Spyderco 20CV? From exp, who has the best M390/20CV/204P game under ~350?

[Hashishiin]

I was having buyers remorse about selling my 20CV Yojimbo. I was thinking on getting another in the future as I have heard good things about the way they do theirs but have not personally experienced it - have you, from Spyderco?

Also which company making reasonably priced, not $400+ framelocks only, has the best or the worst 20CV or analogue in the game, conversely the worst, or rather, most inferior comparatively? Sometimes I feel like that "M390" is used just cause "Ooh, M390!" And not every single maker using it knows what they are doing with it fully. This is just a perception but I digress.

Opinions or recs?

 

[Barman1]

Really tough to beat Spyderco's 20CV.
I've got a few, (Yojimbo included) and my PM2 gets used quite a bit. Cut up cardboard and other semi-light duty things and there has been no need to resharpen yet, and the blade is absolutely spotless, not even a scratch! That's got to say something.

 

[irsh]

Buck does 20cv well in my opinion. My 112 SP cuts like the dickens.

 

[Alberta Ed]

My Spyderco Mule in 20CV has yet to show single spot of discoloration after several years use mostly in the kitchen, cutting acidic stuff like lemons, oranges, meat. Takes a very fine edge and holds it a long time.

 

[Slice O Life]

I don’t really like TRM because they are too thin for me in hand. That being said, the 20cv from them is on another level, but that is just my experience.

 

[marrenmiller]

From cardboard cut testing I've seen from outpost76 and others, Spyderco is probably the best and seems fairly consistent in performance. It looks like they focused in recent years on nailing their HT protocol, as it outperforms most other companies' M390 and is routinely registering around 61-62 HRC. I really loved my Manix 2 in M390; it was great to sharpen, held an edge nicely, and was hard enough to resist deformation when I accidentally slammed it on my countertop on one notable occasion.

TRM also seems to be a consistent performer, but like Slice O Life noted above, the knives themselves aren't my favorite for actual use. Shirogorov and Koenig also seems to do a great job, unsurprisingly, but they had better do a great job considering their price points.

As for worst, there seem to be many Chinese microbrands pumping out cheap M390 knives that don't hold up well in use. Independent of allegations of low hardness, Lionsteel has also had a poor reputation among those who test their knives for edge retention.

 

[HexY3co]

I'd look at the ZT stuff as well. Usually a good value.

 

[AntDog]

Benchmade.

 

[Locutus D'Borg]

If you are into OTFs, Microtech does great 204P, 20CV, & M390. I have California legal ones (2" blade) in all of these. I use them to break down cardboard, etc.

 

[oldmanwilly]

I'm thoroughly enjoying my Endura in 20CV. It takes a keen edge without much effort (using diamonds), and holds it for a long time. It was a bit brittle at first: I chipped the edge a little while using it to stab weep holes in a tin planter, so I blame myself and not the steel. But I've had no trouble since then and have been using it on food, cardboard, whittling, and everything in between.

 

[Swp321]

I think Spydercos heat treat whether done in house or not is up there with the best in the business across the board with their steel selections

 

[norcalAF]

I enjoy my PM2 in brown G10 and black dlc 20CV!

 

[Jester60]

I'm enjoying Lionsteel. Usually picked them up on the secondary market here and other places. Great value.

 

[pjart]

I had a WE Banter with 20CV; very easy to chip unfortunately. Never had a problem with my ZTs in 20 CV.

 

[Delgadonine]

Hashishiin, are you asking about only folders? What about fixed blades?

My Hinderer XM-24 and Emmett both have CPM20CV. Each is outstanding.

You mentioned a price. The former is far higher in price than the latter. Clarification, please.

 

[minimag03]

I've heard Benchmade does their 20CV and M390 different. Their 20CV is (or was) ran softer than M390 (60+rc). This info was literally in their promo materials a few years ago.

Engineer's Perspective on youtube has some good content on Spyderco M390 vs Benchmade 20CV.

 

[rustinxcohle]

I've heard Benchmade does their 20CV and M390 different. Their 20CV is (or was) ran softer than M390 (60+rc). This info was literally in their promo materials a few years ago.

Engineer's Perspective on youtube has some good content on Spyderco M390 vs Benchmade 20CV.

Interesting. Maybe I should get another bugout to compare. I mean, no more knives this year, but this would be for science and stuff, so I guess I'm good.

 

[Malty Falcon]

Would anybody really believe that two manufacturers make the same Supersteel so differently that you could distinguish them?

Perhaps you could tell them apart when used in industrial tool steel applications. But cutting a couple of boxes and ropes and apples, I don't believe in differences to be meaningful. Get the knife that appeals to you.

 

[minimag03]

Would anybody really believe that two manufacturers make the same Supersteel so differently that you could distinguish them?

Perhaps you could tell them apart when used in industrial tool steel applications. But cutting a couple of boxes and ropes and apples, I don't believe in differences to be meaningful. Get the knife that appeals to you.

I think people can tell the difference more when they're sharpening the two steels, not necessarily while the steels are being used to cut things. Those opinions seems to be more prevalent with freehand sharpeners. But I tend to believe (some of) them because they're much more experienced than myself.

 

[353]

Been very pleased with this Delica: