VG10 and S30V differences

[Smudge]

So is there any significant differences between these steels? I do not know a whole bunch about steels. And if so, what are the differences? I the type of person that rarely uses a knife, but like to carry one nonetheless. Thanks

[Axlis]

I don't know evough about steels to tell you the chemical make up or anything, but I've used both to get a feel for performance. I prefer the S30v over VG-10 anyday. I've always heard that S30v is harder to sharpen than VG-10, but mine has touched up just fine. Also, VG-10 seems to have some strange staining problem when it touches my skin, maybe I'm related to Hannibal :p. You will probably see more votes for VG-10 around here, but S30v is the stuff in my opinion.

P.S. I still suggest the Walmart Native, if you don't like it, WM has an easy return policy, can't hurt!

[Havatoo]

If you don't mind, could you tell me which one is more rust resistant? One of my next Spydercos might be the Swick so I'm curious how likely such a knife, worn next to the skin, would be subject to rust? Usually I put Break Free or some kind of rust preventative on my knives but its not very good to wear an oily knife next to ones skin or under a shirt.

[gull wing]

If you don't use a knife much, then S30V may be the one. It holds an edge longer than any knife I have. (just touch it up now and then on your Sharpmaker)

I like VG10 a lot because it seems to have an aggressive bite when cutting wood.

Both are great steels, either will do you nicely.

[smcfalls13]

If you don't mind, could you tell me which one is more rust resistant?

I think my experience may be different from most, but when I went the beach on vacation this past summer, I had two knives that went with me, a VG-10 Waved Endura, and a S30V Dodo.

At the end of the week, the Waved Endura was still perfectly clean, but the Dodo, had very tiny(I mean tiny) rust spots on the blade.

But, results may vary ;)

[The Deacon]

Both are excellent steels, to the point where the most "important" difference is probably that VG-10 is a Japanese steel, and thus used by Spyderco in models manufactured in Japan, while S30V is an American steel and used in the models made in the USA. Thus you will rarely, if ever, have the need to choose between them on a given model. As luck would have it, four of the six Spyderco models I most frequently carry (Stretch, Persian, Kiwi, Calypso Jr.) happen to use VG-10.

I would suggest you base your purchase decision(s) on how the knife feels in your hand, and whether you feel you can carry it comfortably. As an example, I tend to rule out knives much over 4.75" closed length and, as a general rule, will take a thin knife over a thicker one of the same size. Both of those preferences are due to the fact that I prefer to carry my knife loose in my back pocket. I have short thumbs, so I prefer a knife where the radius of rotation (distance between center of blade pivot and center of thumb hole) is relatively short, even though that generally has the side effect of reducing leverage, and thus increasing the force reqired to open the knife.

I am not suggesting you use my parameters, but rather that you give some thought to what might be important to you.

[999]

In my limited personal experience, I have found VG-10 slightly easier to sharpen but the 'working edge' on S30V seems to hold longer.

I'm still not sure which I prefer-I wouldn't avoid a knife with either steel.

[d.g.g]

Here is some steel info that covers many different types of steel used for knife construction. Also is a link that discusses knife construction and the relative importance of steel in constructing a good useable knife.

http://www.ajh-knives.com/metals.html

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=368828