The future of S30V ?

The Mastiff · #1

A couple of questions.

Please note this is not a complaint about S30V's performance as I consider it one of the best all around steels. I'm speaking more along the lines of will it maintain it's somewhat dominant position in premium knives, Super premium being steels like S90V, are a different class and not directly competing so we will leave those out for now.

1) Will S30V maintain it's position as one of if not the dominant steels in premium production knives or will it get overtaken in sales ( not performance) ?

2) Will you keep buying S30V knives as new model knives come out or is there a limit of how many you want in S30V, or any 1 other steel for that matter.

I see a larger number of high performance steels available already, and believe there are more coming.

I just want to know your opinions. Please remember we are not talking about entry level knives, or super premium knives.

3) How about VG10?

Joe

Ankerson · #2

Yep, I like S30V and plan on using it and getting knives in it for awhile.

I EDC S30V most of the time (Umnumzaan) and also use it at work rotating between S90V, XHP and S30V.

It will take something like M390/ELMAX or K294/K390 to take it out of my pocket.

ELMAX is what S30V should have been from the start IMO.

Evil D · #3

All it takes is another affordable, readily available American steel to replace it. I think if nothing else there will be a next generation (maybe S35VN?) of this steel to take its place. I'm currently to the point with it that i've seen all i can see and i'm ready for something new. It's not a horrible steel, it's sort of like driving the same car for 10 years, it's reliable and does the job but you just want something new and exciting.

chuck_roxas45 · #4

Yes, I'll keep buying knives in s30v as long as I like the knives and as long as it's still the go to steel of most production knives.

Ankerson · #5

Evil D wrote:All it takes is another affordable, readily available American steel to replace it. I think if nothing else there will be a next generation (maybe S35VN?) of this steel to take its place. I'm currently to the point with it that i've seen all i can see and i'm ready for something new. It's not a horrible steel, it's sort of like driving the same car for 10 years, it's reliable and does the job but you just want something new and exciting.

S35VN just ain't it IMO, S30V is just a better steel.

Maybe Carpenters vers of S30V will take it's place if the replacement has to be a US steel.

If not then ELMAX could replace S30V across the board, much, much better steel all the way around and in every way one could think of than S35VN and S30V.

Slash · #6

In my pocket sporting glow scales on my first mainix 2...hopefully when it arrives next week some time that is.

bchan · #7

Interesting thread. I think S30V should be able to retain its position for a while. No doubt there are better steels, but if these are to take over S30V's dominant position they better can be produced in large quantities at a comparable price point. Under the present economic climate people tend to be more price-sensitive than before.

Evil D · #8

Ankerson wrote:S35VN just ain't it IMO, S30V is just a better steel.

Maybe Carpenters vers of S30V will take it's place if the replacement has to be a US steel.

If not then ELMAX could replace S30V across the board, much, much better steel all the way around and in every way one could think of than S35VN and S30V.

I only said American steel because i'm thinking about Golden knives. I think the only reason i'm bored with S30V is because i don't have any sprints like you guys have. I pretty much have 3 steels to play with, S30V/VG10/ZDP. I really like ZDP but it doesn't come in the knives i love to carry the most, same with VG10.

Anyway, i don't see it going AWAY, ever. Look at steels like the 440s that have been around forever that are still coming out in new knives everyday.

The Deacon · #9

Joe, I could be totally wrong, but I think Spyderco's decision to experiment with other steels on a more regular basis was driven more by concern that Crucible might go under than by any dissatisfaction with S30V.

As for me, the issue is more one of an extremely limited selection of Golden made midlocks than steel. S30V is fine by me but so is S35V.

Sequimite · #10

In my own limited experience I prefer other steels to S30V because I've had chipping with S30V unlike other knife steels I've used regularly: VG-10, ZDP-189, 52100, M-4, Super Blue, BG-42, N690, GIN-1. I still buy designs I like in S30V.

The Mastiff · #11

I look at the number of knives in S30V and say " Do I really need another"? Than I see a knife like the Yojimbo 2 and think..." Yeah, maybe one more".

Paul, I don't see any need to replace it personally. I think Sal just keeps us happy trying new steels. It would be a tough act to follow anyway. S30V has good performance and is a great balance of attributes. Until that's beaten by something comparably priced why change? It's the same with VG10. I'm very satisfied with it.

