Why CPM 3V

[Gears_QQQ]

Interesting. A friend, a big collector and knife enthusiast, said that spyderco's heat treatment is not unique. It's just good quality, without trying to extract the maximum potential from the steel.

[Gears_QQQ]

Ahh, my kind of thread. Love it.

I had several Carothers, and currently have 1. I also commissioned a 3V fixed blade bowie from Nic Groniger (small US custom knife maker) and couldn't be more pleased:




3V is a phenomenal steel that I believe could benefit from the extra time and effort to optimize, similar to 15V. Either Shawn Houston or Nathan Carothers would be an excellent choice to help develop it. Or perhaps Shawn AND Nathan? The ultimate Spyderco collaboration? Could be quite an amazing thing.

I've searched high and low for a folding knife in 3V, and a lot of those searches end back at Demko designs, so that will probably be a route that I go, but I will be eagerly awaiting Spyderco's re-entry into 3V, and potentially, even working w/ Larrin and whichever foundry will be making this steel, to tweak the recipe to perhaps throw in a little Niobium. I believe there is a lot of room for 3V to grow, either in composition or in heat treat, or both. In Larrin's re-testing of 3V, it was found to be even better than first believed.

While I do believe something in Spyderco's folding repertoire should be offered in this amazing steel; a Bodacious would be AMAZING. I can understand the draw to a fixed blade, though. If that is where we start, that is fine. First, let's get a Mule going, and then I would love to see a 3V version of this:

I was trying to look for knives on 15V and found a couple of maxace. Should I look at this manufacturer?

[Evil D]

My answer these days is always going to be "make it in a Bodacious" and I know I'm a broken record but it's a stout enough beater capable design but is also thinner than a Shaman and a better slicer so it's a good all around design for a hard use knife.

[Red Leader]

Ahh, my kind of thread. Love it.

I had several Carothers, and currently have 1. I also commissioned a 3V fixed blade bowie from Nic Groniger (small US custom knife maker) and couldn't be more pleased:




3V is a phenomenal steel that I believe could benefit from the extra time and effort to optimize, similar to 15V. Either Shawn Houston or Nathan Carothers would be an excellent choice to help develop it. Or perhaps Shawn AND Nathan? The ultimate Spyderco collaboration? Could be quite an amazing thing.

I've searched high and low for a folding knife in 3V, and a lot of those searches end back at Demko designs, so that will probably be a route that I go, but I will be eagerly awaiting Spyderco's re-entry into 3V, and potentially, even working w/ Larrin and whichever foundry will be making this steel, to tweak the recipe to perhaps throw in a little Niobium. I believe there is a lot of room for 3V to grow, either in composition or in heat treat, or both. In Larrin's re-testing of 3V, it was found to be even better than first believed.

While I do believe something in Spyderco's folding repertoire should be offered in this amazing steel; a Bodacious would be AMAZING. I can understand the draw to a fixed blade, though. If that is where we start, that is fine. First, let's get a Mule going, and then I would love to see a 3V version of this:

I was trying to look for knives on 15V and found a couple of maxace. Should I look at this manufacturer?

Don’t know a ton about Maxace and don’t have any experience with them so I couldn’t say, unfortunately.

[VandymanG]

@sal just checking again on the chances of getting a Spyderco folder or fixed blade knife with CPM 3V steel? Would be great to know so I can decide on getting one through Spyderco or another company.

[gk4ever2]

I was trying to look for knives on 15V and found a couple of maxace. Should I look at this manufacturer?

I would not - according to Google AI, all Maxace knives are made in China. I doubt that any 15V steel made it to China.

Also from Google AI:
Based on current available product listings, no, Maxace Knives are not made with 15V steel. The search results highlight 15V (a high-vanadium, non-stainless tool steel) primarily in limited sprint runs from Spyderco, rather than in Maxace's production models. Maxace typically utilizes premium, more common, or stainless powders like M390, K110, or other advanced alloys.
• 15V is a very niche, high-cost, and notoriously difficult steel to work with, mainly used in specific, limited runs (e.g., Spyderco's 15V sprints).
• Maxace focuses heavily on high-end production folders often using Titanium and high-end stainless steels, not the ultra-rare 15V powder metallurgy steel.

[Red Leader]

So just checking on the chances of getting a Spyderco folder or fixed blade knife with CPM 3V steel? Would be great to know so I can decide on getting one through Spyderco or another company.

I would also really appreciate Spyderco putting some energy behind this steel. It is ultra strong and I'm betting could be wonderful in a super thin slicer configuration. The strength is there, and the geometry could help make up for less wear resistance compared to the 'ultra' steels that might otherwise be uncomfortably brittle in the same thin geometry.

