When it comes to choosing a steel for a knife, there are many options to consider. Two popular choices among knife enthusiasts are 7Cr17MoV and CPM-S30V. In this article, we will explore the composition and characteristics of each steel and compare them to determine which one may be the better choice for your specific needs.
Short Answer:
7Cr17MoV is an affordable stainless steel that offers moderate hardness and edge retention. CPM-S30V, on the other hand, is a premium stainless steel that offers exceptional edge retention, hardness, and corrosion resistance. Overall, CPM-S30V is the superior choice between the two for high-performance knives.
Now we can look in-depth at each steel, including their composition, how the steels compare in-depth, and the best knives in each steel.
Deep Dive on 7Cr17MoV
7Cr17MoV is a popular stainless steel that is often used in budget knives. Its steel composition includes:
– 0.75% carbon
– 17% chromium
– 0.75% molybdenum
– 1% manganese
– 0.1% vanadium
– 0.08% silicon
– 0.3% nickel
This composition gives the steel moderate hardness and edge retention but is not as durable as some higher-end steels. However, 7Cr17MoV is resistant to corrosion and is easy to sharpen.
Deep Dive on CPM-S30V
CPM-S30V is a premium stainless steel that is known for its exceptional edge retention, hardness, and corrosion resistance. Its steel composition includes:
– 1.45% carbon
– 14% chromium
– 4% molybdenum
– 2% vanadium
– 0.5% niobium
– 0.5% cobalt
This composition gives the steel superior edge retention and hardness compared to other steels, making it an excellent choice for high-performance knives. Additionally, CPM-S30V is highly resistant to corrosion and wear, making it a highly durable steel.
In-depth answer
When comparing 7Cr17MoV and CPM-S30V, the most important thing to consider is what you will be using your knife for as these steels have qualities that make them ideal for different situations.
CPM-S30V is a premium steel that is perfect for high-performance knives. Its superior edge retention, hardness, and corrosion resistance make it a top choice for many knife enthusiasts. Additionally, CPM-S30V is relatively easy to sharpen compared to other high-end steels, which is another advantage.
Overall, if you are looking for a budget-friendly steel for a knife that will be used for everyday tasks, 7Cr17MoV is a reasonable choice. However, if you are looking for a top-of-the-line steel for a high-performance knife that will be used for heavy-duty cutting tasks, CPM-S30V is the superior choice.
Best knives in each steel
Now that we have covered all the information about each steel, we can see what we have found to be the best knives in each steel from our research at Blade Fun.
Gerber EXO-MOD Drop Point (7cr17MoV)
The Gerber EXO-MOD has a Drop Point blade, is skeletonized to shave weight, a 3.75-inch 7Cr17MoV blade, has an overall length of 8.5 inches, and weighs only 2.6 ounces. If you want an affordable lightweight hunting knife, this might be the knife for you.
Spyderco Para Military 2 – S30V
The Para Military 2 is perhaps Spyderco’s most well-known knife. They’ve got a couple different versions with different handle scales, colors, and blade materials, but the one linked has S30V.
The Para Military 2 has G10 handle scales, a 4-position pocket clip, a thumb-hole opening, and Spyderco’s compression lock. It’s a knife that will last you a long time and will be able to withstand some punishment. If that sounds like something for you, you can check it out here.
Kershaw Blur – S30V
Normally, the Blur comes in D2, but this one’s got S30V for the blade. The Kershaw Blur is perhaps Kershaw’s most popular knife. It’s got thumb stud, SpeedSafe assisted opening, a reversible pocket clip, a liner lock, and anodized aluminum with Trac-Tec inserts for the handle.
If you’re looking for an S30V knife with more flashy features, but doesn’t cost too much then check out the Blur here.
Benchmade Steep Country – S30V
Benchmade’s Steep Country is a fixed-blade hunting knife. It has a 3.5-inch S30V steel blade with a full-tang design. It has a rubbery Santoprene handle that won’t slip in wet conditions. This knife is ideal for backpacking as it weighs a mere 3 ounces.
You can check this knife out here (link to Amazon).