HAP40 vs. S30V - Your experience

xraso

xraso

Joined
Feb 11, 2014
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I believe I have narrowed down my next purchase, and I am just waffling on the blade steel.

I can choose either HAP40 or S30V from Spyderco. What is everyone's experience with them. I would have to say my primary concern is edge retention. I don't currently have a Spyderco in either metal, so all input is appreciated!
 
Right off the bat, HAP40 is a carbon tool steel, S30V is a stainless steel. If corrosion resistance is important to you the S30V will probably suit you better.
 
I prefer the hap40 as it is harder to come by and keeps a crazy sharp edge for longer than the s30v in my experience. My hap40 dragonfly is laminated with stainless, so not worried about corrosion and a nice look where the hap40 patinas. S30v blades are everywhere. To me its the hap40 all day unless it not being stainless is a factor. But I've had s30v rust anyway.
 
kniferbro said:
Right off the bat, HAP40 is a carbon tool steel, S30V is a stainless steel. If corrosion resistance is important to you the S30V will probably suit you better.
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The Spyderco HAP40 is laminated with SUS410, so I am not too concerned with corrosion :) Good point that the unlamiated cutting edge will need to be cared for though.
 
If your primary concern is edge retention, I'd go with S90V or S110V.

Even though you don't care about corrosion on the blade, a non-stainless steel will corrode on the edge, causing premature dulling.
 
Twindog said:
If your primary concern is edge retention, I'd go with S90V or S110V.

Even though you don't care about corrosion on the blade, a non-stainless steel will corrode on the edge, causing premature dulling.
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If I had the option I would definitely go with s110V (absolutely love it on my blurple PM2). But the knife I want to get is a Delica Wharncliffe. I found it in HAP40 and found one place I could order a S30V version (for like $40-$50 dollars more ignoring shipping :( ).

I actually ended up ordering the HAP40 one (just couldn't hold off the itch any more). It came down to liking the Burnt Orange over the regular Orange color handle and not having any knife what-so-ever in HAP40 yet.
 
I have a Hap40 endura. It’s one of my work knives. It’s pretty awesome. Way better than my vg10 endura. I ended giving the vg10 one to a friend.
My closest s30v blade would be a manix2. The endura works circles around the manix as far as edge retention.
You’ll love it!
 
Hap40. I’m one of the people that likes s30v but I love hap40. Holds an edge longer and seems to be just as easy to sharpen. I have two Delicas in hap40. They’re great slicers. The only other steel I edc these days is m4.
 
I know you made your choice but S30V is awesome imo. I've had a slab of it on my hip a few years now and have zero complaints. Even with what most would call abuse it holds up great. Cutting trim free and hitting nails, no problem. Cutting glazing free from glass, it's fine. Get into to much sheetrock and it can get dull but still function. And gypsum is kinda abrasive. I just hit it on the DMT very fine (green) and I'm back in business.
 
21bangbang said:
I know you made your choice but S30V is awesome imo. I've had a slab of it on my hip a few years now and have zero complaints. Even with what most would call abuse it holds up great. Cutting trim free and hitting nails, no problem. Cutting glazing free from glass, it's fine. Get into to much sheetrock and it can get dull but still function. And gypsum is kinda abrasive. I just hit it on the DMT very fine (green) and I'm back in business.
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I have to agree. I love S30V also. I have several knives in it, and just recently I have been carrying my BM Proper in S30V a lot. It does perform quite nice. I just didn't have any way to compare it to HAP40. From what I am reading though, I am *really* looking forward to my new WC Delica :)
 
xraso said:
I believe I have narrowed down my next purchase, and I am just waffling on the blade steel.

I can choose either HAP40 or S30V from Spyderco. What is everyone's experience with them. I would have to say my primary concern is edge retention. I don't currently have a Spyderco in either metal, so all input is appreciated!
Click to expand...

How are you at sharpening? Both steels should be sharpened with diamond stones but s30v you can probably get away without them.

HAP40 is much harder to sharpen than s30v so it is important you keep the edge touched up and not let it get too dull unless you want to spend a long time sharpening.
 
Lapedog said:
How are you at sharpening? Both steels should be sharpened with diamond stones but s30v you can probably get away without them.

HAP40 is much harder to sharpen than s30v so it is important you keep the edge touched up and not let it get too dull unless you want to spend a long time sharpening.
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S30V is a breeze to sharpen, and I have done a few harder tool steels with no problem (I use diamonds on anything above vg-10 or so).

Does HAP40 form a burr comparable to other harder steels, or is it one of those PITA hard to get a burr steels?
 
I like seeing the posts comparing the two steels. I have a Stretch that is very slicy and has a very sharp edge. I haven t used it enough to have a good feel for edge retention.
 
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