Spyderco Forums

blues wrote: ↑

Tue May 05, 2020 7:54 am

Since I think the Military should be a tough knife, and not just one capable of slicing, I've leaned toward hoping for 3V, 4V, or Cru-Wear to carry the day.

Given the results of Larrin and Shawn's testing, I think Cru-Wear may be the best choice for the combination of toughness, edge holding and corrosion resistance. Unless I'm missing the mark, no other steel in the test has the same balance of properties. Ease of sharpening is also a factor,

Of course, if you think a Military should simply be the best slicing knife, without regard for toughness, then you will obviously draw a different conclusion.

4V would probably be next in line in my view, though I still have a weakness for 3V due to having had a utility blade made of it by Ed Schott for many years.

In the end, any Military is a good Military, but those are my reasons for preferring to put toughness toward the front of the list of characteristics I'd want to see in such a knife.

blues wrote: ↑

Tue May 05, 2020 7:54 am

Since I think the Military should be a tough knife, and not just one capable of slicing, I've leaned toward hoping for 3V, 4V, or Cru-Wear to carry the day.

Given the results of Larrin and Shawn's testing, I think Cru-Wear may be the best choice for the combination of toughness, edge holding and corrosion resistance. Unless I'm missing the mark, no other steel in the test has the same balance of properties. Ease of sharpening is also a factor,

Of course, if you think a Military should simply be the best slicing knife, without regard for toughness, then you will obviously draw a different conclusion.

4V would probably be next in line in my view, though I still have a weakness for 3V due to having had a utility blade made of it by Ed Schott for many years.

In the end, any Military is a good Military, but those are my reasons for preferring to put toughness toward the front of the list of characteristics I'd want to see in such a knife.

jdw wrote: ↑

Tue May 05, 2020 8:56 am

I have really been curious about the differences between the two. 3V seems a lot more common in production but 4V has all of the current love. I wonder what the discernible differences could be?

blues wrote: ↑

Tue May 05, 2020 9:20 am

jdw wrote: ↑

Tue May 05, 2020 8:56 am

I have really been curious about the differences between the two. 3V seems a lot more common in production but 4V has all of the current love. I wonder what the discernible differences could be?

3V appears to be the tougher steel but lags 4V in edge holding.



Take a look at this link: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/ ... edit#gid=0

3V @ 60 Rc cut 463 mm of the medium

4V @ 63 Rc cut 538 mm of the medium

Cru-Wear @ 62 Rc cut 528 mm of the medium

So, 4V has a very slight edge over Cru-Wear in the cutting, but is less tough and less corrosion resistant. (Which is why I am leaning toward Cru-Wear.)

3V is tougher than both, but is about 14% behind 4V in cutting performance.


Takeaway, is that Cru-Wear is a nice balance of performance, toughness and corrosion resistance. I see little reason, per this test, to opt for 4V over it except for curiosity's sake, since I don't own any knives with it.

And 3V is the choice for maximum toughness...but many feel that is unnecessary in a folder. I still like it a lot but I only have a small fixed blade with the steel.

TkoK83Spy wrote: ↑

Sun May 10, 2020 7:03 am

blues wrote: ↑

Tue May 05, 2020 9:20 am

jdw wrote: ↑

Tue May 05, 2020 8:56 am

I have really been curious about the differences between the two. 3V seems a lot more common in production but 4V has all of the current love. I wonder what the discernible differences could be?

3V appears to be the tougher steel but lags 4V in edge holding.



Take a look at this link: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/ ... edit#gid=0

3V @ 60 Rc cut 463 mm of the medium

4V @ 63 Rc cut 538 mm of the medium

Cru-Wear @ 62 Rc cut 528 mm of the medium

So, 4V has a very slight edge over Cru-Wear in the cutting, but is less tough and less corrosion resistant. (Which is why I am leaning toward Cru-Wear.)

3V is tougher than both, but is about 14% behind 4V in cutting performance.


Takeaway, is that Cru-Wear is a nice balance of performance, toughness and corrosion resistance. I see little reason, per this test, to opt for 4V over it except for curiosity's sake, since I don't own any knives with it.

And 3V is the choice for maximum toughness...but many feel that is unnecessary in a folder. I still like it a lot but I only have a small fixed blade with the steel.

I know you've been following my weekly use tests/review thread, I honestly found Cruwear not to be much better in use than S30V. I've found 4V to be about equal at the top with Rex45 thus far. 4V held an edge way better and received no rolling at all, where my Cruwear Shaman did. Composition aside, that's just what I personally experienced.

I plan on carrying my Cruwear Manix this coming week, to try and give Cruwear another fair shake and hope I can see what many people find so great about this steel. I found Cruwear to be quite underwhelming in the Shaman, compared to the 4V Shaman. Manix will be the perfect platform for this comparison as my top 2 are my Manix/Rex45 and Manix/4V.

5-by-5 wrote: ↑

Tue May 05, 2020 11:43 am

My first Mili became a S90V blade swap. Perfection!



My second Mili was a bad *** mod S90V



S90V rocks. Have always been a fan!

blues wrote: ↑

Sun Apr 26, 2020 11:18 am

Be proud! Be loud!

Taking a cue from my heroes Spanky and Alfalfa, thought it time to raise our collective voices (once again) and beg, demand, cajole and wheedle the powers that be until there is light at the end of the tunnel. Except we will happily allow women into the club should they deign to be seen with us.

Personally, I'd like to see one or more in 4V so I can add it to the group and check out the hoopla for myself, but I'd happily embrace others as well.
(3V, 10V, K390, and other high end steels always welcome...)

A strong Military presence. It's the patriotic thing to do.

Let 'em hear from us. If we grow our numbers, our collective strength will carry the day. :cool: