A2 Vs 3v, A2 Sharpness: Even being hard/tough steel, A2 is easy to sharpend/grind due to the low volume of chromium carbide in it. Here's a little chart that I'm going to try and keep up with comparing knife steels. Bar graph comparing the physical characteristics of edge retentions, toughness and corrosion resistance of the knife steel grades O1, A2, D2, PSB 27, PM 3V, PD #1, 416, 440C, 154CM, PM 154, CPM S35VN, CPM S30V, CTS XHP, CTS-204 and CPM Magnacut. On the other hand, 3V shines in toughness. Thx Ok guys i need help ive been looking at the bravo 1. Same question for a bushcraft knife? With edge retention between 3V and 4V, toughness like A2, good stainless properties and easy to field sharpen its hard to beat the balance CPM 154 brings to the bush. Knives made with 3V will often be factory sharpened at a 150 grit finish rather than the standard 600 grit, resulting in a more satin appearance. A2 will be less expensive than 3v, and be largely outperformed by it on paper. Who uses it: Bark River Knives, Zero Tolerance. Heat treating 3V as with S30V requires a fast quench, and most people who heat treat it know that. It holds an edge aas well as anything out there. The Role of Heat Treat Even the best steel won’t perform well without a proper heat treatment. This comprehensive guide breaks down their chemical compositions, heat-treatment ranges, typical hardness levels, and performance characteristics. Is This steel sufficient? O1= Have no clue about it. Heat Treatment - Heat treatment effects the edge retention and toughness and is determined by the knifemaker. CPM-3V is intended to be used at 58/60 HRC in applications where chronic breakage and chipping are encountered in other tool steels, but where the wear properties of a high alloy steel are required. Even with a belt sander, the 3V takes noticeably more time to sharpen, however, the greater toughness, edge holding and corrosion resistance make it my choice between the two. If you don't heat treat it properly, you really don't have CPM-3V. So since I've had both a well used A2 woodland and a 3v woodland for a little bit here is my opinion of the 2. FYI3V can be used with feroocium fire steels. Quality Damascus can run upward of $55 per inch, making the cost, IMO, prohibitive for a user knife. A2 Corrosion Resistance: With 5. But, how does it hold an edge compared to D2 and O-1? I would assume it does not chip. It is far tougher than A2 which is no slouch in that department. Compare CPM 3V vs D2 steel with data on edge retention, toughness & corrosion resistance. The thinnest knife I have in 3V is a little LT frontierand the edge has not chipped. So how does 3V stand up against A2? 3V has a leg up on A2 in toughness and wear resistance which means in the field it should hold its edge longer but will be more challenging to sharpen once the edge has deteriorated. I wouldn't buy A2 or 3V from BRKT as I'm convinced they overheat their knives at some point and their heat treats suck. Would you choose A2 or 80crv2 for a general camp knife and why? How do they compare. I have got the A2 woodland to shaving sharp and I mean it touches the hair in my arm in any direction and they fall out from fright! With any kind of use though it needs touching up. World's Best Bushcraft Knife! // Bark River Gunny Scandi - CPM 3V Will Silva and 11 others 12 reactions · 4 comments John Williams Red Beard Grind 15w · Public Just saw your video about boots, 3V, A2 or plain old 1095 from TOPS, ESEE, or Kabar for fixed blades Reply reply PURRP_SLAYZ • It's a solid choice if rust/stain resistance isn't a factor in your needs, but I prefer A2, Cruwear or 3V. It can't be used with natural flint. ** Provisional allocation in accordance with No. I've got experience with O1 and 56100 in true scandis and found both to need a Per the manufacturer sleipner was an attempt to make something between d2 and a2, tougher than d2 but with more wear resistance than a2. Both have proven track records in fixed blades, survival knives, and bushcraft tools, but they also have key differences that may sway your decision. What should I expect from 3V in edge retention compared to A2? Thanks I have Bravo 1s in 3v and A2. Crucible: CPM-M4, CPM-3V, CPM-4V Generic: A2, O1, D2, 1095 Each steel is evaluated in terms of four performance characteristics: edge retention, toughness, corrosion resistance, and ease of sharpening. 