S30V Edge Retention Test

Testing the wear resistance of S30V at 60HRC on a Spyderco Shaman at 0.150" at the spine, 0.026" behind the edge of a 15 dps/ 30 inclusive edge on Spyderco Brown Alumina, previous edge was fully removed with a high angle and rezeroed at 15dps, no stropping , the edge was fully deburred using the brown rods.

[@CedricAda]

Awesome performance from a steel that is definitely still relevant, awesome and DEFINITELY not worth complaining about (as sometimes happens in this golden age of steel)

[@FearNoSteel]

Cedric & Ada Gear and Outdoors S"dirty" V gets no love, that's why it's the "dirty 30"

[@jovonntrujillo1143]

I love s30 especially with boss heat treat perfect for edc!!!! But yt ers like mike emler say it’s a incredibly chippy and talk crap about it.great to see real tests and not just bs opinions.

[@howardgreen9718]

Big Brown Bear I just bought the Delica Zome in S30 V so far maintaining it with the strop

[@matchesburn]

+Cedric & Ada Gear and Outdoors Yeah, it's awesome when you aren't ripping the vanadium carbides out of a vanadium-heavy steel with a power tool propelled abrasive medium that is too soft to cut vanadium carbides with that you actually see good performance in it.

[@pinkbrisingr78]

Cedric & Ada Gear and Outdoors Keep those vids coming Pete! I absolutely agree with your comment.

[@maanerotte]

Holy handgrenade BBB I have been sharpening my knives for 30 years, but I feel like I just learned more about sharpening in the last 22 minutes. Thank you for a great and thorough video on the subject! Kind regards

[@GehrmansWheelchair]

As someone who studied knife skills in some culinary classes, here’s a huge tip for reducing the risk of cutting your fingertips off when doing this: protrude your knuckles out in your non cutting hand, and let them brush against the side of blade, this keeps your cuts straight up and down and makes it impossible to cut your fingertips because your knuckles aren’t allowing the blade to get to them. Helps massively when cutting things like carrots or celery, also will make these tests a lot safer. Great video!

[@william1973ist]

Well done, definitely shows that S30V is still a player for every day. Thanks brother!

[@viper2788]

Thanks for this video. I've been putting a polished edge on my benchmade 940 and noticed it kept losing it quickly.. been scratching my head but glad you made this clear.

[@Outpost_76]

I'd be very interested with a video explaining a good edc edge finish. A good compromise between toothy and polished or if one wins out over the other and why. I have different finishes on different knives but I wouldn't mind it better explained in detail. Love what you do to make everyone else better informed. I appreciate it.

[@FearNoSteel]

Outpost 76 that's one of my favorite things to talk about with other Sharpeners.

[@SHADOW-ke6xz]

This might have been the most informative blade video I've watched in a while, thanks man.

[@harrisquicksilver6595]

Wow u explain so much and make sense of it all so well, fire retention test bro.

[@StraitClownin909]

Wow great video. I just bought my first two high end knives with s30v and after watching this I'm glad I did. I'm sure my PM2 and lil native will hold up well.

[@howardgreen9718]

I came for the cut test but stayed for the leg shaving.

[@seff2318]

always look forward to these videos. sorry for asking a bunch of stupid questions all the time, there’s so much info on sharpening equipment and way too much misinformation, the majority of my misguidance came from my superiors in the industry. I took your suggestion and got the 600 and 2k choseras. Aside from the stones at work, I’ve been sharpening on a $10 ace hardware aluminium oxide stone on a bunch of old cheap and abused knives using tips I’ve learned from your channel, I can’t believe how sharp I can get an edge from that crappy little stone lol. I really appreciate your help 👍

[@FearNoSteel]

Seth Wright hell yea, love the 600, 2k combo. Glad to hear your exploring different finishs on you own. Good times brotha

[@highvibration894]

Ha Triple B whats up brother Love your vids, I’m continuesly picking up ausome and useful informative information which continues to help me to grow and refine my sharpening skills as every steel has its own personality its good to know what your dealing with and how to tackle it. Thanks brother i really appreciate your time and efforts you bring to us all.

