Anyone have experience with 20cv vs S35vn?

XtianAus

XtianAus

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Looking for the difference between these 2 steels in regards to their toughness, corrosion resistance and edge retention.

I know Survive use to offer S35vn as an alternate steel. Any ideas as to why they chose to discontinue it?
 
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I just started using my 3.5 and 5.1 in 20cv and they're great compared to my Bark River's in S35vn. Neither steel has had any corrosion issues, but the edge retention and toughness seems for me to go to 20cv. I've chipped and rolled the edges on my Bravo 1 in S35vn and have yet to do so in the Survive! knives. However, I will admit that even though I've done similar tasks with the Survive blades as the Bark Rivers. I don't have the same amount of time behind the 20cv steel as I have the Bark River's in S35vn. I have actually given the Bark River Bravo 1 in S35vn to my 7 year old to use on our hike, backpacking, and camping trips because it requires less maintenance than the 3v blades. I also have a Benchmade Sibert 162 in S30v and I like the 20cv thus far over that steel as well. The only downside is if you let the 20cv get a little dull without touching it up it is more difficult to bring back the edge than the other two options. I had to use my DC10 and strop to bring back the edge on the 5.1 versus most of the other blades a quick strop will do after last weekends backpacking trip. However, I could easily go through an entire weekend of camp chores without any significant issues or dulling of the 20cv. I brought my DC10 and strop just in case, but didn't have to use them, until after we got home. The vast majority of my fixed blades are in 3v and I really like that steel for it's toughness, but I always have an issue with a little patina and little spots forming on the steel during use in semi-wet environments.(It's not a deal killer by any means because I'm still a fan of 3v) However, I'm starting to use my stainless blades more often during backpacking, hikes in the Sierra Nevada, fishing trips, and when I head to the ocean, or anywhere I think the blades might get a little wet or damp. I'm definitely going to carry my 20cv blades during my winter hikes, snow shoeing, and camping. However, there's nothing wrong with S35vn, but if I had to choose moving forward in stainless blades I'd stick with 20cv.
 
Both steels are awesome, I have numerous knives in both. S35vn can really hold an edge if rc is taken to 60-61. Ankerson tested a production Fiddleback Forge blade that put up impressive edge retention numbers. I am a fan of s35vn because it's a fairly well balanced steel. Great corrosion resistance, solid edge retention and toughness for a stainless steel and it's not difficult to sharpen. S35vn also responds well to stropping. While I own steels with more vanadium than S35vn, it tends to be upper limits of what I prefer.
 
XtianAus said:
Looking for the difference between these 2 steels in regards to their toughness, corrosion resistance and edge retention.
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My CPM-20CV GSO-5.1 was tougher than any S35VN knife I've used (Bark River, Spartan Blades, Chris Reeve, Zero Tolerance). 20CV is also very difficult to sharpen, so much that I would hesitate to bring a CPM-20CV knife too far from high quality sharpening equipment - I would hate to have to sharpen out a damaged edge in the field. This is why I like the CPM-154 GSO 4.7 so much, it's truly stainless and plenty tough and is very easy to sharpen with a strop or stone or whatever.
 
I'm with you MatthewSB, Cmp154 is my favorite stainless steel. Cts-xhp is great stuff also.
 
For me, when it comes to 20CV, CTS-204P, M390, S35VN, Elmax, there really hasn't appeared to be enough of a difference to be concerned with it. All of them seem to cut forever, resist chipping (in typical pocketknife tasks), and resharpen inside the limits of my ability to discern a significant difference. All are pretty impressive in their edge-holding, corrosion-resistance, and sharpenability, so far IME.
 
I have a production Duke from FF in S35vn and it's a super sturdy knife
Perfect for canoe camping in my book
 
I just received my production Duke in the mail yesterday. I really like the feel of the Duke. It seems like it will be a great slicer. I'll test it out a little tomorrow.
 
My Fiddleback Duke is a great knife and I love the s35v steel. It has great edge retention and I have yet to chip or damage it. I think that 20cv will hold an edge longer (probably a lot longer), but I would not want to try and sharpen it in the field.

They are both great steels, with slightly different pros and cons, and as weekend warrior I dont foresee pushing either steel pAst its limit on well manufactured blade like Fiddleback or S!K.
 
I know that this thread is not about the Duke but I took a few minutes to quickly make a notch a feather stick and some general whittling. Wow, great blade geometry on the Fiddleback! Should I ever decide to sell off my fixed blades, this one would be a keeper along with my Gso blades, of course.
 
i've had a Duke and i currently own a 4.7 in 20CV. in my opinion between the two, i give the nod to 20CV for toughness and edge retention. i too was curious about corrosion resistance, and am happy to report that i have seen no corrosion so far. i think you're going to find that both steels hold up very well against corrosion and pitting. in my mind, i like my S35VN steels for my folding knives, and 20CV for my tough, do it all fixed blade. .02

Jay
 
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