52100 is my overall favorite when it is forged by Ed Fowler, but 3V is my second favorite. * Series allocated to an international organization. A2 Steel vs 3v Many also consider the 3v as the ideal steel for a fixed blade knife (especially when the price is also factored in). Look at 1095, 3V, or A2. 5 for a long time and will pull the trigger on it the problem is i cant decide between a2 and 3v i know both are good steels ive just been trying to do research to see if the rust resistance of 3v is really that significant over a2 because i What would you guys go for? CPM 3V = tough + hard to sharpen+ cant be used with fir steels A2=Nice , I have a knife in this steel. Can someone help me with this? I was thinking buying a fixed blade general utility knife in 3V but want some feedback, first. That said, the difference may not be easily distinguishable to a user. However, CPM CruWear contains more carbon than 3V steel making it better in hardness, edge retention, and wear retention. What are your thoughts on A2 vs 3V for thin edges? Will one keep a thin edge longer without taking chips? I'm not talking so much about wear resistance, but more about how stable a thin edge would be in each steel. I've plunged my 3V benchmade puukko many times into dirt to dig up plants, and it has gotten no visible chips. The knife I am ordering comes with a 3mm blade thickness. I have (3)-3V Bark River Knives and countless A2 versions. The most commonly used prefix is in color. But what sets them apart, and which one is the best fit for your needs? Dec 24, 2010 · CPM 3V offers impact toughness greater than A2, D2, Cru-Wear or CPM M4, approaching the levels of S7 and other shock resistant grades, while providing excellent wear resistance, high hardness and thermal stability for coatings. If you're not pushing the boundaries of the knife, don't mind sharpening, and don't mind cleaning, drying and protecting the steel, then you won't see a meaningful performance bump from 3V over A2. Secondary Prefix Assignments are in BLUE. I had a 3V blade from them and it rusted to **** in a hurry. . To clarify. A8 Charpy impact force at 59rc 160 joules or (118fp) Just for reference CPM 3V charpy impact force at 59rc 100 joules S7 tool steel charpy impact at 58rc 165 joules L6 tool steel chatpy impact at 58 rc (120fp) A2 tool steel charpy impact at 60rc (40fp) 3V is an air hardening steel, that is why it has the high alloy content, though in general there are benefits from more aggressive quenches even on steels which will air harden. Actual experience would Comprehensive comparisons of different knife steels - properties, characteristics, and use cases Toughness measurements of a range of popular steels used by forging bladesmiths, and an explanation for what makes one better than another. S5 > S7 in toughness but S7 should be plenty for anything. Either steel will work well, although the 3V will rust before the S45VN will (although 3V doesn’t rust like 1095 or A2 does). With diamond the 3V is not bad and it holds an edge so long that is does not need sharpening much, just stropping every now and then. Between radio communication conferences As a specialty steel supplier, we pride ourselves on delivering top-quality steel manufactured in the USA that meets the highest standards. This isn’t exactly how steel works; different properties are difficult to increase without affecting something else. The Mn, Si and have limited effect of the steel's properties, but act to prevent oxygen being absorbed by the melt in the tundish, and improve the casting characteristics. Ok tell me the benefits of M390 over 3V. Disadvantages: Relatively more difficult to sharpen than CPM 3V and predecessor tool steels like A2, not as tough as CPM 3V or CPM 4V. View attachment Compared to CPM 3V, A2 contains additional manganese, silicon, and carbon. Kitchen Use: Stainless is a must. In this video I will show 3V is a phenomenal steel when it's done right. Because of it's toughness and strength you can use thinner pieces of 3V to make big knives. 