An S90V or 15V

[Bouddha77]

Hello all,

I am considering aquiring a new Spyderco Model Native 5 and was hesitating between an upcoming 15V and an S90V.

The way I uderstand it is that toughness is about equal and edge retention, 15V may win but not by much.

One relatively big advantage of S90V would be that it would be much better corrosion resistant, thus I am still not sure what would be best.

Price of course is important, but I am not sure to really understand the technical advantages of 15V over S90V ?

Your thoughts?

rgds

[Deadboxhero]

Hello all,

I am considering aquiring a new Spyderco Model Native 5 and was hesitating between an upcoming 15V and an S90V.

The way I uderstand it is that toughness is about equal and edge retention, 15V may win but not by much.

One relatively big advantage of S90V would be that it would be much better corrosion resistant, thus I am still not sure what would be best.

Price of course is important, but I am not sure to really understand the technical advantages of 15V over S90V ?

Your thoughts?

rgds

If corrosion resistance is important then just get the S90V.

If you find considerable enjoyment in edge stability, sharpenability and edge retention than you will enjoy what 15V brings to the table despite the lack of corrosion resistance.

[Bouddha77]

Hello all,

I am considering aquiring a new Spyderco Model Native 5 and was hesitating between an upcoming 15V and an S90V.

The way I uderstand it is that toughness is about equal and edge retention, 15V may win but not by much.

One relatively big advantage of S90V would be that it would be much better corrosion resistant, thus I am still not sure what would be best.

Price of course is important, but I am not sure to really understand the technical advantages of 15V over S90V ?

Your thoughts?

rgds

If corrosion resistance is important then just get the S90V.

If you find considerable enjoyment in edge stability, sharpenability and edge retention than you will enjoy what 15V brings to the table despite the lack of corrosion resistance.

Thank you for your response.
Can you educate me in regards of the term "edge stability" ? What is the difference with toughness and what does 15V offer in that regards that S90V lacks?

[Deadboxhero]

Thank you for your response.
Can you educate me in regards of the term "edge stability" ?

The term edge stability was coined by Roman Landes and made popular in his German book "Messerklingen und Stahl" in 2006.


The book is not in English and needs to be translated but it explores many concepts such as the role of carbide sizes and heat damage at the edge, etc.




The meaning of edge stability among knife edge nerds is a steel that has a tendency to neither roll or chip which is the "grail" so to speak in performance.

It is highly desirable to have a cutting knife that has a high performance cutting edge that neither rolls or chips appreciably in use.

What is the difference with toughness and what does 15V offer in that regards that S90V lacks?

15V will have higher stability and sharpenability than S90V.

[Bouddha77]

Thank you so much for all the insights given.

Would BBB 15V tend to more chip or roll under impact ?

How much does the heat treatment of BBB improves (if it does?) the toughness of 15V ?
On larrin Webpage, he rates it just below 5 ft-lbs which should be very similar than M390.

rgds

[Deadboxhero]

Thank you so much for all the insights given.

Would BBB 15V tend to more chip or roll under impact ?

No, good question though.

However, it might be difficult to generate impact forces with a folding knife and swinging a folding knife like an axe might not be what a folding knife is designed for.

Do you have a specific use in mind?

How much does the heat treatment of BBB improves (if it does?) the toughness of 15V ?
On larrin Webpage, he rates it just below 5 ft-lbs which should be very similar than M390.

rgds

It improves the edge stability, sharpness and sharpenability over the industrial heat treatment.

This can translate an improvement in real world edge retention.


We might be getting too into the weeds here. I think either one will make an excellent knife for you to enjoy.

[Bouddha77]

Thank you so much for all the insights given.

Would BBB 15V tend to more chip or roll under impact ?

No, good question though.

However, it might be difficult to generate impact forces with a folding knife and swinging a folding knife like an axe might not be what a folding knife is designed for.

Do you have a specific use in mind?

How much does the heat treatment of BBB improves (if it does?) the toughness of 15V ?
On larrin Webpage, he rates it just below 5 ft-lbs which should be very similar than M390.

rgds

It improves the edge stability, sharpness and sharpenability over the industrial heat treatment.

This can translate an improvement in real world edge retention.


We might be getting too into the weeds here. I think either one will make an excellent knife for you to enjoy.

There is no "axe" use intent and more "normal" activities with a folding knife with cardboard, rope, wood, small plastics, etc.... I would typically tend to prefer a knife with a steel that would not roll or chip, reason why i.e. I would prefer S35vn instead of Maxamet (just as an example) as I dont intend eather to be too carefull the way the knife is used.... I understand that in that case one may say just use Magnacut but wanted something with better edge retention but neither something that would just chip or roll on the first hard wood it sees..... :-)
In terms of rust, I do not leave by the sea so it may at some point see some snow, but I dont consider knives I currently own such as Cruwear to be any problem.... just a little then and now ballistol and wiping the blade after use is perfectly fine.

Not sure this explanation makes sense.

rgds

[Deadboxhero]

Thank you so much for all the insights given.

Would BBB 15V tend to more chip or roll under impact ?

No, good question though.

However, it might be difficult to generate impact forces with a folding knife and swinging a folding knife like an axe might not be what a folding knife is designed for.

Do you have a specific use in mind?

How much does the heat treatment of BBB improves (if it does?) the toughness of 15V ?
On larrin Webpage, he rates it just below 5 ft-lbs which should be very similar than M390.

rgds

It improves the edge stability, sharpness and sharpenability over the industrial heat treatment.

This can translate an improvement in real world edge retention.


We might be getting too into the weeds here. I think either one will make an excellent knife for you to enjoy.

There is no "axe" use intent and more "normal" activities with a folding knife with cardboard, rope, wood, small plastics, etc.... I would typically tend to prefer a knife with a steel that would not roll or chip, reason why i.e. I would prefer S35vn instead of Maxamet (just as an example) as I dont intend eather to be too carefull the way the knife is used.... I understand that in that case one may say just use Magnacut but wanted something with better edge retention but neither something that would just chip or roll on the first hard wood it sees..... :-)
In terms of rust, I do not leave by the sea so it may at some point see some snow, but I dont consider knives I currently own such as Cruwear to be any problem.... just a little then and now ballistol and wiping the blade after use is perfectly fine.

Not sure this explanation makes sense.

rgds

Excellent, You would certainly enjoy the 15V.

Cheers

[JSumm]

Great explanation! Thanks Shawn!

[DKRS1978]

Only at spyderco can you ask a question and get the answer straight from the man who designed the steel for the product!
Not only an answer, but thorough and well delivered explanation.
Awesome.