Which PM2?: S30V/S35VN or S110V or M390

[DCJ]

Hello - I'm trying to decide which PM2 is going to have the best combination of corrosion resistance and ease of sharpening (which I prefer to do frequently over dealing with a very difficult to sharpen steel). The S30V, S35VN and S110V models are all readily available, but I'd either need to wait for another M390 (or its equivalent) sprint or look on the secondary market. Given my experience with Cruwear, I want something with really good corrosion resistance (which would point to S110V), but I also don't want to spend lots of time sharpening, and S110V is supposed to be a challenge. The M390 sprint looks to have been ideal, but sounds like S35VN still would be easier to sharpen. This would be a user, so toughness would be a plus.

Any thoughts/suggesions much appreciated.

Thank you!

[Sumdumguy]

Caribbean Leaf PE!

Rust proof.
Very sharp, very fast.
Better handle(subjective).

Same size as the PM2 with blade/edge specs of the Military.

[brainfriction]

S110V isn't difficult to sharpen per se, it's just a little more particular how you go about it. Often it does better with a toothy edge rather than a high polished mirror edge like some steels. With the high vanadium content you'll probably get the best results with a diamond stone. There's tons of informative youtube vids out there about sharpening S110V.

S30V is just a good all around steel imo. It's also pretty easy to sharpen.

[Deadboxhero]

Grab the M390 if it's available for a good price, you'll like it more if you're into Sharpening and edge performance.

[med]

None of these are that hard to sharpen. I have a handful of different things 154CM, S30V, S35VN, 20CV, and M390, its easy enough to collect multiple different high quality steels, Im sure a bunch of people have similar stuff as well.

The key is to stop your blade pretty often before you would actually need to get out other sharpening equipment.

Get whatever steel you prefer. M390 or 20CV is my favorite. I dont have a preference between S30V and S35VN.

I would like to see some people use CPM 154.

[Forest Green]

Amen to the m390!

[The Mastiff]

Ease of sharpening doesn't come with steel as wear resistant as S110V. It takes more time to sharpen so I guess that means less easy? The S35Vn should be the easiest and toughest. Corrosion resistance is fairly close to be honest. I treat all mine the same way and seem to get the same results. I'd guess S110V is the most corrosion resistant but that is just a guess. I suppose I'm saying they are all excellent and any of them should easily do what you need.

Joe

[vivi]

The best balance of all the attributes you desire is easily the DLC S30V Para 2.

It will be the easiest to sharpen.

It will be by far the most corrosion resistant Para 2 produced yet.

It will be tough enough. I carried one for years and used it harder than you will, and put an extra thin edge in mine too. Never had any durability issues.

There is no other Para 2 that can match this one for corrosion resistance. I have no idea how I'm the first to suggest this version.

[knivesandbooks]

I too would go with a dlc standard s30v pm2.

[DCJ]

The best balance of all the attributes you desire is easily the DLC S30V Para 2.

It will be the easiest to sharpen.

It will be by far the most corrosion resistant Para 2 produced yet.

It will be tough enough. I carried one for years and used it harder than you will, and put an extra thin edge in mine too. Never had any durability issues.

There is no other Para 2 that can match this one for corrosion resistance. I have no idea how I'm the first to suggest this version.

Thanks for this. Are all the PM2 black blades DLC? I like the digicamo version. I had a watch that was DLC coated titanium, and it never got a scratch after much use. It was impressive.

[vivi]

Yes the camo and black handled versions have the same blades.

[wrdwrght]

Don’t overthink. All good, just different.

[ferider]

I have two copies of my favorite PM2: two with Maxamet and two with M390. And I also have S110V, M4, Cruwear, Rex 45, and S35VN, in use and to compare to.

My most corrosion resistant PM2 are the M390 copies: beats S30V and S35VN, check out the literature, for example:



All in all, if you can find one and want wear resistant and hard, I recommend M390, such a cool material. If you want tough, I recommend S35vn (plenty of those around currently).

Roland.

[vivi]

If the M390 is not DLC coated, it will never compare to DLC S30V's corrosion resistance. 1095 with DLC would have superior corrosion resistance than M390 even, everywhere except the exposed bevel.

[Doeswhateveraspidercan]

After Owning all of the steels asked about I have to say go with the M390. It will give you everything you are looking for, but be prepared to pay between $250.00 and $300.00 with the scalpers on eBay.


I really do wish M390, CTS204P and Elmax would become standard instead of just sprint runs. These 3 steels are very similar yet different. All 3 are the best in my experience.


S35VN is more affordable and sharpens easier and resists rust better than S30V. S110V is just not one of my favorites I have it in a PM2, had it in a Manix and honestly do not care for the feel of it when cuttting. Yeah I know that sounds strange but each of these steels when sharpened identically have a different feel to them when cutting.

Just now getting my first DLC Knife a S30V Partly serrated Military, Cant wait to see how it holds up but the superior rust resistance does indeed sound correct.

[Bill1170]

I had a first gen Apple Watch in DLC coated stainless and was amazed at the resistance to scratching. I’ve heard mixed reports about DLC as a corrosion barrier and no personal experience to bias me either way.

For the OP, all of the steels you listed are stainless. I’ve carried all 3 and never had a problem with any of them. Saltwater exposure and especially corrosive sweat are the principal factors that push people to need greater stain resistance. If neither of those apply to you, I wouldn’t worry about it.

As for sharpening, the S110V is extreme. The other 3 are pretty balanced steels.

[Doeswhateveraspidercan]

Please see here a great website that will allow you to input the steel you are considering and compare by composition. Below is a graph I ran for the steels you are asking about.

http://zknives.com/knives/steels/steelg ... hrn=1&gm=0

Steel Comparison.JPG

[RickC27]

M390 all the way...but you'll certainly pay a pretty penny for it.

I have the S30V and S35VN versions, I honestly can't tell the difference between the steels. I've never tried S110V, so I can't comment on that. But I do absolutely love my Para 3 in M390.

[Shooter4321]

I like s30v, especially how spyderco heat treats it. Tough , easy to sharpen, rust resistant and takes and holds a good edge . Only time I’ve seen S30v chip was on my very own military. I loaned it to a pretty girl (mistake) who used it to cut zip ties with a cement backing ...Oooof, but sharpened them out without much problem on my edge pro.
Whichever you choose, you should be happy with it. Spyderco knows how to get everything out of a steel with their heat treat..

[Daveho]

I have had the Lab working overtime to compile this infographic.
The formula is thus;
What I like + has brown scales = best