[@FearNoSteel]

Roln Thnda I'm glad ya appreciate my time homie. Thanks for letting me know. Shawn

[@kevinAuman1]

Thanks for posting, I was one of the guilty going as mirrored as I could on my S30V knives 😕 learn something new everyday lol

[@smlamt]

Man I still come back to ur videos when I need advice be cool to have u on speed dial lol

[@Cycletroll]

Nice demonstration Shawn! Thanks for the effort.

[@bryancbailey]

BBB… man… cant say thanks enough for all the knowledge you share! I was curious: what angle and finish would you recommend for benchmade bugout in s30v? I’ve got a wicked edge with diamond stones (100-2200) and strops with 4,, 2, and 1 micron diamond emulsion. Sounds like a toothy edge is what I need to aim for, but what stones should I stop with and should I strop? I know you get so many random questions and not sure you’ll ever see this, but thought I’d at least ask!

[@dn2610]

Two years too late but excellent and well done on one of my favorite steels!!

[@quintond.7888]

Great vid. It's amazing how this awesome steel gets thrown into the basic bitch category. My everyday has been a S35VN PM2 for the past 6 months or so. I feel like those 2 are the best EDC because they touch up SO easily compared to the higher alloyed CPM steels. I shelved my 110v knife to backup duty for that reason alone.

[@FearNoSteel]

Quinton D. I do love me some S110v though

[@quintond.7888]

Oh yeah man. My problem is I never get to sit down and sharpen. I can fix up 30/35 in no time on a DS2. My blurple manix is an animal of a knife though.

[@FearNoSteel]

Quinton D. Haha yea huh? 30/35 sharpen much faster

[@Clare.1985]

Not criticizing you at all. This is a great video. But in my experience diamond plates give you the strongest, sharpest edge on these premium, super steels. Ceramic gets it sharp but you lose the edge much quicker.

[@anotherrandomtexan25]

Some great info here man I had been wondering why it seemed my s110v would be sharper without a strop and even using only my gray spyderco rod instead of white!

[@SimonsDiscoveries]

Exactly. I like it when it turns out my experience isn't just my own delusion lol

[@FearNoSteel]

Haha agreed

[@thaknobodi]

I deburr on the stones as much as possible, but a letter envelope on a table, or the corner of a hard cardboard box as a strop finishes it nicely.

[@FearNoSteel]

I'm going to keep it real with you. I had the same experience when I was in your position but what I've learned over time with experience is If that's effective then there is still a wire edge and you will need a fine abrasive on that envelope or cardboard to fully remove that straightened out burr for lasting front end sharpness.

[@thaknobodi]

@@FearNoSteel thanks ill use a few passes on a strop with compound from now on

[@garyjacobs2789]

I own a lil native in 30v and benchmade 940 in 30v. Its a fine steel . Both take fine edges and i enjoy sharpen them. I think they are better at taking a fine edge than 35vn. But my small sebenza in s35vn will hold a working edge longer.

[@jmas2190]

That's one way to show us how s30v still could hold it's own. Great knife also...

[@jamesmiller360]

Very informative, S30V is my edc and I maintain it with the Spyderco bench stones. Works well for me but I'm not hard on my knives.

[@tonycanniffe2360]

Great test. Thanks Shawn

[@Kwaark]

a lot of great advises, thx for that ! I just ordered diamond spray compound !

[@greatnorthwest667]

What is your recommendation on edge finish for cutting mainly wood? Along with rope, 550 cord, dirty and ash covered fire hose, glass filament tape. I use the same system you showed here and just curious so I can keep optimum edge for 2-3 weeks at a time.

