan are fine.

[araneae]

VG-10 has never let me down, I have no reason I can see to stop buying it aside from increasing Japanese model prices. We have seen that the market has already voted that many G-10 models weren't enticing enough to stay in production.

At some point there is diminishing value and for some models we are probably approaching the cut off, but this has nothing to do with the steel itself. I am glad I already have enough Delicas and other Seki models to last me several lifetimes.

[SpyderNut]

I voted yes. I use VG-10 for my daily user. It takes a very good edge and it doesn’t take much to get it sharp again when it’s dull.

[MyelinSheath&Borborygmi]

My vote was Yes. Actually I am considering buying couple of new models to me in VG-10 this year, namely: Rockjumper, Endela and Dragonfly wharncliffe.

[Albertaboyscott]

Yup. Still plenty of room in the collection for less expensive knives. A lot better to take my endela vg10 to a construction site vs my shaman zwear. I won't cry nearly as hard if the endela gets lost

[cycleguy]

Seems like VG10 would be past tense with all the steel options out these days!

It works fine for me and my uses in the kitchen and as an everyday carry; and since I am a fan of the Seki family it is very likely I will be purchasing more knives in VG10.

I am trying other steels to see if something stands out in general or stands out as a dedicated work knife.

[JSumm]

I think another way to look at this would be to pose the question "Of these 15 steels Spyderco works with cost not being a factor, what would you choose?" VG-10 may find it self lower on that list. Now factor in pricing, availability, and models utilizing the steel, VG-10 creeps back up. I prefer Seki Lock backs. They dominate my rotation, so VG-10 often finds its way in my pocket. I think it is a great user steel that gets a nice edge. But if DLT was offering a Cruwear Endura in 2022 for $122, I would probably be carrying more of those.

[anycal]

For me, design first. At this point, with the variety of knives I have, it would have to be something very unique for me to pick up a base model. On the other hand, use some exotic materials on a knife, and I may consider getting one which wasn't on my radar before.

Perhaps that doesn't make me an ideal Spyderco customer, but that is who I am.

[ladybug93]

I think another way to look at this would be to pose the question "Of these 15 steels Spyderco works with cost not being a factor, what would you choose?" VG-10 may find it self lower on that list. Now factor in pricing, availability, and models utilizing the steel, VG-10 creeps back up. I prefer Seki Lock backs. They dominate my rotation, so VG-10 often finds its way in my pocket. I think it is a great user steel that gets a nice edge. But if DLT was offering a Cruwear Endura in 2022 for $122, I would probably be carrying more of those.

you bring up a good point. i don't mind vg10, but i actually prefer just about any lock to seki backlocks unless they are on salts. i'm not sure i can give a logical justification for that other than i just don't prefer backlocks for edc, but appreciate their simplicity in a salt knife. otherwise, if i want a backlock, i'd prefer a triad lock instead.

i would like a matriarch ii and would consider the stretch xl, but i'd also prefer them both as salts. that's not a fault of vg10 as much as it is my opinion of value combined with my ability to be picky about what i buy. i may eventually buy both of these knives in vg10 if that's all that's offered. spyderco doesn't seem at all interested in my continued pleas for the matriarch to be made in h1 (despite some very good points, imho), and it could be years before we see a stretch xl salt, if ever.

[MFlovejp]

Confession: I carry my VG10 Police 4 LW way more often than my K390 version. It’s easier to maintain and I just find myself more comfortable using it for all kinds of tasks in all kinds of conditions and weather. I will most definitely be picking up the new Stretch XL and I have zero issues with the steel it’s being released in.

[Kevinim82]

I just checked at knifesteelnerds.com...when Larrin uses a 1-10 scale, VG-10 gets 4 for toughness and 4.5 for edge retention (and 7.5 for resistance). Compare that to 440C which gets 3.5 - 4.5 - 7.5, very similar. In comparison S35VN gets a lot of yawns, but it pulls 5 - 5 - 7.5. SPY27 isn't listed in Larrin's one-to-ten list, but it's likely in the neighborhood of S35VN and S45VN.

Now if they came out with a powdered version of VG-10, I'm back on board.

Cough cough CPM SPY27, cough cough.

[JSumm]

I just checked at knifesteelnerds.com...when Larrin uses a 1-10 scale, VG-10 gets 4 for toughness and 4.5 for edge retention (and 7.5 for resistance). Compare that to 440C which gets 3.5 - 4.5 - 7.5, very similar. In comparison S35VN gets a lot of yawns, but it pulls 5 - 5 - 7.5. SPY27 isn't listed in Larrin's one-to-ten list, but it's likely in the neighborhood of S35VN and S45VN.

Now if they came out with a powdered version of VG-10, I'm back on board.

Cough cough CPM SPY27, cough cough.

Heck yeah! That's what I was thinking. Improved PM VG-10 with what appears to be around 61-62HRC I believe.

[Kevinim82]

@AHarbuck
Sorry to say but H1 in PE is an absolute no-go for me. Impossible to sharpen. Destroying the rods.

I would use LC200N in PE.

Just to warn you...

Is this sarcasm?

My H1 and the brown rods are BFF.

[cabfrank]

Of course I would. There may be steels I would prefer to try that I haven't had, but there is no reason not to buy one. It is a great knife steel.