While there might not be many large/small production options (Carothers and Cold Steel come to mind), there probably some sizable offerings from the custom market.

The 3V bowie commissioned from Groniger was a custom one-off, a smaller version of one of his existing designs, and is the only one I am aware of. I couldn't find a single flaw on it and I strongly recommend reaching out to him if you feel like going custom. Extremely reasonable, and the quality is absolute top shelf.

[VandymanG]

So just checking on the chances of getting a Spyderco folder or fixed blade knife with CPM 3V steel? Would be great to know so I can decide on getting one through Spyderco or another company.

I would also really appreciate Spyderco putting some energy behind this steel. It is ultra strong and I'm betting could be wonderful in a super thin slicer configuration. The strength is there, and the geometry could help make up for less wear resistance compared to the 'ultra' steels that might otherwise be uncomfortably brittle in the same thin geometry.

While there might not be many large/small production options (Carothers and Cold Steel come to mind), there probably some sizable offerings from the custom market.

The 3V bowie commissioned from Groniger was a custom one-off, a smaller version of one of his existing designs, and is the only one I am aware of. I couldn't find a single flaw on it and I strongly recommend reaching out to him if you feel like going custom. Extremely reasonable, and the quality is absolute top shelf.

I almost picked up a cold steel mini Pendleton but the place that had them near me sold out. Been watching Carothers but haven’t been able to snag one. I’m consider the Demko AD 20.5 Slicer but thought I’d try one last time to see if Spyderco has any plans for a 3V knife.

[horzuff]

...

I was trying to look for knives on 15V and found a couple of maxace. Should I look at this manufacturer?

What models in 15V did You find from Maxace? They are a good brand, really high quality and some interesting designs but I never saw them use 15V. Some Vanadis, plenty of M390, MagnaCut, ZDP189 san mai and plenty others but no 15V from what I recall. The steels always test correctly (check some of luvthemknives batch tests, he had a couple XRF'd)

[Red Leader]

So just checking on the chances of getting a Spyderco folder or fixed blade knife with CPM 3V steel? Would be great to know so I can decide on getting one through Spyderco or another company.

I would also really appreciate Spyderco putting some energy behind this steel. It is ultra strong and I'm betting could be wonderful in a super thin slicer configuration. The strength is there, and the geometry could help make up for less wear resistance compared to the 'ultra' steels that might otherwise be uncomfortably brittle in the same thin geometry.

While there might not be many large/small production options (Carothers and Cold Steel come to mind), there probably some sizable offerings from the custom market.

The 3V bowie commissioned from Groniger was a custom one-off, a smaller version of one of his existing designs, and is the only one I am aware of. I couldn't find a single flaw on it and I strongly recommend reaching out to him if you feel like going custom. Extremely reasonable, and the quality is absolute top shelf.

I almost picked up a cold steel mini Pendleton but the place that had them near me sold out. Been watching Carothers but haven’t been able to snag one. I’m consider the Demko AD 20.5 Slicer but thought I’d try one last time to see if Spyderco has any plans for a 3V knife.

Carothers are nice. They are pricey. You are supporting a small American operation so price becomes a little more flexible. I got my BFK when they were a bit more affordable.


If price is any concern, the AK47 field knife (Cold Steel) offers a nearly indistinguishable performance for about 1/3 the cost, but the handle is definitely love/hate and modding it might improve it greatly.


I also looked at Demko, but the geometry seems to be a bit of a miss with that knife in 3V. I don’t think it will have anywhere close to the same cutting performance if you are acclimated to Spyderco performance. I am still tempted by it, though.


Out of all those options, maybe peruse what Groniger offers online and see if anything speaks to you - I cannot recommend him enough.

[Naperville]

Just chatting.

NOW WITH 3V!

I see from charts that I have AEBL, CTS BD1 and 3V are a bit better overall than 8Cr13Mov.

Spyderco knows customer sentiment and whether or not customers for cheaper knives are super price sensitive. I have never priced sheets of steel and do not know the cost differences in manufacturing with 8Cr13Mov vs 3V, so in fact I DO NOT KNOW WHAT I AM ASKING. I am talking to knife-makers like @sal. I have no idea the size or cost of a typical Spyderco order for 8Cr13Mov. What if suddenly all of the 8Cr13Mov orders were 3V orders?

What if Spyderco replaced all of their 8Cr13Mov knives with 3V? What are the benefits of replacing 8Cr13Mov with 3V across the board?

- TCC is almost 100 cards more with 3V over 8Cr13Mov, so the basic folder would stay sharper longer and be much tougher.
- By buying 3V in bulk for knives currently in 8Cr13Mov, 3V should be cheaper, but would it be a game changer and move the needle on sales?
- How much would the price of an 8Cr13Mov knife jump if replaced with 3V when 3V were bought in bulk? $25ea? $50ea?
- How often do 8Cr13Mov knives break compared to 3V?