[@FearNoSteel]

you must be a wildland firefighter wood cutting is polished edge, fire hose and rope is toothy, try to find a balance of the two. like a 400 grit stropped at 1um or an 800 to 1000 grit edge

[@greatnorthwest667]

@@FearNoSteel Thank you for info and I will do those steps. I'm amazed how well steels such as vg10, 154cm, and s30v hold up considering the steels technically above them. I like and appreciate your straightforward approach in your videos. I am a firefighter and during down time I like to whittle and carve etc. Trying to get a good method dialed in for that and this helps a lot

[@JohnSmith-rm7xk]

Oh nice. You keep your Costco Saran Wrap on top of your fridge.... as do I. I once saw someone use the whole thing. Took about 3 years.

[@stevegraves8416]

Good info. Thanks! Have you done this same test with k390?

[@patrickmccrea3455]

This was well done i still love S30v 😁

[@convex7456]

My para3 has nothing but impressed me in s30v . after i sharpened it the first time. Then edge has been plenty tough. Even when carving

[@FearNoSteel]

convex yeah this ain't 2008 anymore, S30V has been getting better

[@william1973ist]

Not to mention you got some great tinder for your next camp outing!

[@justinnemeth8931]

How did you find the handle comfort of the shaman after all that cutting?

[@FearNoSteel]

Better then the rest

[@StraitClownin909]

The Shamans handle looks awesome. Coming from a PM2 with all the 90 degree angles the countoured angles of the shaman look great.

[@rangerjonoutdoors6429]

Great vid dude. I’m always telling people Spyderco’s S30V will not let you down. People forget how good it is in this day and age of Maxamet and Rex lol. Quick question since you own both: I’m thinking of picking up another PM2 either in S110v or Cruwear. I’m really curious to the s110v from a users perspective and the Cruwear as a sharpener I hear amazing things. Just curious if you could only have one which one you enjoy owning the most! Thanks dude 🔥

[@FearNoSteel]

Ranger Jon Outdoors haha Cruwear hands down bro. Cruwear gives you options. Its arguably one of the best all around steels. If you want polish? It polishes you want crispy edges? Cruwear wants to get sharp. You want toothy? Cruwear can. You want toughness? Edge stability? Cruwear has it all. It's not stainless, but with close to 8% chromium it's not very reactive. S110v is a toothy edge monster. I always try to polish it but it seems to work best with a toothy edge like in this s30v video. 400-800 finish with stropping to refine the teeth. It's very exciting how aggressive the edge gets it's very much like turning the volume dial up on s30v s110v is a real SHREDDER bro. Not a good steel for dumbasses though, it's tougher than people give it credit for but it will chip if used to open can food and general dumb use. If you use your knife as a cutting tool then it's not an issue. The difficulty sharpening is overblown, people psych themselves out. Nah, just use proper techniques, abrasives and excute. It just takes longer which allows angle inconsistencies to add up to a rounded edge. I think you'll be happier with Cruwear.

[@rangerjonoutdoors6429]

Big Brown Bear thanks for the reply. I definitely expected to see the Cruwear recommendation, which is great. The idea of a higher toughness steel in a folding knife appeals to me a lot. Plus, as a sharpener, when folks like Michael Christy and yourself use the words Superblue and M4 a lot in the same sentence when describing Cruwear, I’m sold haha. I’ll definitely be picking up one of the upcoming knifecenter Cruwear models, and screw it...probably some 110v next month just to have both. I had a UKPK in S110V but gave it away as a gift before I really got to know the steel well. I’m a sucker for a slick sharpening steel, as well as those hyper aggressive high carbide cutters. But thanks for everything dude I really appreciate the advice on the two steels !

[@tacticalcenter8658]

Excellent video! s30v is nearly identical to s35vn. though s35vn might get 10more cuts out of it, its going to be close and not able to tell the difference to the end user. The addition of nobium though will help with the characteristics of the steel.

[@FearNoSteel]

Tactical Center shyt, I'd say "s dirty V" cuts longer then s35vn, I had a Hinderer and a Chris Reeve AND a ZT 450 in that steel, polished better but lost the bite quicker

[@leotam3372]

How do you deburr near the very tip on the corners without running the tip off? Those vanadium carbides doing their thing! "S30V is trash" they said - "M390 should be the base steel" they said

[@pinkbrisingr78]

Very nice video man. Thanks!

