K390 discontinuations?

[Canoecarter87]

It’s seems a lot of the k390 blades are getting discontinued. Is k390 getting phased out?

[sal]

Hi Canoecarter,

Welcome to our forum.

The K390 models that are being discontinued are generally because of the model, rather than the steel. We try to give our ELU's (End Like Users) the variety they ask for (steel and models combinations). When a model with K390 is in demand, we keep it around.

We've offered K390, REX-121 and Shawn Houston's "special" heat treat on 15V all in a small time frame. All steels not easily available in production models. There s a fair amount of discussion comparing these "super blade steels" to each other. We too are curious as to the conclusions?

sal

[Wartstein]

It’s seems a lot of the k390 blades are getting discontinued. Is k390 getting phased out?

Sadly for a large part it are the K390 SE options that got discontinued...I did not check, but I think none of the K390 Spydies will be produced with "teeth" anymore?

Might just be that grinding teeth into that superhard steels wears out the grinding wheels (too) fast...?
(Spydies in the supersteels Sal mentioned above (REX 121, 15V) did not offer SE in the first place).

[GT99]

Wish we could see some K390 on some of the more popular models like the PM2 (yeah I know the bento box, but exclusives are difficult to get in Canada) Military 2, Manix 2, Shaman, GB2 (this one makes perfect sense to me) Native 5, etc, hopefully all with G10 versions not just LW.

It was sad when they discontinued the k390 Wharncliffe versions of the endura/endela/delica too, glad I was able to grab one, hopefully the stretch 2 in k390 sticks around forever lol, that knife is still one of my favorites out of probably around 40 spyderco I own and generally FRN is my least favorite but the Seki models are the exceptions, maybe its the full liners but it actually "feels" different than the golden FRN, almost like you feel the nylon part where golden feels more like plastic.

[ejames13]

The wharny K390's are prob my favorite models. I have 3 each of the Endela and Delica - 2 users and 1 backup. Sad to see them go out of production.

[toml4185]

From what I have seen it has been mostly the SE models. I am glad I got a SE K390 Delica and it serves me well outdoors - I've used it to cut back ivy and it punches way above its weight. It's developed a very nice patina too.

[dan31]

I am puzzled by the lack of a K390 Native 5. Waiting for the 15V, but K390 in a Native 5 has been on the want list for some time.

[The Mastiff]

K390 is one of my favorite steels without doubt. If I needed a skinning knife or similar I'd have it made in K390. It's amazing in cutting and slicing and doesn't seem at all finicky about edge degree or sharpening final grit. It does well from 300-1000 grit ( my limits nowadays) and has not been chippy for such a high wear steel. I do work at keeping it from corroding here in the summer in my pocket so now that I have PD 1 also I have been resting it during July and august for pocket carry use. I have a couple K390 knives now but I would miss them if they left the lineup.

[Brock O Lee]

I'm a big fan of Seki's treatment of K390.

As mentioned, mostly serrated and wharncliffe blade shapes were discontinued, most likely due to poor sales. I used the opportunity to acquire backups...

[xceptnl]

Couldn't resist picking up some of the plain edge K390s before they disappear.
K390 Delica 4 and K390 Dragonfly 2 Wharnie incoming. Those Bento sales are hard to pass up. Still more I wanted to grab. Wish I still received birthday money as I know where I would spend it.
As Joe stated, K390 has become one of my favorite steels.

[JBoone]

I have 7 K390. All different models except for the endela which I have a regular and a wharnie. Big fan.

[Landshark99]

3 K390s for me, Leaf Jumper, Endela and PM 2

[capt.carl]

3 K390s for me, Leaf Jumper, Endela and PM 2

RIP leafjumper. My favorite k390

[Red Leader]

We've offered K390, REX-121 and Shawn Houston's "special" heat treat on 15V all in a small time frame. All steels not easily available in production models. There s a fair amount of discussion comparing these "super blade steels" to each other. We too are curious as to the conclusions?

sal

I, as well as many, many others, are incredibly appreciative of you and your team bringing these fantastic knife steels to the market. Thank you!!! Without Spyderco, how would we have exposure to any of them, really?

I will say, just about everywhere I turn, I find someone loving K390 on a Spyderco, including myself. I've been really enjoying my Lil' Temperance 3 and Leafjumper SE in K390 and hope that we continue to see more knives in this fantastic steel. I see we've got some CPM-S30V on some Seki knives. Any chance we could see some of that awesome Seki K390 on some Golden knives?

[xceptnl]

Any chance we could see some of that awesome Seki K390 on some Golden knives?

I suppose it is possible. The Bento exclusive Para 2 is a good example. Keep reminding myself to get one while they are still available.

[benben]

I have three, and all three get carried every week.

Endela.
Lil’ Temperance.
Leafjumper serrated, think I’m gonna pick up a backup while I still can, this one is my favorite!

[Malte]

I have three, Ladybug, Endela SE and a Stretch 2 PE. They are phenomenal. The Stretch 2 for me is even better than my PM2. Their outline is virtually identical, but the Stretch is much slimmer and cuts like a hot knife through butter, even it is hard cardboard.

[GarageBoy]

At least we have a full line up of seki models to chose from. Try chasing sprints for a taste of rex45

[xceptnl]

At least we have a full line up of seki models to chose from. Try chasing sprints for a taste of rex45

They are still available, with certain conditions. I rarely purchase with resale value in mind, and value is something I personally palace much emphasis on with knives, tools, gear, etc.

If you desire pristine, new in box sprints, they can still be found if your wallet is deep enough. This doesn't fit my collecting model but it may work for you.

I really like to be able to use my knives as they were intended and thus the first scratch, nick or bit of road rash hurts me a little. For this reason I love picking up less than carefully loved Spydies from auctions. They rank really high on the value scale and are basically 90-95% of their original capability. I grabbed a basically perfect Hap 40 Delica for almost $100 last week and months ago I found a real beater Rex45 PM2 for less than $150. It needed some love but the restoration affords a level of personal satisfaction for me. My favorite resto was a Caly Jr (burgundy) in ZDP that had seen better days. With only hand sanding and polishing, it came back to life and I would say it is in 90% condition now. So keep looking for the ones you want and don't be afraid to buy beaters.

[jwesley235]

FWIW KnifeCenter has Endela LW Wharncliffes in K390 for $127 today.