The current production is S30V steel. The picture says it is CTS BD1. Can you confirm that it is the S30v model?
818053
The version with black g10 handles and steel liners is made with s30v. It is hollow ground and comes with plain or dlc coated blade. This looks like the black frn ultralight version. There is also a blue ultralight frn version. The ultralights have no liners, and the blades are made from flat ground cts bd1. This is the black frn ultralight in ffg cts bd1. Hope this helps!
962781
I think the steel one is a different model than the aluminum. It has a different letter after the name
1672868
According to my research, 440HC is the hardest grade for Stainless Steel (what Buck uses for their standard blades). S30V is an alloy (the best steel to use for blades according to Buck). 8Cr13MoV is Chinese Stainless steel and I would avoid it for that reason (different hardness standards) - difficult to tell where it ranks with the others and of course I would have questions about consistency in the alloys made by different manufacturers. Hope this helps.... see also: http://www.buckknives.com/index.cfm?event=about.feature
1538710
Most would answer that 14c28n is a downgrade from S30v steel with whom I concur. Of the three main criteria, edge retention, corrosion resistance & sharpenability, two are hands down win for S30V. 14c28n may be slightly easier to sharpen.
1431136
Personally, I think it is a fantastic knife. It's hard to really COMPARE M390 to VG10 or S30V, but from what I've experienced and have read about, it probably beats s30V without question. VG10 is tricky, I'm not sure how they compare to each other in cutting performance, but I'm fairly certain M390 is more corrosion resistant than VG10. I haven't gone so far as to abuse my knife by sticking it in pure chlorine or saltwater for a day or anything, but by reputation M390 might have the best corrosion resistance for a steel with its class of edge taking and holding.
1233196
I'm not sure what the BDM-0001 is. Is it a Shun knife? We do not have that item number in our system.
2130684
It's a premium steel, probably a little better than S30V or AG10. Not as good as M4 or M390. I concur about the knife. The detente is quite strong and you have to get used to it without putting pressure on the knife frame, but after it breaks in it's pretty sure-fire.
161307
My blade says Japan, which, as I understand, is where the better quality CS blades are made. They are supposed to be somewhat better than the ones made in Taiwan. My tally of CS blades looks to be Recon Tanto, Counter Tac I, and Super Edge - Japan / Spike Tanto, Pendleton Lite Hunter, and OSS - Taiwan. I am pleased with them all.
1136905
I emailed Cold Steel and they explained about the gring,flat vs hollow.I never really noticed before,now it's easy to spot but it still does not stop sellers from listing both and or using a picture different than what their actoally selling. I already have a SK-5 knife and was thinking about buying another for a present.I will be in contact with the seller before I make a purchase to be sure what I am getting. Frankly I would not want the stainless version.
1697883
Mine is a genuine cold steel product. It does say Taiwan under the cold steel logo. Perhaps they outsource.
62596
I got this knife when it was still being made in taiwan, and at that point it was made in SK5. They probably changed to 1095 cro van when they started making them in America. I have a couple other knives made with SK5 and 1095 crovan and I can't tell the difference. I did a little research and discovered that these two steels are very similar.
1718831
Mine is D2 tool steel. I do not know if they offer a mild steel version or not.
2200667
Love all Ken Onion designed Kershaws but used to be made in the US with S30V steel and scalloped G10 handle for around $70 now made in China from chinese steel 8CR13MOV with a a stippled G10 handle. 8CR13MOV isn't the worst for $30 but if you want something other than a beat around/yard knife look elsewhere.
1950146
Yes it is! Just like My Cold Steel Recon 1 that I purchased for $22.00, it's made in Taiwan but under Cold Steels license. The black paint on the blade of my Recon 1 has gotten beat up by the change in My pocket but this little bitty tanto blade is wicked sharp with just a few passes over the EZ lap steel.
469076
Mine is the carbon steel version it is made in Taiwan. I can't speak for the san main model or any stainless models. I am happy with mine.
700030
I don't know, but based on reviews it looks like its the new 2012 model in s30v. I have also watched an un-boxing from amazon and it was s30v. I will be ordering it tomorrow either way, and I can tell you what I get, but i hope its s30v.
2160026
It's from china, I believe it's under close supervision by spyderco.. They just did this to cut cost. I have no complaints with the steel. It's been my beater knife ever since and I'm satisfied with it.