VG-10 vs CPM S30V

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HoosierQ

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Feb 9, 2010
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OK

I am new to the "steel wars". I know that it is different steels for different uses. So here is my use:

A folder that will see EDC, outdoor use, but not take a terrible beating. I have plenty of 1095 fixed knives for that.

I read in some contexts how bad VG-10 is compated to D2 and CPM S30V but then I hear that VG-10 takes a much finer edge and that CPM S30V chips.

Oh for a 1095 folder with a good heat treat!

Is VG-10 a good medium duty steel for a folder? Is CPM S30V really that much better? Should I really care between the two if I stick to a reputable maker?
 
My experience with S30V is that it's usually just the factory edge that chips. It doesn't seem to chip as much once I've sharpened it a few times myself. My honest opinion of the two is S30V is only slightly better than VG-10. Both are excellent. I have complete faith in VG-10.
 
S30V is superior to VG-10 in every aspect except cost. I've never seen it chip but if it does its probably a factory edge thing and will disappear after a sharpening or two. S30V from a reputable company with good heat treat ie Spyderco/CRK will not chip from what I've seen. Also S30V is a better hard use steel imo. That being said VG-10 is my favorite overall steel and a superb cheaper alternative to S30V and my go to choice for edc purpose folders. Basically go with whatever you want and you wont regret either choice.
 
vg10 is certainly a real good using alloy. s30 may hold an edge a little longer but in my opinion it doe'st get any sharper. if you are going to be in the boonies a while take a dmt diafold in blue & red diamond & you can touch your edge up. maybe a red & green diamond. dennis
 
ditto to zrfunited on the gec 1095. at work i carry a spydie in vg10 ,s30, or zdp. in the sticks my gec pioneer & musk in 1095 are the go to. incidentally i find the gec 1095 easier to sharpen on diamonds. this is some tuff 1095.
dennis
 
I love vg-10, it takes a good edge easily and keeps it for while, then it's real quick and easy to sharpen although the burr can get a little sloppy. Haven't had to sharpen s30v yet, but I do know it keeps a good edge.

I too would like a nice folder in 1095 with a good HT.

C
 
If all above listed steels came on identical knives and were priced the same, I would go for S30V, otherwise I would choose VG-10.
 
One thing I don't like about S30V is that the time you spend getting it razor sharp is wasted because it quickly loses that edge. I find that for light tasks such as opening packages and a little out of the house food chores that VG-10 keeps the razor edge a little more than S30V.

OTOH, when you use them more, especially on abrasive and harder materials, S30V does keep that "working edge" a lot longer than VG-10.
 
VG10 doesn't seem to keep a working edge as long as S30V but it's much easier to sharpen.
Nothin' wrong with VG10, IMO.
I'll stick with S30V in a demanding environment.
 
To me: both steels are great. I don't feel that I am in a disadvantage if I am using a VG 10 or a S30V blade.

It really just comes down to preference.
 
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I agree with Ronindan - if both VG10 and S30V have good heat-treats, it comes down to preference.

In my experience, I have found VG10 to be a bit easier to sharpen and it takes as good an edge as S30V. Since I don't mind sharpening my knives, I prefer VG10 for an EDC knife. If you will be cutting extensively with the knife, I'd probably pick S30V. I've found that it keeps a working edge noticeably longer than VG10, especially when cutting abrasive material (ie. cardboard). If you're just cutting food and the occasional box/rope, VG10 is a good choice. It might even save you a couple of dollars.
 
I like VG10, even looks better(a lot more shine, if you like your knives that way). For light chores go for a spydie delica, VG10 and around 50 bucks...will last forever.
 
It is said that S30v never really loses its utility edge. I don't know how true that is but I think that is important if you don't have access to a sharpener for long periods of time. That being said, the extra edge retention and toughness of S30v is worth it. I own 4 S30v knives and my only VG-10 is my Spyderco Ladybug. It really is just the models I like are offered in S30v and not VG-10. The choice between these two would not make or break my decision to purchase the knife. If this matters to you at all, S30v knives are generally produced in the United States, whereas VG-10 is produced in Japan,

In sum I will echo many of the above posts that it comes down to preference, but my choice would be S30v.

P.S. Could someone chime in with the differences between the two in corrosion resistance-something I generally consider in all knives (mostly irrelevant if you take care of them).
 
HoosierQ said:
OK

I am new to the "steel wars". I know that it is different steels for different uses. So here is my use:

A folder that will see EDC, outdoor use, but not take a terrible beating. I have plenty of 1095 fixed knives for that.

I read in some contexts how bad VG-10 is compated to D2 and CPM S30V but then I hear that VG-10 takes a much finer edge and that CPM S30V chips.

Oh for a 1095 folder with a good heat treat!

Is VG-10 a good medium duty steel for a folder? Is CPM S30V really that much better? Should I really care between the two if I stick to a reputable maker?
Click to expand...

Ummm... as the likely author of that post, let me clarify. It isn't a matter of "bad" and "good". It is a matter of "good" and "better".

If I actually take the effort to measure side by side, both D2 and S30V will outperform VG10 in edge retention. That by no means is meant as an assertion that VG10 is not a top alloy for EDC. In hard use, you would likely notice the difference, but I'll bet that 95% of the users on this forum would not notice the difference, because their EDC usage would not be pushing the limits of what VG10 can do.

Personally, I often carry a Buck 301 in 420HC, because that alloy at that hardness works just fine for my daily needs.
 
HoosierQ said:
Should I really care between the two if I stick to a reputable maker?
Click to expand...

I honestly don't think you'll regret choosing either steel from a good maker. They are both excellent and will perform well.

I'll also add another vote for GEC's 1095 slipjoints. They are great users. If you're looking for something more modern (with pocket clip, one hand opening, etc.) but that still uses carbon steel, take a look at the Spyderco Gayle Bradley. It's a really cool design with M4 steel.
 
I'm surprised the OP didn't mention 154CM, which IMHO is a great steel too. Personally, I'm not really a fan of S30V just because I find it harder to sharpen. I do have a few knives with it just because there was no other option. I prefer 154CM or VG10. VG10 takes a wicked edge pretty quickly too. If you're not the best at sharpening, go with VG10.
 
After having owned knives in both steels I have to say I'm fine with either. I love the clean and fine edge VG10 takes, and the fact it strops well. However I have more knives in S30. Why? because the other factors of a folding knife (blade grind, weight, locking mechanism, brand) use S30v. I'm happy with the steel, and it has been fine to work with.

When you move up to that category of steels I'm more concerned about other aspects in the knife.
 
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