Native 5 Switches from S35VN to S30V

[dplafoll]

From the latest Spyderco Byte:
"After exhaustive in-house performance testing and tons of end-user feedback, we have also decided to change the blade steel of the Native 5 from its current CPM S35VN™ to CPM S30V®. This rolling change will be implemented as we exhaust our current inventory of parts, so some versions of the Native 5 will complete the switch sooner than others. However, the change will ultimately affect all standard G-10 and FRN-handled versions of this popular model."

Discuss.

[abbazaba]

Ditching the steel liners and switching to S30v seems like it would be a cost savings.

Going liner less is nice IMO, but it's sad to see the only production S35vn Spyderco die.

[steelcity16]

Interesting. Between this and the move to linerless G10 I am not liking the changes. My ideal Native is either G10 or Peel Ply CF with the full skeletonized liners, and a tool steel such as Cruwear, 52100, or M4. I wouldn't say no to a Red G10/M390 DLT trading version though assuming it wasn't linerless.

[archangel]

The S110V version will keep its steel liners.

But I agree that it's a loss to have no more S35V. It's always nice to have a choice.

[Sharp Guy]

I just read the new edition of Byte. I don't mind the change to S30V but I'm also glad I already have 3 Native 5s with S35VN.

[zhyla]

Going liner less is nice IMO, but it's sad to see the only production S35vn Spyderco die.

But I agree that it's a loss to have no more S35V. It's always nice to have a choice.

I just read the new edition of Byte. I don't mind the change to S30V but I'm also glad I already have 3 Native 5s with S35VN.

You guys know S35VN is not "5 better" than S30V, right? Users shouldn't notice any difference between the two. I really doubt anyone could distinguish the two from use.

[archangel]

Still, one of the things that distinguish Spyderco from other makers is that they offer a very wide range of different steels. Now it will be one less.

[attila]

What sort of testing would show S30V to be superior, and in what miniscule ways? Did they just determine that the percentage of cost difference is more than the percentage of performance difference?

Also, I wonder if S35VN will be abandoned altogether in the future by Spyderco. That's a depressing thought, since I have been hoping more models would eventually get "upgraded" from S30V to S35VN.

This blade steel news is a bummer, but I do like the move to linerless Natives.

[bh49]

In my use I never saw a difference between S35Vn and S30V. Somehow I do not even have any of these steels currently in use. I have three used Natives, one with S35Vn and one with S30V, but use any of them once in a blue moon.

[knivesandbooks]

I don't mind this at all. I've not noticed any performance or sharpening differences between the two. I would hope this might drop the price a few bucks.

I wasn't sure about the linerless g10 but after getting the manix 2 backlock, i think i prefer it.

[Ankerson]

S35VN and S30V are interchangeable, nothing wrong with S30V and I doubt anyone would notice the difference in performance.

[bouhunter]

I would hope this might drop the price a few bucks.

Somehow I doubt that's in the future.

[ZrowsN1s]

The steel switch doesn't bother me any. And I still like the linerless idea. Lighter is better I think, and less parts to trap dirt and moisture and rust.

[ABX2011]

Linerless is great. I love my fluted cf S90v version. Perfectly balanced, light and strong.

[bh49]

Linerless is great. I love my fluted cf S90v version. Perfectly balanced, light and strong.

The best Spyderco ever made. At least for me :)

[BIGSTRETCH]

What sort of testing would show S30V to be superior, and in what miniscule ways? Did they just determine that the percentage of cost difference is more than the percentage of performance difference?

For what it is worth, the internet consensus a while back was that s30v outperformed s35vn in edge retention but was more difficult to sharpen and perhaps more prone to chipping.

Just a guess, but perhaps Spyderco has found similar results and the difference in sharpenability is now negligible as sharpening equipment has caught up to the steel.

[ZrowsN1s]

Linerless is great. I love my fluted cf S90v version. Perfectly balanced, light and strong.

The best Spyderco ever made. At least for me :)

+1 :D And to think it almost didn't happen. I'm very happy they went through with it in the end.

[bh49]

Linerless is great. I love my fluted cf S90v version. Perfectly balanced, light and strong.

The best Spyderco ever made. At least for me :)

+1 :D And to think it almost didn't happen. I'm very happy they went through with it in the end.

You are correct. It almost didn't happen. I also very happy that it did.

[embry386]

Damnit, I wanted a plain edge DLC one in s35vn to match my serrated one. Hopefully the new DLC ones arrive before the switch to s30v.

[Donut]

I'd be interested to hear a summary of what has been discovered from the testing and a summary of what was heard from the customers.