CPM3V is the most outstanding blade steel on earth today. To quote my heat treat guy : “If I was going to Mars & could take only ONE knife, it would be made of 3V with my (his) heat treat recipe!” Being this guy has done the heat treating on on my designed & custom made knives over the last decade or more, I can concur! I use CPM3V exclusively for outdoor, heavy use knives. And the blades I’ve sold I give an ANYTHING warranty on. If the blade fails for any reason, it’s covered. If you cut the blade in half with a torch, IT’S COVERED!
@david-onearmedknifemaker-8955 Yeah bro the HT is everything.Btw do you have a link form your store,maybe i'll purchase some of your 3v blades if the HT is right
Several years ago I ordered a Bark River Crusader from SMKW and a week later I ordered another one from you guys. I asked the lady on the phone if you could check to make sure the knife said 'First Production Run ' on the blade like the first one. Six days later it arrived and the knife was outside of the plastic which had been cut open. Both knives are in cpm3v, one is pristine and the other chops tennis ball sized rocks in two. The edge on the chopper is holding up pretty well. Heavy duty Butterfly Swords.
Please more videos like this. I have watched a lot of videos that throw out a bunch of stats and % and what not but they mean nothing. The way you talked like a convo in this video, slow, and went thru the history was actually great. I could put it on and do bush work and actually learn a lot about this steel. I would love to see one on 15V, 4V, and M4. Along with maxamet and AEB L if you can. (I’ll be checking your page for more videos like this and if you have an already done a video like this for something I mentioned above just disregard and assume I will be watching it) These are a few I’m interested in working with in the future. Honestly, if you could do one of these videos for any and all popular steels and even unconventionally used steels and even rare special steels, I would love you forever and watch all of them a few times. Any that you make, I will watch.
3V is one of my absolute favorites! It's the sweet spot of just enough chromium to prevent patina and it holds a great edge but it's not a nightmare to sharpen and damn it takes a nice edge! Wish I would see it in more knives. I'm looking at you kizer...
knife merchants love that different steels is a marketing/selling point. Make sure you buy at least 1 or 10 in every different type of steel cuz that's very important.
Thank you for the well articulated and informative video. Based on this post I picked up a Cold Steel SRK and Recon Scout in 3V. Both are fantastic knives.
I ordered almost $1000 in Cold Steel knives last week. I returned all of them. I bought 2 Trailmasters and a Natchez Bowie. One Trailmaster was in San Mai and was supposed to be from JAPAN in the AD but it was from Tawain. The quality is NOTHING like the Japanese Trailmaster. The other 2 blades were a CPM3V Trailmaster and CPM3V Natchez bowie. Both had UNEVEN BLADE GRINDS. It was very noticeable. So noticeable I had to send them back. TO BE FAIR I own a Laredo Bowie in CPM3V and it's PERFECT. I would suggest not buying any CPM3V big knives from Cold Steel right now UNTIL quality gets better. They make great knives it's just CPM3V is hard to finish perfectly.
Strange..my cold steel trailmaster cpm 3v is perfect..and near indestructible.. And all the trailmasters i seen by my club members are all perfect grinded.. How is this possible what happens to you? Maybe monday making blades? Not good man. Send them back. They must give you the good ones..
I Recently picked up a 12inch mag tanto and trail master in 3v, both within the last 6 months, and they are perfect. Dude may have just had really bad luck or bought seconds from different internet sellers
I've made over 20 knives (including 2 hand axes, a tomahawk and one katana) out of CPM-3V and really like it. Note there's one key point not mentioned in the video. The crucible guys said the powdered steel not only resulted in the smaller carbides (as mentioned in the video), but also resulted in basically all the vanadium going into carbide formation. The older Vasco Die method resulted in a mix of chromium and vanadium carbides. This is a big deal for 2 reasons: vanadium carbides are much harder than chromium carbides, and now all the chromium is available as "free" chromium in the CPM-3V
I love me some 3V but I love CruWear even more. I can’t tell the difference in terms of toughness but I can definitely tell the difference in terms of edge retention. It’s the best blend of toughness and edge retention in a non stainless steel in my opinion.
Great history,you should do an cpm axe history and or wood gouges/chisels .No one really makes them,which is a shame because we can't test many.someone could make big money in the world of woodwork/craft beyond knives
Neither of these steels is that hard to sharpen. Harder than some older steels like 1095, sure, but they’ll sharpen up a heck of a lot easier than M390. Not too bad at all.
When I'm feeling lazy I use A2 for my knives, when I'm feeling cheap but a little more ambitious I use AEB-L, and when I'm feeling like making a magnum opus, I use 3V. I screw around with other steels but always go back to those three.
