MagnaCut vs S35VN

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353

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Feb 20, 2015
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I know they say MC is more or less on pair with S35VN in edge retention.

But with MC at 63-64 HRC and S35VN at 59-60 HRC are they still the same in that regard?

Help me here..
 
Larrin's charts indicate that you will get superior toughness and some additional corrosion resistance from MagnaCut. And MagnaCut will, at least theoretically, give you increased edge stability at the higher HRC, while still providing better toughness and corrosion resistance.

I think they're both fine steels, but if I had the choice, I'm personally opting for MC...because I'm a weak man.
 
I'm pretty happy with all the S35VN Cold Steel folders I've already got . :cool::thumbsup::thumbsup:

They just have come out with a MagnaCut Recon 1 , but at a very high premium . IMO , not worth it .

I don't have any MagnaCut yet .Waiting for something I want, at my kind of cheapskate price . 🤑
 
My personal experience, as one who likes thin edges, is that the MagnaCut with a bit higher hardness resists edge deformation better than S35VN. Because of that, for me MagnaCut holds a better edge overall despite similar wear resistance. This may not be as noticeable for people running steeper edge angles.

Both steels do sharpen up with about the same amount of effort, for me. MagnaCut deburrs perhaps a bit easier.

Both steels can make a fine knife.
 
The two steels have roughly equivalent wear resistance at the same hardness. So if the MagnaCut was higher in hardness it would have higher wear resistance and therefore resist edge wear better. In cutting tasks where significant forces are applied like rope cutting higher hardness would make more difference. Or the improved toughness may make more of a difference if microchipping was seen with the S35VN.
 
My take is this. The theoretical edge retention is only ever realized if it's solely from abrasion wear. In my experience with knives out of s3# steels they never get to show off that wear resistance because the edge failure mechanism is by deformation. Ie it rolls. Once it rolls, your done. Time to resharpen.

At those RCs, I'd bet magnacut has a significant advantage, that being edge strength to maintain its actual shape and not roll. That alone could be a huge advantage. I don't think you'd ever tell the difference between the two steels by abrasive wear, but could very well in edge strength.
 
Before magnacut was out, s35vn was my favorite all around steel. Magnacut changed that. It's basically supercharged s35vn

I decided last year to try a "1 year challenge" with a sebenza 31 in magnacut.

Challenge is carry the sebenza for a full 365 days without ANY maintenance. No cleaning, no sharpening, no stropping, nothing. Just using it. I'll be coming up on one year March 1st.

It's still shaving sharp and shows no signs of corrosion. There's some glinting on the edge in a few spots but nothing to cause concern.


I can't wait to be able to take it apart, clean it and sharpen it to really see how it performs after I get the factory edge off.
 
I've not purchased a blade in magnacut yet, but I've had quite a few with S35VN.

Edge retention has varied greatly from knife to knife and brand to brand. I only have three knives left in the steel.

Heretic does a really good job with it. I've used the hell out of my Manticore E and it is pretty easy to sharpen and keeps a pretty good edge. However, corrosion resistance is the best, which surprised me. Part of it is my fault.

While I'd like to try magnacut, there aren't currently any knives that I like in it. I'm waiting for a Spyderco Military 2 with it.

If the edge retention is better than S35VN, I'll be happy. It will never beat my Biryukov's in S125V or S390 in edge retention but I'll actually be able to sharpen it.
 
I find I'm using my magna cut OKC S&L Dive knife a lot, and lots of card board with only honing needed. Its a handy EDC knife I find with its blade thicker full tang than a FFG and the chisel end is great for prying things. Liked it so much I got another one while I can.
 
The only reason to not go to magnacut would be if there is a huge price differential(30% or more). If price is close, why wouldn't you go to the tougher of two steels at the same Rc, which means you can increase Rc by a few points and retain equal toughness.
 
I know White River does a great job with S35Vn on their knives. I have an FC7 that I beat the heck out of battening firewood on a motorcycle/camping trip around the UP of Mich last summer. After a clean up, the blade still looks new and is paper cutting sharp. I have no experience with MagnaCut, but the way it is gaining popularity in new knives, I'm sure I will be using it soon.
 
Surpriced to hear the chipin stories here.

Thought MC was really tuff.
 
I have had a slew of different steels through the years, some good, some not so good. I have used magnacut but not to the point where it needed sharpening, but the same goes for this Lander 2 in S35vn, which I am finding I like it's overall performace quite well, cuts great.

Untitled by GaryWGraley, on Flickr

But a lot like most of us here, we are never too far from a means of tuning an edge up, even if it actually doesn't need tuned up, it's just something we like to do. So a lot of different types of steel will be fine, although there are a few that fall short and after a brief try with them you know who to avoid.

G2
 
there’s a video on YT testing 2 different kershaws with magnacut and they didnt perform the same. his point being, even though they are both kershaws with the same steel doesn’t mean youll get the same performance.
 
DocJD said:
I'm pretty happy with all the S35VN Cold Steel folders I've already got . :cool::thumbsup::thumbsup:

They just have come out with a MagnaCut Recon 1 , but at a very high premium . IMO , not worth it .

I don't have any MagnaCut yet .Waiting for something I want, at my kind of cheapskate price . 🤑
Click to expand...
For me that was the PM2 DLC Salt series from Spyderco. I'm weak for PM2's, and a DLC magnacut blade and everything blacked out? 🤤
 
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