I'm just curious.

Thanks !

Joe

HotSoup · #12

Ehh.

Its more than knife MODEL than knife STEEL for me.

I consider the Spyderco Military the greatest folding knife of all time (yes, of ALL TIME :D )

If they made a Military with another steel as regular production, I'd probably still buy it.

I think S30V is a fine steel. Would buy again!

bh49 · #13

HotSoup wrote: Its more than knife MODEL than knife STEEL for me.

+1
The same here. S30V/VG10 are sufficient to satisfy my needs. I look at overall design first and only than on steel. Also I believe that there are quite a few knifenut like me. Will it dominate in premium knives? Who can know the future. What is impossible today, like make Elmax for half of S30V price, may be will be possible tomorrow. May be in 10 years steel or any metal alloy will be obsolete as a blade material. Could you imagine 25 years ago (pre-digital camera world) that kodak film will be obsoleted?

SolidState · #14

I like S30V for most anything I use a knife for. That said, I had few complaints about AUS-8, so maybe I'm just not too worried about it.

BAL · #15

The steel is only one of the variables that I look at when picking another knife. The knife model and design probably makes more of a difference to me as long as the steel is one of the higher quality steels. I haven't really had any issues with any steel in any spyderco knife including 8Cr13MoV.

enduraguy · #16

Well as long as we never go back to AUS8, I think I'll not worry.

Popsickle · #17

we talked about this breifly in spyderco chat..... I see sometime in the near future s30v being overtaken by another steel with all the great stuff coming out. Elmax would be a great replacement, but for the time being s30v is a great steel and i will continue to use it. Can't wait to see what changes will arise in the near future though!

phillipsted · #18

The Mastiff wrote:It would be a tough act to follow anyway. S30V has good performance and is a great balance of attributes. Until that's beaten by something comparably priced why change? It's the same with VG10. I'm very satisfied with it.

I agree, Joe. It was just a short time ago that S30V was being touted as a "super steel" that hit the right balance of characteristics that made it almost the ultimate cutlery steel. Before that, VG-10 was the bee's knees.

But the floor keeps getting raised. S90v, CTS-20CP, M390 - onward and upward!

That is what is so exciting about the Mule project - we have an affordable way to hold the next 440C, VG-10, or S30V in our hands before it hits the mainstream...

TedP

Zenith · #19

I like S30V and think it is a good steel. However, I am surprised there is not more CPM-154 in knives as I feel it provides good balance for new knife people. Many people new to knives will struggle with D2, S30V to get it sharp and call it a crappy steel. They will really struggle with S90V etc.

I sometimes wonder, yes we are on the forums and learn a lot about steels, but how much of the product is sold to people that just want a knife and don't even care about the steel. Therefore getting a steel with good balance is important. I don't think S30V will be going anywhere soon. Still good. Maybe in future we will look back at S30V like we do now at 440C?

Evil D · #20

Zenith wrote:I like S30V and think it is a good steel. However, I am surprised there is not more CPM-154 in knives as I feel it provides good balance for new knife people. Many people new to knives will struggle with D2, S30V to get it sharp and call it a crappy steel. They will really struggle with S90V etc.

I sometimes wonder, yes we are on the forums and learn a lot about steels, but how much of the product is sold to people that just want a knife and don't even care about the steel. Therefore getting a steel with good balance is important. I don't think S30V will be going anywhere soon. Still good. Maybe in future we will look back at S30V like we do now at 440C?

You have a good point. Now that i think about it, i doubt a steel like S90V will ever become as common as 440 or VG10 simply because it takes a bit more work/knowledge to sharpen, and as you said i'm sure the vast majority of knife buyers simply won't put that much effort into it. Then again, i also see Spyderco as a sort of niche brand being bought more so by people who are interested in the finer details of knives, since you can't stroll down to Walmart and buy a Caly 3.5 Super Blue, and unless you're a knife nut and keep up with this stuff online or through a magazine, you may not even know a knife like that exists. So, if you think about it, the fact that these high end knives sell out when the sprints come out might be a good sign that at least for Spyderco there might be a future with these steels being a bit more common. Heck i've only been on the forum a year and a half and when i joined i would have never expected to see a Ladybug in ZDP..