Thoughts on Benchmade's S30V?

[clanderson]

I've been using my Benchmade 943 for about two years now and I'm pretty unimpressed with their S30V. In fact, I think it's pretty poor even when compared to their 154CM in terms of edge retention and possibly even toughness.

When compared to my Bos heat-treated S30V by Buck, there's no competition; the Buck S30V blows the Benchmade out of the water in almost every way. The Buck can form and retain a nice toothy edge (which is very difficult on my 943) and doesn't fold or dull nearly as easily as my 943. Strangely, the 943 is slightly more difficult to sharpen than some of my softer steel blades, but I can't help but feel like I'm using a knife made of cheese sometimes.

Did I get a poorly heat treated Benchmade or is this kind of the norm with their S30Vs? I absolutely love the blade shape and overall profile and mechanics of this knife, but the steel is really leaving me wanting.

 

[Mo2]

How are you sharpening it? That could be the issue. It could be the edge is burnt too. Its possible it's poorly heat treated too. But who knows.

Have you thought about sending it into Benchmade warranty or getting a replacement blade?

 

[Alberta Ed]

I've been impressed by Benchmade's S30V -- my Mini-Rukus (#160) for some reason is easier to sharpen than my other S30V blades (Buck Custom Shop 112, Para 2), and it holds that edge a long time. Same for Benchmade's D2 (710, Cabela's Grippie). It seems finer grained (close to CTS-XHP), or maybe it's the blade geometry. On the other hand, I don't care for Benchmade's CP-154 in my Grippie.

 

[JD Spydo]

I hope I'm not doing an "apple versus orange" comparison but the title of this thread did get my attention. Because many years back ( late 90s) I was just getting into premium grade knives and Benchmade was some of the very first I owned and I still own some of them. But one of my favorite BM models during that time/era were the Boguszewski Spike models 640, 650 and auto model 1000. I had several of these at one point. I had two of the model 640 which both were supposed to be made with ATS-34 blade steel at that time. One of the spikes couldn't hold an edge hardly anytime at all. You could do one cutting job and it was pretty much no longer slicing paper.

Whereas the other model 640 Boguszewski Spike held a very wicked edge and I sharpened both knives by the same methods. And I do pride myself in being an above average in my sharpening skills and I do use high quality stones and sharpening tools. But those two models were like night and day. Even the dealer I got them from said he had a similar problem with another BM model made during that time and he offered to send it back for me. But I ended up trading it for some tools a guy I knew from the gun shows offered me. And yes I was up front with him about it not being able to hold an edge as good. But he didn't seem to mind for some strange reason.

Throughout the years I've had two other knife friends testify to the same problem as this guy who started this thread. I don't remember the exact models but some of them they say just couldn't hold an edge at all. I've only ever owned one BM model that had S30V blade steel and it was all right>> but S30V is not one of my personal favorites anyway for a few reasons. But it is interesting that this topic comes up from time to time

 

[bgentry]

One of my S30V blades (from Spyderco) didn't seem to hold an edge worth a darn when I first got it. I tried the "cut the edge off" technique, by cutting, very lightly, directly into a sharpening stone, as if I was trying to cut the stone in half. After re-sharpening, it seemed to make a pretty good difference in the edge quality and retention.

Now, I've never been impressed with S30V and this was several years ago. So nothing definitive. But it might be worth a shot.

Brian.

 

[willc]

BM’s s30v has been good to me.
Right now the only BM I have in that steel is a Grip and I am happy with the performance.

clanderson Have you sharpened the knife more than a few times?

Across the board I have noticed almost every knife edge holds up better after a few sharpenings.

 

[JD Spydo]

BM’s s30v has been good to me.
Right now the only BM I have in that steel is a Grip and I am happy with the performance.

clanderson Have you sharpened the knife more than a few times?

Across the board I have noticed almost every knife edge holds up better after a few sharpenings.

And that's a good point "willc" because I've also had a lot of Benchmade knives have blades of custom knifemaker quality too. And my debacle with a couple of BM blades was considerably a long time ago>> but I did find it strange that he had the same problem with the same company just like I described in my previous post.

I also agree with "bgentry" that S30V is overrated. And I'm a big fan of many of Crucibles blade steels over the years too. I've always had much better luck with Spyderco's VG-10 than I have with S30V unfortunately. And I base that on using over 4 different blades made with that S30V.

I'm wishing now that I would have just sent the knife back to Benchmade instead of trading it away. But over the years I've had at least 3 other guys tell me that they've also had edge retention problems with some BM blade steels. And I'm in no way trying to knock BM because some of the Benchmade models I still own are big favorites of mine.

I have heard over the years that there are certain blade steels that are very difficult to heat treat. D-2 is one that immediately comes to mind. But I'm sure there are others. My advice to the guy that started the thread would be just to send it back to BM. I'm sure they will do what it takes to remedy the problem. They are a very reputable company.

 

[clanderson]

Really strange stuff. Thanks for the replies everybody.

I have indeed sharpened (and twice reprofiled) this blade. All of my sharpening is done by hand with Shapton glass stones or similar ceramic abrasive (ceramic kitchen hone or spyderco portable sharpener). It has never been heated past hot-car-on-a-sunny-day temperature.

As I mentioned, I absolutely love everything else about this knife. The steel is just a constant disappointment. Is there any other "high grade" steel available for the BM943?

 

[The Mastiff]

The Buck S30V is a point or two higher hardness wise with a different heat treat. That just might be what you are noticing.

Joe

 

[lonestar1979]

Bucks s30v is probably better heat treated but sharpen it few times to get to the good steel.Benchmade has pretty good heat treat on 154rcm and d2,and also maybe the specific knife was not treated properly.I had problem with spyderco delica that was softer than some of their other vg10blades.