60-63HRC depending upon intended use. Honestly, either one will serve you well and the differences will be minimal. Ok guys i need help ive been looking at the bravo 1. O aço para ferramentas A2 e o CPM 3V são duas escolhas populares, cada uma com For example, increasing edge retention from Z-Tuff to 3V (100 mm in the CATRA test) led to a drop in over 10 ft-lbs, a similar drop is seen by going from 3V to CPM-CruWear. Learn which steel suits your needs best. It will hold an edge better than either A2 or D2. A2 vs 3v edge retention test Bill Cutting Bark River Knives 9y · Public Interesting edge retention test between A2 and 3v in the first 3 min. From what I understand, CPM 3V is basically a direct upgrade in every way from A2 except maybe in ease of sharpening, but 3V really isn’t hard to sharpen either. It replaced most of the vanadium in 3V with niobium, which resulted in finer carbides for improved toughness with the same level of wear resistance. It is also easier to get a super sharp edge with Nitro V. CPM 3V is an excellent choice for stamping and blanking opera-requiring high toughness. It matches the toughness and the edge retention of A2, while it’s slightly easier to sharpen. Jun 28, 2025 · A2 tool steel and CPM 3V are two popular choices, each with their own strengths and weaknesses. We also carry hard-to-find aerospace alloys like 15-5PH, 300M, 4340 VAR, N155, and Greek Ascoloy. Nitro-V offers great edge retention and wear resistance. But I have data. Click on the underlined prefix to go to the primary. Amateur Radio Primary Prefix is in RED--the mostly commonly used and most frequently cited in country lists. VG-10, AUS-10, or even softer steels like X50CrMoV15 are common and practical. A good chart helps you make comparisons based on your use case, not hype. I would be very happy about an answer skyknife Well it only took like 12 years. A2 is also a great tool steel that is well-known for its super toughness, although it doesn't hold an edge as well as D2. You are going to get someone to tell you that 3V rusts easily, I have not found that to be the case and I have 4 Fehrman knives in CPM-3V. CPM-3V like any other steel requires proper heat treating. When comparing CPM 3V steel vs. Does the S35vn have a solid or skeletonized tang? Anyone have weight comparisons between "Premium" vs "Value" Steels Many knife enthusiasts are concerned with categorizing steels as "excellent," "good," "poor," etc. On the other hand, the A2 is much more corrosion-resistant. CPM CruWear vs 3V steel Both CPM 3V steel and CPM CruWear steel are produced by the same company, Crucible industries using the CPM process. S19. 5% of chromium, A2 steel offers good corrosion resistance, not the best compared to other carbon Steel. 3V for versions with “-3” in the suffix and for +VS = 5V for versions with “-5” in the suffix. Cpm-3v vs a2 for a forest survival/bushcraft knife? Trying to decide between lt wright gen6 scandi signature edition in a2 or lt wright illuminous 5 in cpm-3v, give me some arguments to which one to get? Thanks!!! Many people have asked me how A2 compares to CPM-3V in corrosion resistance. No experience with 8670, but I have a fair amount of hunting experience in the last several years with A2 and 3V both are excellent field use steels. Am I odd that I prefer the A2 due to I love to watch the natural patina form from use? Just don’t get that same natural beauty forming on the さて、A2鋼の特徴ですが―― 鋼材はA2工具鋼で刃にねばりがあり、研ぎやすい鋼材です。 A-2鋼材は切れ味抜群ですが、少し錆びに弱いのでしっかり手入れしください。 A2工具鋼ナイフ より とのことです。 Temperature accuracy specifications apply for +VS = 3. I was told that the 3v is thicker towards the edge of the blade, and the tang is less skeletonized to balance out the heavier blade. Our inventory includes air-melted and powder-metal tool steels, high-speed steels, and martensitic stainless steels. But then if you look at an increase of 100 mm in the CATRA test from Maxamet to Rex 121 the toughness only drops 1-2 ft-lbs. I grew up on Buck's famous 420HC as well as other's AUS6/8. They A2 is a great steel and is a little easier to resharpen than the 3V. Anyone have experience with CPM 3V? I know it is tough. The A2 feels lighter than the 3v. A2 Wear Resistance: A2 has a high hardness, which makes it great for wear resistance. If 3V does that, then sleipner is worsesleipner is an improved D2, and D2 has some toughness, but definitely not known for it. Stropping will keep that from happening. But when you add in toughness, the other steels fall far behind. Advantages: Relative toughness, wear resistance. 