What it is: CPM S30V is a "Crucible Particle Metallurgy" stainless steel, widely regarded as a "super steel" for its properties and performance. It sounds like D2 … The development of D2 steel coincides in part with the invention of stainless steel as well as high speed steel. ... S30V Steel – This steel was designed to be used for knives. 24 0 0. On my D2 blades, I start with a diamond carbide if the edge is really dull, then go to a croc stick, then to a long length fine chef steel. S30V is a true stainless steel, while D2 gets close, it is not considered a stainless steel, thus it will be more susceptible to corrosion and rusting. It is much tougher than most stainless steels, but not as tough as most of the other tool steel. Large carbides in this all-around premium knife steel make it take and hold an edge extremely well; it is also very tough and wear resistant. Crucible has been a part of the knife steel industry for many decades, such as with steels like 154CM which was developed in the late 1950’s and gained popularity in knives through Bob Loveless in the early 1970s. ... ATS-34/154CM, and 440C, on par with 3V, but worse than S35VN, Vanadis 4 Extra, Elmax, S30V, M4, and M390 [11]. I also calculated the edge retention relative to 440C which is a value that Crucible has reported in the past. D2 Tool Steel. S30V is a knife steel produced by Crucible, released at the end of 2001 [1]. TOUGHNESS: 5/10. EDGE RETENTION: 7/10. Both are excellent steel. Mar 18, 2008 30,906 113 Indiana. D2 will get damage easier when contacting hard bone. D2 Steel - This steel has high chromium content, just less than what might classify it as stainless steel. An air-hardened "semi-stainless" steel, D2 has a relatively high chromium content (12 percent), which makes it more stain-resistant than other carbon steels. SHARPENING EASE: 5/10 HRC: 59.5–61. CPM S30V . D2 is semi-stainless so will rust but takes a while and s30v is extremely stain resistant so great for wet/bloody areas for a long time. S30V is a great all around steel, especially if heat treated to a relatively high hardness like Spyderco does (59+). I feel that S30V, though a really tough steel, just isn't as tough due to the powdered nature of the material. It's a bit more resistant to corrosion than carbon steel but it's not truly stainless.And while it makes for a very hard, yet durable knife, it can be difficult to sharpen without the right equipment. D2 is also much more resistant to corrosion than 1095. 1095-HC: 1095 is a high carbon steel (instead of a stainless steel) commonly used in heavy duty tools. CORROSION RESISTANCE: 7/10. Because of that it's incredibly tough and wear resistant. I have been looking at he Knives of Alaska Alpha wolf for field dressing and see that it comes in both steels. CPM S30V. Aug 2, 2017 #6 rhino Grandmaster. D2 Non-Stainless Knife Steel. S30v will lose its hair popping shaving sharp edge fairly quickly but retain an excellent working edge seemingly forever. For these reasons D2 steel is a good for smaller folding knives, but is not ideal for large fixed blades such as dedicated choppers and large survival knives. 154cm is a fine steel, I own a Benchmade Griptilian in that configuration and it has never given me anything but good performance. D2 is a steel normally used to create large industrial tools needed to cut and stamp softer forms of steel. In reading online it appears that S30V might take a little bit of a finer edge as well as be somewhat stain and rust resistant. Because of this it has good rust resistance. I prefer D2 Because of the edge retention, and rugged propertied of the steel. Disadvantages: Relatively difficult to sharpen, can be prone to chipping in certain applications. Its always disappointing to have a great steel with non-optimal heat treat. Rating - 100%. Advantages: Wear resistance, corrosion resistance.