52100 or s110v?
The added cost for the 52100 model is for the Carbon Fiber pell ply scales and probably the QC to keep it from rusting at the factory
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Both are interesting models, not really good to compare to each other since they're at opposite ends of the spectrum and have more trade offs then other steels at the middle of the spectrum.
You may be dissapointed if you don't know what you're getting into.
The 52100 will sharpen faster and easier like some other posters already said. The main advantage to the 52100 is if you like to sharpen or you like patinas. If you're just looking for a maintenance free EDC or have no interest in sharpening and polishing edges then stay away.
The edge on the 52100 will be more stable and less prone to microchipping with improper use but that doesn't make it a cold chisel or a prying tool. Those uses are geometry more then steel and are a trade off with cutting performance. Thicker = durable, less cutting performance. So it's better to go thin and use better judgement in use.
The s110v requires less maintenance, but will need more select abrasives to sharpen.
Even if you're broke, SiC sandpaper works and is cheap, no excuses. Buying a knife in s110v doesn't mean you don't have to sharpen it.
The s110v will physically cut longer then the 52100.
This is really, really important.
The s110v won't stay sharper longer but it will cut longer.
Also, sharpness is the sharpener, not the steel.
(There are some caveats to that but not in this comparison.)
The s110v is more prone to chipping then the 52100, but the 52100 will blunt and roll and physically stop cutting under the same duration of similar use. The 52100 will strop and hone better then the s110v but the s110v will also stroping and hone well too if the edge maintained at the same frequency as 52100.
The s110v has an "endurance mode" and will have a more aggressive edge at lower grits.
The 52100 will be easier to sharpen out damage, reprofile and polish the edge.
The s110v is definitely tough enough for cutting jobs but it's more sensitive to user error and abuse at the edge. Someone that will get the most enjoyment out of s110v is someone that takes care of their edges and does lots of cutting with no time to stop and hone or clean rust off the blade.
Both of these steels are at the more extreme ends of the spectrum so you'll have to cater your use and preferences to the strengths of these steel to get the most enjoyment.
I use a 15dps on both but I take my 52100 to a higher polished edge since it doesn't have alot of horsepower with a toothy edge compared to the powder steels
Both are fun.
Also make sure you check out the Cruwear Pm2 which will offer the best compromise between the s110v and the 52100, also a little cheaper.
You might like Cruwear more.