How does it compare with other premium steels? Hardness, toughness, edge retention, etc.? What type of edge works best: angle, thickness behind the edge, polished or more toothy?
3V is a 58-61HRC steel roughly. I have all my custom blades treated to 60HRC with a Cryo treatment after quench & before Tempering. (Important) My knives take screaming edges that hold quite well & the blades are darn near indestructible! (Read above what I say about my warranty.) 3V works well with most any grind. It’s not picky. I’ve used standard V-grinds with secondary, Scandi, Zero-Grinds & even Convex with great success. The quality of the Grind is more important than the type. As for edge finishing, I’ve settled into using Shapton Glass water stones up to 6K grit, which does make quite a polished edge. And incredible sharpness. Have never had a complaint. I absolutely recommend using this steel for hard use knives. It is the ONLY steel I use for outdoor, hard use & large blades. Even swords.
What toughness test did you do? The hype regarding this steel is insane. It does not perform nearly as much as the hype. The only 3v thats heat treated properly is CPK knives
If it’s a pocket knife the high end stainless steels M390, S35VN, Cruwear are great . But if it comes to a bushcraft or beater knife I love my 3V. Takes a likin and a little stropping and it’s back to shaving sharp. No doubt about good ole 1095 will handle a ton of abuse as well and much easier to put a new edge on it I. The field. Love my Essex’s that are in 1095. But the upgraded stainless steels they have used cut but don’t handle the hard use. The bottom line, if it’s hard use I want 3V. 😁
I mentioned this in another video, you guys offering sharpening on 3v blades? How about a 3V recurve? I'm fine with most other steels, I'd rather have a pro take on my biggest most expensive blades!
I’ve been trying to find a Reate Exo for almost a year there never in stock I managed to get the mars valley tanto Exo from you guys today but noticed the ones In stock are 3v. From my understanding there’s not much difference in 3v and elmax other than 3v is tougher but also not as corrosion resistant. I’m not planning on using it for much work really just needed it in my collection. Is it still a really premium steel like elmax?
From what I could find Elmax is more corrosion resistant and is better against wear plus holds an edge better. CPM 3V is tougher. The edge retention between the two isn't much. 3V is also resistant to corrosion just not as much as Elmax. If you keep up on your knife the corrosion shouldn't be an issue and the 3V is tougher. So in my opinion, I'd go with 3V unless I was operation in a high humidity or marine environment and couldn't wipe down my blade as often as I should. (Or I stick it somewhere for a long period of time and forget about it).
Does toughness=edge stability? It seems nobody uses geometry when rope or cardboard testing steels. According to BBB and Larrin Thomas the most important feature of a superior slicer is geometry aka edge stability. So we get these ultra high carbide steels like maxamet supposedly being the best at these type tasks. What I would like to know is what steel will hold the most acute angle without rolling or crumbling. It certainly isn't maxamet. Seems to me that 3v is a contender. Can you take it to 12dps? 8dps? Is there a point where a stable steel will out perform a high carbide steel when performing the same tasks? You certainly can't take maxamet to 8dps.
3V seems to go for blades that don't get extreme abuse. 3V keeps the edge well but sharpening takes a bit more effort. For extreme abuse something like 7cr takes the elements very well without rusting and when heat treated properly has 60HRC hardness. It looses to 3V narrowly holding an edge but for bush knife it is easier to sharpen and takes hell of a beating. Today I see much more 3V and it seems to be replacing some respected exotic VG-10 San Mai blades for example.
Thank you for a well done presentation but this might change your mind on 3V. Check out the destruction test of a Cold Steel SRK 3V knife by Joe X at ruclips.net/video/stvZ2gIFEfk/видео.html , and then watch the same destruction type test on the Cold Steel SRK in VG10 San Mai steel at ruclips.net/video/5qNu9-bVPoQ/видео.html . BTW, the SRK in 3V steel is $146.59 on Amazon, while the SRK in VG10 San Mai is only $98.38. Joe X on you tube is really revealing what steels are prevailing under EXTREMELY rigid destruction test. I own the SRK in 3V, and wish I had now bought the same knife in San Mai. Thank you again for a good presentation.
Hello mon ami américain 🇺🇸🫡 nous allons devenir incollable sur les aciers grâce à SMKW c'est bien je trouve qu il faut savoir les différents acier le minimum quand on n'est fan de couteaux
Nous aimons les couteaux ! Leur histoire, les raisons pour lesquelles les formes et les styles sont faits tels qu'ils sont, et de quoi ils sont faits aussi.
