Strider S30-S35vn or 154cm

dickgrande

dickgrande

Joined
Sep 10, 2013
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112
I am in the market for a strider smf and am wondering which steel to go with. I use my knife for cutting hay rope, cardboard boxes, leather harnesses, lead ropes, rope ranch duty stuff. Any positive help would be much appreciated.
 
They use CPM 154, not 154CM. I haven't noticed any appreciable difference in any of the steels mentioned above. In real world use, I'm not sure there is much difference.
 
I have an SNG in S30V and it is great. Of the three steels mentioned, they are all good, can't really go wrong. S30V would probably be better for your situation as it holds a working edge longer than the CPM154 generally speaking.
 
I recall reading something Mick wrote on another forum stating something similar. My guess is they use what is available in the quantities needed.
 
Hey Dick G.,

I'm not trying to talk you out of an SMF. I have two SNGs with the Digi cam finish. They are not really great with cardboard, due to the finish and the fact that the grind behind the edge is relatively thicker. If you need something that holds an edge for a long time while remaining relatively tough, I would look into getting something with CPM M4. My Spyderco Gayle Bradley with that steel and thinner grind behind the edge will cut all day long and stay sharp. If you want something beefier, the Benchmade Contego may be a contender. I love Striders and carry my SNGs all the time. I'm sure you will love the SMF equally. I'm just not sure it is the best tool for the tasks listed.
 
I don't have any experience with Strider's, but out of those options the best overall choice (In my opinion) is S30V. Great for edge retention, and toughness. :)
 
I appreciate your insight. I have been also looking at overall durability and warranty. My knife will see rain, river crossings, drops in the mud, on rocks, blood, snow and I never know what will happen next. So it has to be tough as well as hold an edge. That is why I am looking at strider.


ryanh121 said:
Hey Dick G.,

I'm not trying to talk you out of an SMF. I have two SNGs with the Digi cam finish. They are not really great with cardboard, due to the finish and the fact that the grind behind the edge is relatively thicker. If you need something that holds an edge for a long time while remaining relatively tough, I would look into getting something with CPM M4. My Spyderco Gayle Bradley with that steel and thinner grind behind the edge will cut all day long and stay sharp. If you want something beefier, the Benchmade Contego may be a contender. I love Striders and carry my SNGs all the time. I'm sure you will love the SMF equally. I'm just not sure it is the best tool for the tasks listed.
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I've had S30V and CPM154 SMFs.

I preferred the CPM154 bladesteel. Took an edge much easier and quicker. I never really gave it any hard use so I can't speak from personal experience, but I know there's a video of the CPM154 cutting a tin can and still retaining a very good edge afterward.

Honestly though, you really can't go wrong. They're both proven steels.
 
dickgrande said:
Please understand my confusion then. Why all the types if there is no real difference?
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Different steels perform better or worse on varying items that you are cutting. Sometimes knife manufacturers complete a run of knives (say 500-1000 pieces) in a certain steel and then move onto a different steel because the previous one is no longer available from the foundry. There are many factors involved, most of which the end line user has no knowledge of nor do they care to know. Other reasons is the machinability of the steel, the cost of heat treating, etc.
 
I have SnGs in both steels. They are both excellent. I can certainly tell differences between steels. I like the S30V better but it is definitely harder to sharpen. CPM154 is a really nice steel though. S30V holds a "working edge" like no other. That is, when it gets "dull" it somehow still cuts really well. I can definitely get the CPM154 sharper quicker... and frikkin SHARP!

If you want durable though look at Chris Reeve Knives. The heat treat is a tad lower and in my experience very little is lost on edge retention with all the benefits of S30V/S35VN. And the blade is without a doubt tougher.
 
archieblue said:
I like the S30V better but it is definitely harder to sharpen. CPM154 is a really nice steel though. S30V holds a "working edge" like no other. That is, when it gets "dull" it somehow still cuts really well. I can definitely get the CPM154 sharper quicker... and frikkin SHARP!
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Agreed.
 
dickgrande said:
I appreciate your insight. I have been also looking at overall durability and warranty. My knife will see rain, river crossings, drops in the mud, on rocks, blood, snow and I never know what will happen next. So it has to be tough as well as hold an edge. That is why I am looking at strider.
Click to expand...

Have you considered a small fixed blade like the ESEE Izula or similar?

In my experience with these steels, they go dull, you sharpen, repeat.

Made me think a bit but what is your sharpening equipment and how well can you sharpen? What kind of edges do you like on your knives, mirror edges, working edges, course edges?

IMO S35VN and CPM-154 are a good balance between steel properties.

Here are some properties I am referring to:

http://www.smt.sandvik.com/en/products/strip-steel/strip-products/knife-steel/knife-steel-knowledge/
 
marthinus said:
Have you considered a small fixed blade like the ESEE Izula or similar?

In my experience with these steels, they go dull, you sharpen, repeat.

Made me think a bit but what is your sharpening equipment and how well can you sharpen? What kind of edges do you like on your knives, mirror edges, working edges, course edges?

IMO S35VN and CPM-154 are a good balance between steel properties.

Here are some properties I am referring to:

http://www.smt.sandvik.com/en/products/strip-steel/strip-products/knife-steel/knife-steel-knowledge/
Click to expand...

I use wet stones for sharpening and a leather belt in between. Since I am the only one that sharpens my knives I have nothing to compare myself to. My edges do last however. I have never seen a mirror polished edge except on you tube. My edges are working edges. I usually have a gun and a leatherman hanging off of my belt adding a fixed blade will just be too much. That is why I prefer a pocket knife.
 
dickgrande said:
I use wet stones for sharpening and a leather belt in between. Since I am the only one that sharpens my knives I have nothing to compare myself to. My edges do last however. I have never seen a mirror polished edge except on you tube. My edges are working edges. I usually have a gun and a leatherman hanging off of my belt adding a fixed blade will just be too much. That is why I prefer a pocket knife.
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What wetstones do you have? Some stones struggle to cut or remove a lot of metal when it comes to higher wear resistant steels and I remember some people struggling with S30V at one point. CPM-154 should, IMO, work better for you in that respect.

The Izula is a small fixed blade that can fit in your pocket and can really shrug off some hard use as if it is nothing.

I carry a similar setup to you sometimes, excluding the handgun.

Use the Leatherman for almost all tasks and the Izula when harder work is required or a thicker tip.

On a side note, here is my field sharpening kit.

[video=youtube;XWE14n6-8MU]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XWE14n6-8MU[/video]
 
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