What is your favorite high Carbon non stainless steel?

[Red Leader]

3V can do anything.

If Spyderco ever make something else in it I'd be happy to try it out but it's slim pickings unless you go outside of the brand.

I sort of wonder if 3V gets passed over a lot because 1) It is primarily used in fixed blades and 2) the only folders really using it probably don't have a great heat treat and are silly thick.

I think most of the potential of 3V, or even 3V Mod, is untapped. I'd be really curious what happens to it, and to it's edge, when pushed to the very end of the performance envelope - thin geometry, higher hardness, optimized heat treat recipe...it could do some wonderful things.

Right now it is being judged for primarily what it can do in less-than-ideal applications. Imagine what it could do if someone really took the same time with it that was done with 15V.

[BeggarSo]

I admit I dont know much about 3V other than stuff I read here years ago there was a guy here who used a kangaroo as his picture who had a Spyderco knife and he chipped it on some bone doing some tests. I am pretty sure it was 3V I know it was a fixed blade Spyderco.

I remember thinking well so much for 3V.

[Danke]

I think the Tuff was the only 3V but if I'm wrong someone will be here quick to correct me.

[Synov]

I think the Tuff was the only 3V but if I'm wrong someone will be here quick to correct me.

Correct, that's the only one. There is no Spyderco fixed blade made of 3V. And I highly doubt the Tuff would chip on bone.

[Danke]

Maybe Wolverine's Adamantium skeleton would give it pause.

[Wartstein]

Aren't HAP40 and REX45 pretty much the same thing?

Just from what I read (I am no expert myself by any means) they are indeed.. except that some say that HAP40 can´t be run as hard as REX45 potentially can, cause the former is cladded with SUS410... just parroting here though.
Anyway, I enjoy both very much. Actually my favorite steel(s) overall for PE! (Stainless or non stainless)

[BeggarSo]

Maybe Wolverine's Adamantium skeleton would give it pause.

Nah the actual formula starts with CR8

[BeggarSo]

Aren't HAP40 and REX45 pretty much the same thing?

Just from what I read (I am no expert myself by any means) they are indeed.. except that some say that HAP40 can´t be run as hard as REX45 potentially can, cause the former is cladded with SUS410... just parroting here though.
Anyway, I enjoy both very much. Actually my favorite steel(s) overall for PE! (Stainless or non stainless)

Oh thats right my HAP40 Delica Wharncliffe does have that stamped on the blade. I didn't know all HAP40 was clad. Thanks.

[Danke]

Aren't HAP40 and REX45 pretty much the same thing?

Just from what I read (I am no expert myself by any means) they are indeed.. except that some say that HAP40 can´t be run as hard as REX45 potentially can, cause the former is cladded with SUS410... just parroting here though.
Anyway, I enjoy both very much. Actually my favorite steel(s) overall for PE! (Stainless or non stainless)

Many steels are sold under different names like Rex 45 being sold as Hitachi HAP40 or Erasteel 2030.

Source

https://knifesteelnerds.com/2018/11/26/ ... etention2/

[vivi]

3V for general purpose fixed blades.

S7 for high impact tools like choppers.

A2 at a high hardness is a severely underrated steel too. Outclassed by 3V but more expensive too. I'd like to see a 61-62rc A2 Mule.

[RustyIron]

K390 is easy to give a spectacular edge, and it holds up well to normal use and minor abuse.

15V seems to be close to K390. I need to give it more time to decide which I like better. It doesn't patinate as readily, so that's a plus.

[Wartstein]

Oh thats right my HAP40 Delica Wharncliffe does have that stamped on the blade. I didn't know all HAP40 was clad. Thanks.

I don´t know either if this is really always the case... Just all Spyderco HAP40 blades are cladded, and the few other HAP40 (kitchen-) knives I happen to know of are too.

[Danke]

I think you'll find all the folding Hap40 knives (and all the carbon steel versions) from that maker in Japan will be clad.

[BeggarSo]

What do you all think about REX121?

[Wowbagger]

3V some what near it's full potential ?
I don't even come close to getting this crazy but I remember this vid from way back in the day .
be sure to watch as far as the telephone / power pole .(less than half of vid length) .
Sorry if violating rules .
There was another one where they take a thickish custom knife and using small sledge hammer / blacksmith's hammer the guy cuts off a length of 1/4 inch mild steel plate while plate is clamped vertically in a giant vise . . .a strip a few inched long !
then
are you ready ?
They clamp the knife in a power rack (for weight lifting) and hang a couple or three hundred pounds off the end of the handle . Bends way over ; does not snap off .

[Danke]

What do you all think about REX121?

Love it

[RustyIron]

3V some what near it's full potential ?

That's the most ridiculous thing I've seen today...
and I had to watch every second.
Motörhead made it even cooler.

[Wowbagger]

What do you all think about REX121?

I bow down to it ! ! !
It is kind of on the opposite end of the scale from 3V ; can snap it off no problem but would probably shave curls off a decently heat treated 3V blade . . . it certainly cuts glass bottles !

I . . . (and I am not lying , exaggerating or trying to build myself up ) . . . ENJOYED my first try at reprofiling and sharpening it to polished / whittling edge .

WITH DIAMONDS it was a breeze / much easier than I expected .
Incredible what Spyderco has done with REX 121 ! ! !
and on the first try !

If you like high wear alloys , if you are used to using diamond sharpening media : YOU MUST TRY IT !

[BeggarSo]

I have moved away from diamond media, Spyderco's Gauntlet with CBN rods changed my prefferences when they came out.

I dont know why CBN works the way it does I just know I like the results.

Yes some can sharpen with a brick thos folks are exceptional for sure, I ain't one of em.

Hmm looking up REX121

[BeggarSo]

Was the sage 5 the only REX121 knife made? I dont see any other spyderco models.