CPM3V is the most outstanding blade steel on earth today. To quote my heat treat guy : “If I was going to Mars & could take only ONE knife, it would be made of 3V with my (his) heat treat recipe!” Being this guy has done the heat treating on on my designed & custom made knives over the last decade or more, I can concur! I use CPM3V exclusively for outdoor, heavy use knives. And the blades I’ve sold I give an ANYTHING warranty on. If the blade fails for any reason, it’s covered. If you cut the blade in half with a torch, IT’S COVERED!
3V is awesome!
Possible to order a CPM3V knife from you ?
YeA you have a web site id like To see your knives and maybe buy one
@david-onearmedknifemaker-8955
Yeah bro the HT is everything.Btw do you have a link form your store,maybe i'll purchase some of your 3v blades if the HT is right
Dude would have 4 new customers from a RUclips comment if he just posted a link for us😂!!!!
Here because that thumbnail is hysterical...well done.
Tru
Thanks!
More steel video, please.
More are in the works!
Several years ago I ordered a Bark River Crusader from SMKW and a week later I ordered another one from you guys. I asked the lady on the phone if you could check to make sure the knife said 'First Production Run ' on the blade like the first one. Six days later it arrived and the knife was outside of the plastic which had been cut open. Both knives are in cpm3v, one is pristine and the other chops tennis ball sized rocks in two. The edge on the chopper is holding up pretty well. Heavy duty Butterfly Swords.
got my first 3v blade today, SMKW really got me covered - love u guys
Awww and we love you too Badger
Please more videos like this. I have watched a lot of videos that throw out a bunch of stats and % and what not but they mean nothing. The way you talked like a convo in this video, slow, and went thru the history was actually great. I could put it on and do bush work and actually learn a lot about this steel. I would love to see one on 15V, 4V, and M4. Along with maxamet and AEB L if you can. (I’ll be checking your page for more videos like this and if you have an already done a video like this for something I mentioned above just disregard and assume I will be watching it) These are a few I’m interested in working with in the future. Honestly, if you could do one of these videos for any and all popular steels and even unconventionally used steels and even rare special steels, I would love you forever and watch all of them a few times. Any that you make, I will watch.
Thanks for watching and TC is already making plans to do more!
3V is one of my absolute favorites! It's the sweet spot of just enough chromium to prevent patina and it holds a great edge but it's not a nightmare to sharpen and damn it takes a nice edge! Wish I would see it in more knives. I'm looking at you kizer...
We are looking forward to many more companies using CPM-3V in the future
@@SMKWcomme too. And in folders. Fixed blades aren't my jam.
One of my three favorite steels along with AEB-L and Magnacut.
I have no idea why I love these vids, I’m totally fascinated by steel types, thank you
Thanks for watching FA!
knife merchants love that different steels is a marketing/selling point. Make sure you buy at least 1 or 10 in every different type of steel cuz that's very important.
3V is my all time fav knife steel. Love it.
I just ordered a Cold Steel SRK in CPM 3V
Nice!
Thank you for the well articulated and informative video.
Based on this post I picked up a Cold Steel SRK and Recon Scout in 3V.
Both are fantastic knives.
Great picks!
I ordered almost $1000 in Cold Steel knives last week. I returned all of them. I bought 2 Trailmasters and a Natchez Bowie. One Trailmaster was in San Mai and was supposed to be from JAPAN in the AD but it was from Tawain. The quality is NOTHING like the Japanese Trailmaster. The other 2 blades were a CPM3V Trailmaster and CPM3V Natchez bowie. Both had UNEVEN BLADE GRINDS. It was very noticeable. So noticeable I had to send them back. TO BE FAIR I own a Laredo Bowie in CPM3V and it's PERFECT. I would suggest not buying any CPM3V big knives from Cold Steel right now UNTIL quality gets better. They make great knives it's just CPM3V is hard to finish perfectly.
Strange..my cold steel trailmaster cpm 3v is perfect..and near indestructible..
And all the trailmasters i seen by my club members are all perfect grinded..
How is this possible what happens to you?
Maybe monday making blades?
Not good man.
Send them back.
They must give you the good ones..