3V Modified with Niobium In the first article published to this website I wrote about a modified 3V steel that was patented but never released. Compared with A2 tool steel, CPM-3V will hold an edge better, but sharpening can be a chore, often requiring a harder abrasive with which to sharpen it. A2 vs o1 Steel The o1 is another good all-around performer. They're organized roughly with the best… Cpm-3v vs a2 for a forest survival/bushcraft knife? Trying to decide between lt wright gen6 scandi signature edition in a2 or lt wright illuminous 5 in cpm-3v, give me some arguments to which one to get? Thanks!!! Quando se trata de escolher o aço para ferramentas certo para o seu projeto, a decisão pode ser assustadora. CPM 1V is an upgrade to H13 with higher hardness and better temper resistance for longer die life. Cost: Check out the cost of an A2 blade versus one in CPM 3v, Elmax, Cruwear or any number of super steels. 33. 5 for a long time and will pull the trigger on it the problem is i cant decide between a2 and 3v i know both are good steels ive just been trying to do research to see if the rust resistance of 3v is really that significant over a2 because i So I own 4 different Barkies (2 in A2 and 2 in CPM 3V). Nitro-V vs CPM 3V Nitro-V is stainless steel with great corrosion resistance due to the added nitrogen, but 3V is not stainless steel and will rust when used in corrosive environments. CPM 3V is an incredible steel. Hypothetically, in what situation would you need a knife steel tougher than CPM 3V? If a steel like A2 is not tough enough, you would want a big toughness upgrade like 5160 or S5, rather than moderate toughness upgrade like 3V. I was making that point in response to someone (a custom maker) saying they allowed it to air cool for awhile. The only negatives I've found with 3V vs A2, is the 3V is more expensive and takes longer to sharpen. A2 steel, 3V is superior in edge retention and toughness with a big win for CPM 3V. With 3v, you get much higher toughness and very good wear resistance, which is not an easy combination to find. All our steel is DFARS-compliant Compare CPM 3V vs D2 steel with data on edge retention, toughness & corrosion resistance. 3V is tougher and will take a little more work to sharpen if you ever let it get dull. Cpm-3v vs a2 for a forest survival/bushcraft knife? Trying to decide between lt wright gen6 scandi signature edition in a2 or lt wright illuminous 5 in cpm-3v, give me some arguments to which one to get? Thanks!!! 60 votes, 82 comments. I have personally had problems with staining on my A2. That's the first time I've ever had 3V rust and pit, out of the dozen+ knives I've had in it. Neither is regarded as a stainless, and neither is rustproof, the difference in the chromium content would probably have negligible significance in terms of corrosion resistance. It offers impact resistance greater than A2, D2, Cru-Wear, or CPM M4, and approaches the level of S7 and other shock resistant grades. May 19, 2012 · A2 is a good steel, but 3V has better edge holding, is much tougher, and is more stain resistant. I'm wondering the same thing here. I have an aurora in A2 and ordered its little brother in 3v. TA = -55°C to +125°C, unless otherwise noted. I heat treat in house using a cryo and low temper. Feel free to send me a link to a thread addressing this. Compare CPM 3V vs S30V steel based on toughness, edge retention & corrosion resistance with scientific data & real-world performance. Actual experience would N690 vs VG 10 N690 steel and VG 10 steel are closely related knife steels due to the presence of cobalt in both of their alloy composition, and both are popular due to their outstanding performances in edge retention and corrosion resistance. I only have one knife in it but would say that's accurate; comparing to cpm-d2, it doesn't stay sharp as long and rusts maybe a bit easier. opt4w, 6gvsy, y6hwal, qadfq, 3krpv, salx, qifs, umg3, nremx, i2pg,