Blade Choice for a Spyderco Paramilitary 2: CPM-S30V vs CPM-S110V?

[ThomVal]

Hi everyone,

I’m currently comparing the two versions of the Paramilitary 2,. one in CPM-S30V and the other in CPM-S110V.

I already have a good amount of experience with S30V, but I’m wondering if the S110V is really worth the price difference in terms of edge retention. and ease of sharpening.


Have any of you tested . both over the long term? I’m particularly curious about how the S110V performs with more aggressive sharpening angles.

Thanks in advance for your insights!

[Clay H]

Go with S110V. Worth it. I got mine from Freedom Knife Shop for around $180. The Military 2 S110V is even cheaper at $177.

[Jimandchris2]

Both steels can take aggressive edge angles, but S30V tends to perform better when you go thin, as it’s less prone to micro-chipping. S110V can handle aggressive angles for light-to-moderate tasks, but if you're planning on putting it through harder use, a more conservative angle (around 20 degrees per side) is a safer bet for me and my "limited experience"
It depends on your needs. If you’re looking for a “use it and forget it” blade for long cutting sessions with minimal maintenance, the S110V is worth the premium. However, if ease of sharpening, versatility, and toughness are more important, you might find that S30V strikes the better balance for everyday use.
Let us know which one you go with and how it performs for you.

[Gamecock]

I have one in S110V, and if I were you I would go with S30V. The 110 chips too easily for me in general use farm type tasks. It’s also harder to sharpen, which doesn’t really bother me, but the S30V is so easy to get a super sharp edge that is much more durable, that I would go that way.

[RazorSharp86]

I think Spyderco’s S30V is extremely underrated.
Although s110v is a higher wear steel, the Paramilitary is an allarounder, and I think that s110v doesn’t off the toughness this type of knife lends itself to.

[ThomVal]

Thank you for your answers!
I will therefore be interested in the S110V.

[aicolainen]

I have not yet tried S110V so I’m talking out my a** on this topic, but I’ve asked myself the same question many times while trying to decide on which version of the Military Model, so I’m experienced in that regard.

I think S30V is sometimes overlooked just because it’s the base steel for many models. Like mentioned above, Spyderco does S30V very well - so it’s a very good base steel.

Personally I don’t really need the edge retention offered by S110V, it’s the added corrosion resistance that keep it the mix for me. And the fact that I haven’t tried S110V pickles my curiosity. But if I’m being honest with myself, I think S30V will be a better choice for me. And if S110V wasn’t an option I wouldn’t have given much thought to S30V possibly lacking in corrosion resistance for the intended use.

Good luck with your choice. Hopefully your more resolute than myself, I still haven’t got my Military Model.

[barnaclesonaboat]

Both steels obviously have their strong points, but I'm another vote for S110V. Yes, it is high HRC and with a high carbide %, so indeed sharpening requires CBN/diamonds and will take a little longer than S30V, regardless of how you do it. But to echo others - the performance is worth it.

I have an S110V PM2 that I keep at around 26-28 degrees inclusive, and the performance has been excellent. My first edge or two were a little chippy, but the last edge I put on there has performed for a very long time with just 3um diamond emulsion stropping on rare occasion to bring back the bite. Edge geometry and user skill/tasks will have a lot to do with how well you like any steel, but if it wasn't obvious: the more prying/twisting/scraping motions you do with a blade, the more obtuse your angle should be and the less time you should expect to have a lasting edge. If you're at all careful to not apply lateral forces to your edge, I think you'll be very, very impressed with how long S110V edges last. I have an S110V Manix 2 with a 34 degree inclusive edge and it feels extraordinarily difficult to dull with my normal use, even though I don't carry it a whole lot. I'll consider reporting back in a few years when I finally need to sharpen it.

I don't have an S30V PM2, but I do have that steel in a Shaman and a Kapara. Excellent steel, again, but not as long-cutting in my experience. At the end of the day, the PM2 is so well designed in a general one-size-fits-most way that you'll probably be enamored with whichever version you get - enjoy!

[Evil D]

Wildly different steels here...I mean there's a 80V difference!


But yeah seriously they're very different steels in how they sharpen and perform. My experience is that neither one is particularly tough, so chips are most likely a certainty unless you're a very light user. The question really is how good are you at sharpening, do you have the stones etc to repair chips in a harder and higher wear resistant steel? Do you abuse your knives? Scrape on stuff use them as a screwdriver bang them on staples in boxes etc?

If sharpening isn't a concern, then you're going to get significantly more edge retention with 110, but also at the cost of a less forgiving steel if you do all the above shenanigans. Sharpening and edge repair will take more time even if you do have good stones but it's not the end of the world.

I'd choose 110 in almost every situation if I had the choice.

I also will say, I'd choose the MagnaCut version over both, even considering that it'll have less edge retention than 110.

[vivi]

I EDC a DLC S30V Military 2 and I love the steel performance. Holds an edge well, sharpens up well, and DLC S30V is close to salt levels corrosion resistance.

I've got nothing against S110V, but DLC S30V is a great every day carry steel.

[Brock O Lee]

I'd go with S110V, since you are curious about it, and already have S30V.

[Bearcat1]

I can't believe this answer did not come up sooner, but I am afraid you will have to get both.

[cabfrank]

I'm a believer in balanced and more easily sharpened steels, so if I wanted another PM2 in one of those two steels I would choose S30V.

[Albertaboyscott]

I like s110 and have s few knives with it.
Buy it.
You know you will anyway

[benben]

Between S30V and S110V, I’d definitely choose…..a Crucarta PM2!

[bdblue]

I didn't see this brought up yet but S110V is significantly harder to sharpen. It is a good choice IF you have proper sharpening equipment.

[Wandering_About]

I like S110V. With the right abrasives (diamond or CBN) and good skills, it's much less difficult to sharpen than the internet makes it out, at least to me. It can do well thin, but it depends much on how you use a knife. If you're the kind that's "hard on everything" it's probably not the best choice. For a slicer, it works quite well.

[Bill1170]

Lots of good answers already. I chuckled at the “buy them both” advice. Enablers, am I right?

I’d get the S110V myself. It’s a fine and different sort of alloy and using/maintaining it will further your edge-u-cation. I find my Manix in S110V loses its shaving edge quickly but keeps a good working edge for a very long time.

[Albertaboyscott]

I like S110V. With the right abrasives (diamond or CBN) and good skills, it's much less difficult to sharpen than the internet makes it out, at least to me. It can do well thin, but it depends much on how you use a knife. If you're the kind that's "hard on everything" it's probably not the best choice. For a slicer, it works quite well.

Awesome edge!

[cjk]

In the currently available PM2s for sale, I'd buy Cruwear or Spy27.
I'd take S30V over S110V.
S30V models are less expensive, easier to sharpen, and less likely to break when I drop the knife. I sometimes drop things.