[@jrclad2964]

Awesome videos that You are posting, BBB. Thanks a lot. A question though, what type of 1 micron diamond spray do you use to strop knives ? Thanks again for your knowledge.

[@FearNoSteel]

Portland Knife House Brand

[@jrclad2964]

Thank You very much. Appreciate it. Waiting for your CBN stones.

[@barrylevitt1170]

Great review. I realize you prefer super steels but I would like you to review Spyderco VG10 and D2 using the same format. Have a great day.

[@FearNoSteel]

barry levitt yea that would be cool

[@whocares3986]

I saved boxes and decided to test 8cr13 for a start. I was amazed at how much I cut before it wouldn't cut printer paper any longer.

[@FearNoSteel]

Bob Snyder cardboard testing and rope cut testing work a little differently

[@whocares3986]

Big Brown Bear I know. I'm sorry I didn't make myself clear. I was saying that testing retention could be a lot of work. Even more so with better blade steels. I appreciate your work.

[@m00nsplitter72]

I was sharpening my Ritter Mini-Griptillian (S30V, of coarse), and was getting a nice shine on my Spyderco fine bench stone, and just for kicks I searched S30V on KZbin for amusement and motivation, and found your ursine posting.. It's now skin-grabbing keen but I am faced with two choices. 1) To complete my intended sharpening on the ultra-fine and finish with 1 μm diamond on leather, or just say f@#k it, and go for a cinder block edge. Either way, I'm bound to have a sleepless night. Drats.

[@MikeUman]

Geez, dude! What are ya gonna do after the leg hair is gone? Look out butt hair!

[@FearNoSteel]

Mike Uman hahaha

[@jamesg.1032]

Please warn us when that video comes, I'll skip it thanks.

[@stevenlachance8576]

Manscaping

[@jessejames4774]

The butt hair was first

[@danmichell7516]

so with any steel toothy is better or just the high vanadium steels

[@FearNoSteel]

Depends no, it depends on what you're doing with it.

[@danmichell7516]

ok . for best edge retention slicing

[@FearNoSteel]

dan michell haha slicing what? This Edge would SUCK on my 8" hap40 kirtsuke. Too rough, I'd want a 3k for that. Lasers through food prep. But that edge would go smooth fast on a folder if your using it to cut boxes all day. Murray Carter put it best, "are you cutting to keep? Or cutting to throw away?" "Cutting to keep" is quality cuts over endurance. Things like food or shaving your face. "Cutting to throw away" is more about aggressive cuts less precision, more endurance. Cutting boxes and packages, the quality of cut doesn't matter, it's garbage.

[@FearNoSteel]

dan michell does that help?

[@danmichell7516]

yup im a utilitarian hard use function over form guy ,, most is throw away .food is all i keep for awhile anyway

[@roylerroycerickson]

What is best to use to sharpen s30v ive got sharpmaker, chosera 400 and 3000 a dc4 and a xc c diafold n just ordered some 1micron temo diamond paste? And how should i approach it? Thanks

[@barlow2976]

I'll be the first to admit I don't know much about sharpening, and some knives I've struggled on. I've used my sharpmaker on s30v, (standard med/fine rods) followed by a strop, and its been great, with the edge lasting well. I've finally started to 'get' my waterstones 1000/6000 and they get it horribly sharp,and although that doesn't seem as durable it's fun. I've been known just to give it a few strokes on the medium rods too as in this video, and that suffices too.All my knives are used as workers and I've found s30v to be strong, and hasn't chipped.

[@mockindignant]

Do you still have any of the diamond stones for sale? I posted in the comments but never heard a response.

[@FearNoSteel]

mockindignant the Naniwa diamond? Yes, a few left, 800 and 3k

[@FearNoSteel]

mockindignant [e-mail]

[@bulbchangingmonkey]

Really liked the vid I still carry some s30v ! can you do the same with m4 or m390?