[Wowbagger]

Sorry I have not read all the posts in this thread yet .
Maybe this one has already been posted .
I am all about 3V in a folder ! ! !
Why ?
It allows the blade to be thinner yet strong enough (in other words ; probably won't snap off near the pivot ) .

Here is an example of one of mine .
Oh look ! The crazy guy (me) ground it down to HALF AS THICK as the original and some how it still is able to cut stuff and holds up .
Compare the 3mm thickness at the unground / stock thickness at the blade jimpping to the rest of the spine of the blade where it is 1.5mm .
and see I do have a Micarta or two . This one's Coarse Burlap or some such . Nice looking .

[electro-static]

So just checking on the chances of getting a Spyderco folder or fixed blade knife with CPM 3V steel? Would be great to know so I can decide on getting one through Spyderco or another company.

I would also really appreciate Spyderco putting some energy behind this steel. It is ultra strong and I'm betting could be wonderful in a super thin slicer configuration. The strength is there, and the geometry could help make up for less wear resistance compared to the 'ultra' steels that might otherwise be uncomfortably brittle in the same thin geometry.

While there might not be many large/small production options (Carothers and Cold Steel come to mind), there probably some sizable offerings from the custom market.

The 3V bowie commissioned from Groniger was a custom one-off, a smaller version of one of his existing designs, and is the only one I am aware of. I couldn't find a single flaw on it and I strongly recommend reaching out to him if you feel like going custom. Extremely reasonable, and the quality is absolute top shelf.

I almost picked up a cold steel mini Pendleton but the place that had them near me sold out. Been watching Carothers but haven’t been able to snag one. I’m consider the Demko AD 20.5 Slicer but thought I’d try one last time to see if Spyderco has any plans for a 3V knife.

I have a mini pendelton, it really is a nicely designed little knife.

[shunsui]

A lot of people mentioned they thought it was hard to purchase a Carothers knive. I've purchased three field knives (3V, Cruwear, Magnacut) in the last two months, each time 7 hours after the sales started. Next sale is this Friday.

https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/the ... t-23395830

[Red Leader]

A lot of people mentioned they thought it was hard to purchase a Carothers knive. I've purchased three field knives (3V, Cruwear, Magnacut) in the last two months, each time 7 hours after the sales started. Next sale is this Friday.

https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/the ... t-23395830

Yeah, it's not too bad if you are locked in and paying attention. Some go way quicker than others.

Interesting story -

I was the one who sent a BFK to Joe X for destruction. His primary deal was testing the limits of fixed blade knives both on the merits of steel, design, and execution. He had dozens and dozens of knife tests under his belt, including some pretty high end knives, Busse, Fallkniven and others, and many people for a long time had constantly been gushing about Carothers, and since I had an extra, I thought, 'why not?'

After that destruction test (where it did roughly the same as the AK47 Field Knife in 3V), Nathan stepped up the challenge and made a 'super' BFK that was like 1/4" thick and just sent it to him. The knife did pass the ultimate test (the iron rod), after suffering a broken tip from probably the most abusive tip test he had ever done on a single blade (hammered into a stump and throwing huge granite blocks at the knife). After that, Nathan sent him a large chopper in 3V, which Joe X did not destroy and has kept as a gift/memento from the whole saga. I really appreciate Nathan's graciousness and good sporting attitude throughout the ordeal, as I'm sure it was stressful. I think he came away with a great respect for the type of effort that this testing demands. Also sent him some cut-resistance gear for Joe which was also a very kind gesture. I understand that the theatrics are not to everyone's taste, but the lessons learned from this collection of testing is innumerable. It's like Sal says 'you have to exceed the limit to know where the limit is'

After all that, I still stand very impressed with what 3V is able to do.

[shunsui]

Yeah, it's not too bad if you are locked in and paying attention. Some go way quicker than others.

They do.

The Light Choppers will go very fast, but the Field Knives should be there for awhile. Not the worse knife you could buy.

[vivi]

is there any other way to buy?

[dsvirsky]

is there any other way to buy?

I don't know if this holds true, but Nathan used to exhibit at Blade Show in Atlanta. There are also some knives currently available on his website, but nothing in 3V.

[vivi]

Thanks. I'll keep tabs on their website. I would like to try his 3V at some point - I've heard great things about it.

[Synov]

Thanks. I'll keep tabs on their website. I would like to try his 3V at some point - I've heard great things about it.

There is a pre-order for the skinner model on Friday at 5pm EST. No need to be fast, you just have to post in the thread on Bladeforums to get one.