Spyderco Forums

I thought m390 was similar to cts 204p. What's k390? So many steel choices, I cannot keep up

K390 is a great steel. I have an Urban in it (had one confiscated by security at a tourist site in Italy last summer and had to buy a replacement) as well as a PW custom, and I've been very impressed with it.

K390 is non-stainless and holds an edge very, very well. The only thing I've personally carried that holds a better edge than K390 is Maxamet, and even then it's pretty close. I find K390 slightly easier to sharpen, and also personally have an easier time getting the K390 to be "super sharp" than the Maxamet, but the Maxamet always seems to stay sharp the longest for me.

There's a free knife steel app you can put on your smartphone if (like me) you get curious about new steels and want some basic information on them.

Here's that app: https://play.google.com/store/apps/deta ... hmob&hl=en

I have it on iPhone, but I don't have time to find the link right now--have to get my kids to school.

Thanks a lot, Tom. I am on the verge of coughing up the 240 bucks to get the new police 4 in k390...

K390 is an A11 class steel similar to 10V.

Thanks, Darby... The pressure was just too much. I love spyderco, and I have a problem. There, I said it. P4 on the way along with another Pacific Salt SE.

YOWZA, with the current exchange rate I just paid around 275 bucks for the P4. I hope Sal puts me on the A-list :p

Here is a quote from Phil Wilson I have shared a few times. Good info.

Phil Wilson wrote:
"I have been using K390 from the start ever since it was introduced by Bohler and I got some small samples to try. A bit of history is that it is the European version of CPM 10V but not the exact chemistry (about 1% less V plus small addition of a few others). That is because the CPM 10V chemistry was protected by patent at the time. If you check the K390 data sheet it claims that the bit less V gives K 390 a little boost in impact toughness. It also can be heat treated at a lower temp. than 10v. So it is pretty much the same as the A11 grade but different in a few small details. It is hard to tell the difference between CPM 10v and BU K390 in the real world in my experience. I like both grades and they are the base line (along with Vanadius 10 and K294) from which I measure wear resistance. The 5 chrome is there to make them all air hardening among other things and does not contribute much to corrosion resistance. It is going to make a killer knife in the new offering and be another classic. Phil"

Give us a review when you get it. I've been looking at that one too. I wasn't a huge fan of the last Police, but for K390 I might have to give this one a try.

So many amazing knives from Spyderco...

Thanks. I would have liked this to use in the kitchen because of the blade geometry but maybe it's not ideal due to the lack of stainlessity. Anyway, it will be interesting to see how it stacks up against the Military.

@tom sure, if I have anything to say I will post. I'm not using my knives heavily lately like I did in the past because I am not getting outdoors much since I moved here. Most of my use is pretty mundane box and fruit cutting.

You are going to love, I mean love, that K390. I keep a very light coat of Vaseline on it, so light that you cannot see it. My blade has never rusted, pitted, nor has it gotten a patina (well, a little brass looking if the light is just right). It stays sharp a long time and it is not too bad to resharpen.

Doc Dan wrote:You are going to love, I mean love, that K390. I keep a very light coat of Vaseline on it, so light that you cannot see it. My blade has never rusted, pitted, nor has it gotten a patina (well, a little brass looking if the light is just right). It stays sharp a long time and it is not too bad to resharpen.

And you're gonna love it in the Police4!

Midnightrider wrote:Thanks a lot, Tom. I am on the verge of coughing up the 240 bucks to get the new police 4 in k390...

Fyi in case your weren't aware, most reputable Spyderco dealers have a retail price of $173.97. :)

Tdog wrote:

Midnightrider wrote:Thanks a lot, Tom. I am on the verge of coughing up the 240 bucks to get the new police 4 in k390...

Fyi in case your weren't aware, most reputable Spyderco dealers have a retail price of $173.97. :)

In case you were not aware, the prices in ROW do not have any connection to what you guys pay back home :eek:

wrdwrght wrote:

Doc Dan wrote:You are going to love, I mean love, that K390. I keep a very light coat of Vaseline on it, so light that you cannot see it. My blade has never rusted, pitted, nor has it gotten a patina (well, a little brass looking if the light is just right). It stays sharp a long time and it is not too bad to resharpen.

And you're gonna love it in the Police4!

Thanks guys! The love helps kill some of the financial pain

I will probably keep it sprayed down with Essence d'dead man's shoes aka Ballistol :p

Midnightrider wrote:

Tdog wrote:

Midnightrider wrote:Thanks a lot, Tom. I am on the verge of coughing up the 240 bucks to get the new police 4 in k390...

Fyi in case your weren't aware, most reputable Spyderco dealers have a retail price of $173.97. :)

In case you were not aware, the prices in ROW do not have any connection to what you guys pay back home :eek:

OOPS, sorry bout that. Didn't notice the CZ

Well the beer over here is cheaper than water and a million times better. I figure if I drink enough I'll break even sooner or later

K390 sucks at getting dull.

Ncmiked wrote:K390 sucks at getting dull.

LOL real glass is half empty kinda guy :p

Vaseline is safe to consume if you use it in small amounts on a knife blade. Ballistol is not recommended for consumption, so if you use your knife around food, I suggest Vaseline as it is simply mineral oil with paraffin that helps it stay on the blade.

Doc Dan wrote:Vaseline is safe to consume if you use it in small amounts on a knife blade. Ballistol is not recommended for consumption, so if you use your knife around food, I suggest Vaseline as it is simply mineral oil with paraffin that helps it stay on the blade.

Thanks, yeah I'm aware of these issues. I am not sure at this point if it will be used for food after all. If so, I'll try to find some mineral oil instead