[@FearNoSteel]

Patrick Bateman I can do M4, I don't own M390

[@pedroordepo9860]

Big Brown Bear Big Brown, if you want a steal in m390. Checkout the viper fortis. 180 bucks full titanium framelock, m390 blade and it has a "spyder" hole. Look it up at collectorknives.net if you become convinced.

[@jasonerickson1033]

Hey brother where u get your pk h strop s at and best place to pick up cb n or diamond sprays

[@FearNoSteel]

Give the portland knife house a call and order or try the Phoenix Knife House, Same store, two locations

[@randyparker8009]

Enjoyed my friend. I love cutting test and knife sharpening. Found the diamond spray on the web. At John Im Port. Trided to call but know answer left email and what I was looking for. Hope you have a blessed day.

[@FearNoSteel]

Randy Parker you can order it through me Randy, Shawn

[@powerai]

I want to get a water stone. I can't decide between the king 1000/6000 for 27 bucks or the king kds 1000/6000 for 57 bucks. I'll use it mostly for kitchen knives wustof nothing too hard. Thankyou for the awsome videos

[@FearNoSteel]

The wustof is too soft to take advantage of the 6000. I'd just save money and buy a king deluxe 800 grit. If you have the skills you can get a KILLER edge off the 800 stone with that steel and still keep the bite to a wustof edge. Strop on 1um diamond spray and leather to enhance the edge. SHARP. I'd do the 1k/6k combination for japanese carbon steel, white and blue paper steel. They seem to handle the polish better.

[@powerai]

Big Brown Bear Thankyou I was looking at the king 800 deluxe. The finest grit i have now is a ceramic honing rod and I get a very sharp edge. I just want a stone . My knives really never dull too much

[@FearNoSteel]

Henry Thomas yea get the 800, after a while the ceramic hone is not going to work like it did. You'll need to set the bevels, make them nice and crisp from shoulder to Apex and deburr. Then maintenance with the honing rod.

[@powerai]

Big Brown Bear thankyou for the advice I'm so definitely getting a stone holder. I enjoy your videos and teaching style

[@liamyedmun825]

Hi, how you use the sharp maker?

[@trustmeimfromaustria]

Would you also recommend this coarse type of edge for S35VN ?

[@FearNoSteel]

Gott erhalte Franz 600-800 grit then strop it

[@trustmeimfromaustria]

Thank you !

[@biscuitkitchentnives]

Nice vid, very informative.

[@LetoAt77]

What type of edge do you recommend for 3V, toothy or polished?

[@FearNoSteel]

Christian Cork bushcrafting, woodworking= polish Hunting, utility= toothy

[@LetoAt77]

Thank you bro, much appreciated.

[@aray9628]

This is a great video

[@nuwrcaan]

When I fist read that in my KZbin feed I thought it said: "How much cunts?" 😂

[@skygroover6692]

Cutting the rope is not dulling the blade running along that wood is

[@jcb6713]

...thank you ! ....have a good one...

[@mustamuri]

360 Kertaa leikkas , mutta mulla loppu köysi , terän oli kuulalaakerin renkaasta taottu , normaali karkaisu , päästö niin pehmeäksi ettei saarnea kestänyt veistää ja sitten nestemäiseen typpeen neljäksi tunniksi ...super terävä ja sitkeä terä...

[@Mrplacedcookie]

Great man! 👍🇸🇪

[@SuperSteelSteve]

Bad ass test bro... I love when you do these "shut everyone the Fuck up" videos. "S30v is not a good enough blade steel for a $170 knife" .... Fuck off. I picked up a "used" standard Spyderco Mililtary... S30v and black G10 handles.... I am blown away with the s30v! The only s30v i had before was on my BM 940... And lets be honest... While the 940 is a great knife... A slicer it is not meant to be. The Millie on the other hand....built to cut! DMT XC then DMT fine... 3 micron diamond on basswood..... Watch the Fuck out! It acts like a M4 lite lol (so gonna get flamed for that one lol) It breaks down in a very consistent way and stays toothy. Push cuts will be long gone but it will still SLICE through damn near anything for damn near forever lol Great vid again brother

[@FearNoSteel]

God damn, someone that fuckin gets it! You have a leg up Steve coming from the Culinary world and being legit AF and having some crossover to other knives. Its all about the right steel for the right job with the right edge on the right geometry for the right user and whatever the preference is. .....420HC 4 lyfe!!!!!