[Kevinim82]

I just checked at knifesteelnerds.com...when Larrin uses a 1-10 scale, VG-10 gets 4 for toughness and 4.5 for edge retention (and 7.5 for resistance). Compare that to 440C which gets 3.5 - 4.5 - 7.5, very similar. In comparison S35VN gets a lot of yawns, but it pulls 5 - 5 - 7.5. SPY27 isn't listed in Larrin's one-to-ten list, but it's likely in the neighborhood of S35VN and S45VN.

Now if they came out with a powdered version of VG-10, I'm back on board.

Cough cough CPM SPY27, cough cough.

Heck yeah! That's what I was thinking. Improved PM VG-10 with what appears to be around 61-62HRC I believe.

If I am remembering correctly Sal used VG-10 as a frame work/structure to collaborate and make SPY27.

[JSumm]

I just checked at knifesteelnerds.com...when Larrin uses a 1-10 scale, VG-10 gets 4 for toughness and 4.5 for edge retention (and 7.5 for resistance). Compare that to 440C which gets 3.5 - 4.5 - 7.5, very similar. In comparison S35VN gets a lot of yawns, but it pulls 5 - 5 - 7.5. SPY27 isn't listed in Larrin's one-to-ten list, but it's likely in the neighborhood of S35VN and S45VN.

Now if they came out with a powdered version of VG-10, I'm back on board.

Cough cough CPM SPY27, cough cough.

Heck yeah! That's what I was thinking. Improved PM VG-10 with what appears to be around 61-62HRC I believe.

If I am remembering correctly Sal used VG-10 as a frame work/structure to collaborate and make SPY27.

Why yes he did. He mentioned on this forum and the literature you get with the knives in SPY27 discuss it as well.

[Kevinim82]

I have owned a VG-10 Shun for over 15 years. I love it’s response when cutting and how easy it is to sharpen. VG-10 is mighty fine for daily use. VG-10 isn’t the problem with purchasing new knives, it’s my wife who thinks this hobby is crazy!

[Spyder-fan]

I would definitely still buy a knife in VG-10. I have a limit on how much I would be willing to pay for one, but if the price was right I'd buy it.

[Tgmr05]

I am quite interested in the stretch xl. While I would really like to see it in s90v, Vg10 is ok by me. The stretch xl would also be a great fit for magnacut, if that could ever be worked out - lw linerless salt with more edge retention..

[jwbnyc]

First post, been lurking for a while.

This thread seemed like a good place to jump in. I’ve been thinking about the current situation in the knife community vis à vis steels and who likes what and why.

A bit of background: my first modern folder was a ClipIt Rescue, in AUS-8, with that extra long serrated tooth, on the tip, that broke off about the second time I dropped it. Later, I noticed the design had been changed to eliminate that extra long tooth: CQI in action. Btw, losing that bit of steel didn’t affect the knifes function one bit. That knife is still more than functional to this day, let’s call it Thirty Years. At least..

Fast forward to 1998 and my next folder, a Delica in ATS-55 SE: Still functional. It is one of the better knives I have for zipping through cardboard even now, something to do with the serrations wearing down a bit, possibly.

This will pain some people, but; the only sharpening done to either of these knives is that little flat bit on the tip of the Delica, and that was last month, when I noticed how very dull it had become.

Why do I bring all this up?

The design and quality construction, of those knives has kept them going in spite of the neglect I have showered upon them over the years. The only maintenance done to them has been to clean and oil them when the actions got a bit stiff. Once each. My personal opinion is that the steel chosen for an SE knife is almost irrelevant, given a reasonable choice to begin with.

To continue, during the 2000’s I dallied with a trio of Benchmade Griptilians: a 440C Mini (nice knife - until it got up and walked away from a job site) and a brace of Cabela’s D2 Griptilians: mini and full-size respectively, also nice knives.

No problems with D2, but I’d rather have stainless, overall.

So to the present day: I’ve upped my knife count. A combination of wanting something more in line with my current preferences, and indulging myself as I head into retirement.

I’ve settled on some Salt 2’s, as my work knives, in both H1 and LC200N, the H1 in both SE and PE, and an SE LC200N.. So, did I buy them for the steel?

No.

Well, yes and no. The SE, no. The PE, yes.

I want to see how horrible H1 PE is. I’m guessing, won’t know for sure for awhile, not that horrible.

Basically, I like the way the Salt 2 combines the features of both the Delica and the Rescue.

Having grown up when 440C was it, my perspective on steels, in general, is not in tune with the current knife afi consensus.

There are a lot of steels that I’m fine with that would not get a second look from a lot of people. That includes all the base steels Spyderco uses. They are all quality as far as I am concerned.

I don’t mind sharpening a knife. OTOH, I have no interest in knife sharpening systems. I freehand sharpen: ceramic, medium, fine, a bit of a strop, and I am done. No interest in anything more complicated than that. Just looking for a good working edge.

So, yes, if I can find a design I like in VG10, I’ll buy it. If it only comes in CTS-XHP ( The Chapparal - an absolute Sal Glesser masterpiece) I’ll buy it.

Just to say, I am not completely immune to the lure of exotic steel. I bought a Serrata just to check out Dendritic steel and a K390 Ladybug, because, well, K390.. And Magnacut seems like it is going to be something I will not be able to resist, depending on what design it turns up in.

Oh, and I’d also like to say, how much I really like the Seki City knives. They are fantastic designs. I’d hate to see them go away. The price is the price. If I needed, oh say, an Atlantic Salt, not saying I do, but if I did, I’d pony up the cash, no complaints.

Long post, thank you for reading, and thank you to all the forum members, and Spyderco, for putting together such a great resource for the knife community.

Back to lurking.