My first s30v blade

[jzmtl]

So me and buddies drove down to plattesburg NY today. I was hoping to pick up some of the duracell 123a clearance at best buy and the $9 inova x5 at target. Well the 123a is sold out, and they'll have a target store sometime in october. Ha ha...

What I did remember to pick up thou is the s30v spyderco native at walmart. Took it home, checked angle, like my endura the front side is good 15°, while back is way more than that. Reprofiled back to 15° too, gave it my standard treatment (sharpmaker, 1500 grit sandpaper, carboard). Holy crap this thing gets sharp! I think it's even sharper than my centofante which is almost half the thickness and hollow ground. Very nice shape too, wish our walmart carry the same goodie knives american walmart does.   

It's now riding in my back pocket, I'll compare it with centofante that rides in front pocket and see which one I like better. If this thing had dual nested steel liner it'll be perfect.

[WhichDawg]

I've heard nothing but good things about s30v! I will get one this year, probably a folder too.
I'd also like to try some H-1 steels, Spyderco has some sweet ones of them too; http://spyderco.com/catalog/list.php?blade=H-1

[parnass]

Glad you were able to score a Spyderco Native at Walmart.    The local Walmart stores near me have not stocked Natives since I bought my plain edge Native there a few years ago.

[ducktapehero]

I was pretty amazed when I got my 1st "super steel". Mine was a Spyderco too, a Navigator 2 with VG-10 steel. That thing will hold an edge like crazy.

[crls1]

The best thing you can do with a S30V blade is to keep it shiny, and you'll never have a problem with it. If you let it go dull, then you´ll have to use a belt grinder to return it to its original shape.

Carlos

[jzmtl]

Why is that? I had to reprofile it a little when I got it, can't imagine sharpening it is any more diffifult.

[crls1]

Oh, then you should not have any trouble. Most people is not able to sharpen a S30V blade due to the lack of the proper tools, or skills, but seems you are well prepared

Carlos

[jzmtl]

Oh I see. I have a few ceramic and diamond sharpener at disposal.

I did try to reprofile VG10 blade with a hardware store stone before I got the diamond stuff, talk about MAJOR pain in the butt!

[crls1]

That is the point, VG10 is usually around 59 HRc, and S30V is around 60-61. Being harder, is also harder to sharpen, but also holds an edge longer.

Carlos

[Styerman]

S30V likes a fine finish , ie: finish it with a fine waterstone , fine ceramic , or a good strop . DMT fine diamond stone + strop is also good . Sharpened on course stuff , it will never be at its best . I use a Spyderco Sharpmaker , I backbevel and strop . In the field , I use a DMT double sided hone , the back of the hone pouch is loaded with abrasive and used as a strop .

Chris

[Smitty44]

My first s30v blade that I got is on a Sm Sebenza,only had it about a month or so,cuts real good,shredded more newspapers than I can count,but it got a real nasty scratch across the blade about a 1/2 in. up from the tip the first week that I got it,must have been a staple in one of those cardboard box's,but with that scare I know its mine now.