[@SuperSteelSteve]

Big Brown Bear bro... Honesuki sk5 carbon- fatty raw meets: 600 grit DMT Sujihiki aogami super blue- raw fish- 8000 grit Kitiyama Gyuto HAP40- veg/ general prep- 1000 grit shapton glass Deba sk5 carbon - breaking whole fish(bones) 400 grit DMT Time and a place for Every thing dude! 420 hc fo life!....

[@joshjohnson5307]

Let me just agree with the first comment....FUCKIN SWEET SHIRT! when I die I want to be reincarnated as a yautja

[@FearNoSteel]

Fuck Yea Bro!

[@johnedward4423]

mine does about 6 feet of cardboard.. then it stops shaving. even at a 25 degree angle.

[@FearNoSteel]

John Edward for cardboard the behind the edge thickness is a huge factor. Also depends on the edge finish, how crisp was the edge, was it convexed? Was it fully deburred? That will cause some variation

[@johnedward4423]

+Big Brown Bear I used an angle guide to set the bevel, and went freehand from there. I think it's too smooth. I went to 3k and stropped on bark river black and white. I will invest in diamond spray..

[@FearNoSteel]

John Edward yeah man, drop down to a 1k edge too. Also the diamond only enhances a sharp edge, it can't create.

[@skygroover6692]

Should have doubled it up and count it as 2 cuts

[@49giants3]

Nice test, but you’re gonna go bald fuckin around like that lol. Thanks Shawn

[@st.justinsballistica]

Nice shirt!

[@Damen0530]

Sweet t-shirt....

[@FearNoSteel]

Damen0530 Sweet

[@bp-hx9ts]

I use spydercos rods freehand it’s cheaper then buying the benchstones

[@FearNoSteel]

imma stone snob, I gotta have nice stones to enjoy knives

[@bp-hx9ts]

Big Brown Bear lol I would buy the benchstones but I like the portobility in the rods more also I’m buying a kme sharpening system soon and gotta have the funds for that and the accessories

[@bp-hx9ts]

Ah the struggles of sharpening having no hair lol

[@FearNoSteel]

curses haha

[@John..18]

Check out Cedric and Ada Gear and Outdoors,, he has dozens and dozens of steel tests using a "very similar" testing method,,, he has all the results in a list for ease of reference.. (superb channel, also)

[@FearNoSteel]

John Waddington haha yup

[@LIE4ME]

I want that shirt.

[@thepast6007]

maxamet can to 550 cuts and still shave a little :) but hey i prefer s30v :)

[@randyparker8009]

Thanks will send you a text.

[@ТоварищЧе-я7й]

👍

[@majortranka]

might as well use a cinder block, lol

[@49giants3]

And people still talk shit about s30v lol

[@dark_gravity_edc]

Gross leg hair! Lol Just the rope cut is sick but when you add the cutting board it's actually pretty damn amazing job. Wow

[@jovonntrujillo1143]

Question do u prefer poly diamond or mono for the strops????? And does is make a difference in strops?

[@FearNoSteel]

Jovonn Trujillo I only use PKH brand. Ive tried some others. That's all I like.

[@EDCwithAaron]

So what would you say the best grit would be to sharpen s30v at? I use a kme system

[@FearNoSteel]

EDC with Aaron play with it brother. See what you like don't go under 400 grit for a final edge but don't go past 3k either. Strop afterwards at 1 um diamond or CBN. Play with the combinations that range and see what you like See what you like

[@bp-hx9ts]

EDC with Aaron Cedric and adas tests results would make me want to go full mirror