This doesn't surprise me to be honest. Back in the Vascowear days the difficulty in working the steel was it's biggest fault that kept many knife makers from using this steel. There are still "way back machine" archives of knifemakers complaining about it on forums if one looks around. :)Recently I decided to make a few Cruwear knives and learn more about the steel. About 2 weeks ago I finished my first Cruwear knife that I heat treated to 63-64. OMG! The high hardness combined with the high Vanadium content makes a steel that is incredibly hard to grind and finish, post H/T. Lately, I've been making knives from 20CV more than anything else (usually HRC 62). This Cruwear blade ate ceramic belts so fast it made me think 20CV is "easy" to grind and finish. So fast in fact, I'll be hesitant to make make more Cruwear blades in the future. I love the result and the knife is awesome..but what a p.i.t.a.! If anything, I now have an even greater appreciation for my :spyder: Spyderco-made :spyder: Cruwear knives!
Sal and Spyderco changed a lot of this though. There are people now who complain about everything from 3V, S30V, Cruwear on up to S110V as being not wear resistant enough.
I know better though. One can't do everything pre heat treat so all that can be done is use the best belts one can find/afford and change them when needed.
joe