CPM S110V still up there?

rexromic

rexromic

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Been reading lately about new blade steels coming up like Maxamet,Magnacut,15V and is CPM S110V still relevant?
As far as edge retention and toughness is S110V tough to beat considering new carbon steels have low rust resistance.
Is S110V underrated compare to new super steels or is still considered one of the top blade steels?
Interested in opinions based on real use and testing.Thanks.
 
It's a high edge retention, high corrosion resistance steel. S90V has slightly better toughness and edge retention but slightly less corrosion resistance. So it has its place. Magnacut is more balanced towards toughness than edge retention. Maxamet has much higher edge retention but much lower corrosion resistance. 15V is similar but much less corrosion resistant.
 
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Synov said:
It's a high edge retention, high corrosion resistance steel. S90V has slightly better toughness and edge retention but slightly less corrosion resistance. So it has its place. Magnacut is more balanced towards toughness than edge retention. Maxamet has much higher edge retention but much lower corrosion resistance. 15V is similar but much less corrosion resistant.
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Creely rates S-110-V higher in edge retention than Maxamet.View attachment 2084337
 
tiguy7 said:
Creely rates S-110-V higher in edge retention than Maxamet.View attachment 2084337
Click to expand...

I've often mentioned 12C27 as a great choice for budget knives. I generally get better performance from 12C27 than from 8Cr13Mov but I've had people question that claim. What I haven't seen is 12C27 holding a better edge than VG-10 or N690. I wonder how the values in this chart were derived.

Like Synov Synov said, Larrin probably has the best charts. Of course, his ratings are also limited in that they test with his heat treatment. I've got questions there too, but that's another topic.

On the original topic here, I really don't see S110V being used much in new knives. That doesn't mean that there is anything particularly wrong with S110V. It just means that it isn't getting used much and there are probably a couple of reasons. Personally, I'd be glad to see more knives in S110V and particularly with good heat treatments.
 
Synov said:
It's a high edge retention, high corrosion resistance steel. S90V has slightly better toughness and edge retention but slightly less corrosion resistance. So it has its place. Magnacut is more balanced towards toughness than edge retention. Maxamet has much higher edge retention but much lower corrosion resistance. 15V is similar but much less corrosion resistant.
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KnifeInformer also disagrees with your assertion that Maxamet has a much higher edge retention than S-110-V. If you think that S-110-V knives are few and far between, look for S-125-V knives. I’ll look for Larrin’s chart. We might be splitting hairs here.
I have 90,110, 125, and 121, but I prefer ZDP because it is easier to sharpen.
View attachment 2084373
 
Most of the charts that rank steels are a bit random. Some, like knife informer and blade hq are just garbage.

I would tend to believe knife steel nerds over the rest, but remember that it is always a generalization. You aren't guaranteed to get what you would expect based on the charts.

The thing you can say about knife steel nerds charts is that it is a like for like comparison. It doesn't necessarily tell you whether the knife you are buying is going to be as good as the numbers in those charts. It just gives you a point of reference for what is close to what you should expect based on an optimal sample, and even then it is not always what you would expect.
 
Synov said:
It's a high edge retention, high corrosion resistance steel. S90V has slightly better toughness and edge retention but slightly less corrosion resistance. So it has its place. Magnacut is more balanced towards toughness than edge retention. Maxamet has much higher edge retention but much lower corrosion resistance. 15V is similar but much less corrosion resistant.
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Thanks!
 
tiguy7 said:
KnifeInformer also disagrees with your assertion that Maxamet has a much higher edge retention than S-110-V. If you think that S-110-V knives are few and far between, look for S-125-V knives. I’ll look for Larrin’s chart. We might be splitting hairs here.
I have 90,110, 125, and 121, but I prefer ZDP because it is easier to sharpen.
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Again, I question what data these rankings are derived from. Larrin uses a CATRA machine on blades that have the same edge geometry. He's a metallurgist, so I would take his word over a review blog or even a knifemaker.

knifesteelnerds.com

Testing the Edge Retention of 48 Knife Steels - Knife Steel Nerds

I tested the edge retention of 48 knife steels using the same knife design and sharpening. Which steels cut the longest? Which are the most balanced?
knifesteelnerds.com knifesteelnerds.com
 
I still like S110V and have made dozens of knives using that steel. I recently transitioned over to S90V because I find it easier to work with than S110V, but performance wise I see no significant difference with the exception of corrosion resistance, especially since having S90V heat treated to 61-62 RC. I still have a few bars of S110V that I will likely use in the future.
 
tiguy7 said:
Creely rates S-110-V higher in edge retention than Maxamet.View attachment 2084337
Click to expand...
They have S30V/ S35VN grouped into one category lol why not just include Elmax then too? Either way this isn’t accurate, the S3xVx steels should be moved up about 6 spots on that chart
Also, how does VG-10 get a rating that is 5 spots below 154CM or 440C?
The other chart someone posted looks more accurate
 
Regarding the rankings charts and the real-world performance of the knife in your hand:

It is my Nieve and uninformed understanding that the heat treatment of each batch of blades at a knife makers shop can significantly affect the performance of whatever new, trendy steel is being used.

And expectations play a huge part in this too. there asre those who swear by any knife made by a premium maker who only uses 440C in their stainless blades . . . .despite its much lower ranking on these charts. Yet there seems to be a plethora of newer steel formulations that have better toughness and edge retention while being sufficiently corrosion resistant.

What is the toughness and edge retention comparison between any of the high performing stainless steels and any of the non-stainless carbon steels? In that comparison, it must be understood that corrosion resistance is not a parameter to be considered in compiling ranking.

Is there a chart of that anywhere?
 
Well corrosion resistance shouldn't be ignored since it is a very important factor in maintaining your knife. If your knife is allowed to corrode then this can effect your edge as much as edge retention does. And of course there is such a chart from Larrin. Orange is non-stainless and blue is stainless, and S110V is the 4th rightmost blue dot.

toughness-edge-retention-5-9-2021.jpg
 
I’m a big fan of S110V. I do not currently have any knives in that steel but the Military and Manix2 I had with blurple and S110V were great. I should look into picking one up again. I wonder who else makes knives with S110V other than Spyderco.
 
Wolverine666 said:
I’m a big fan of S110V. I do not currently have any knives in that steel but the Military and Manix2 I had with blurple and S110V were great. I should look into picking one up again. I wonder who else makes knives with S110V other than Spyderco.
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ZT has offered multiple models in S110V over the years, including both the 0470 and 0560.
 
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My Military in S110V is a challenge to sharpen, but it takes a very fine toothy edge that cuts for a long time. Still one of my favorite steels. Comparisons are difficult as blade geometry, heat treatment etc, all differ.
 
Wolverine666 said:
I’m a big fan of S110V. I do not currently have any knives in that steel but the Military and Manix2 I had with blurple and S110V were great. I should look into picking one up again. I wonder who else makes knives with S110V other than Spyderco.
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Other than Spyderco and Kershaw/ZT I am not aware of any production companies using S110V. Custom side there are a few, but not many.
 
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