I Recently picked up a 12inch mag tanto and trail master in 3v, both within the last 6 months, and they are perfect. Dude may have just had really bad luck or bought seconds from different internet sellers
Great video. I appreciate you educating us on the origin of 3v
Thanks for watching
I've made over 20 knives (including 2 hand axes, a tomahawk and one katana) out of CPM-3V and really like it. Note there's one key point not mentioned in the video. The crucible guys said the powdered steel not only resulted in the smaller carbides (as mentioned in the video), but also resulted in basically all the vanadium going into carbide formation. The older Vasco Die method resulted in a mix of chromium and vanadium carbides. This is a big deal for 2 reasons: vanadium carbides are much harder than chromium carbides, and now all the chromium is available as "free" chromium in the CPM-3V
I love me some 3V but I love CruWear even more. I can’t tell the difference in terms of toughness but I can definitely tell the difference in terms of edge retention. It’s the best blend of toughness and edge retention in a non stainless steel in my opinion.
3V,definitely a favourite
We really dig 3V Marc 👍
I can’t wait to see how well the Reiff S5 Glider Scandi in 3V holds its edge
Informative and enjoyable, excellent video! 3V is an all time fav.
Thanks for watching!
Interesting bit of history! Knowledge videos are always appreciated.
Thanks for watching Shane
Great video and bit of history to know. Thanks for putting these videos out
Thanks for watching! We love doing these 👍
Great history,you should do an cpm axe history and or wood gouges/chisels .No one really makes them,which is a shame because we can't test many.someone could make big money in the world of woodwork/craft beyond knives
Thanks for watching and for the suggestions!
I have the master tanto and magnum tanto in CPM-3V
Whats everyones favorite edc under 4 inch blade in 3v?
Love this series. Always interesting.
Thanks for watching Grom!
Always fun to learn New things!!
Thanks Mike C!
Love 3v, my hunting knife and camp knife in 3v take and hold a wicked edge!!
We did a Will It Cut with 3V and it really impressed us!
JoeX did a destruction test on the CS Magnum Tanto in 3V and the blade shattered. In fact the SK-5 Tanto endured far longer before breaking.
This is really well done and very informative. Great job!
Thanks for watching WH!
MUCH MORE Steel Videos.., PLZ..!!🇺🇸
It may be time for even more!
Love my benchmade socp dagger. Wouldn’t carry any other steel on my plate carrier.
the SOCP is sweet!
I love the thumbnail so much.
Thank you!
Wish I watched this before ordering my two new knives in 3V and Cru Wear. I am not good at sharpening knives and now worried about upkeep.
While 3V can take more time that doesn't make it more difficult, take your time and you will be fine 👍
Neither of these steels is that hard to sharpen. Harder than some older steels like 1095, sure, but they’ll sharpen up a heck of a lot easier than M390. Not too bad at all.
@@I_Might_B_Wrong Thanks for watching
I've got a Creely Blades Mako in 3v and it's a little BEAST 🔥🔥🔥✌🏻
🙌🙌🙌
Awesome steel lesson! What about corrosion resistance? Compared to Cpm-s30, or cpm-m4, or cpm-s35?
IMHO 3V is not corrosion resistant like s30v or S35VN. It's not stainless, but it's better than m4. it's got just enough chromium to prevent patina.
Thanks 4 the info always good shows
Thanks for watching Joey!
Had my Cold Steel Warcraft Tanto fixed blade in CPM-3V for over a decade, I'm certain its made with Alien space magic or Dwarven voodoo Alchemy.
If all Cold Steel comes with +5 sharpness and +5 cool lol
3v is awesome. I also really like cruwear
Bothe are awesome!
When I'm feeling lazy I use A2 for my knives, when I'm feeling cheap but a little more ambitious I use AEB-L, and when I'm feeling like making a magnum opus, I use 3V. I screw around with other steels but always go back to those three.
Sounds like a good trinity to mess around in!
are you going to get the Reiff F6 back in stock anytime soon?
We have them on order. Be sure to fill out the notify me when section and you will receive an email as soon as they restock
Solid video as always!!
Thanks for watching TAC!
How does it compare with other premium steels? Hardness, toughness, edge retention, etc.? What type of edge works best: angle, thickness behind the edge, polished or more toothy?
3V is a 58-61HRC steel roughly. I have all my custom blades treated to 60HRC with a Cryo treatment after quench & before Tempering. (Important) My knives take screaming edges that hold quite well & the blades are darn near indestructible! (Read above what I say about my warranty.) 3V works well with most any grind. It’s not picky. I’ve used standard V-grinds with secondary, Scandi, Zero-Grinds & even Convex with great success. The quality of the Grind is more important than the type. As for edge finishing, I’ve settled into using Shapton Glass water stones up to 6K grit, which does make quite a polished edge. And incredible sharpness. Have never had a complaint.
I absolutely recommend using this steel for hard use knives. It is the ONLY steel I use for outdoor, hard use & large blades. Even swords.
@@david-onearmedknifemaker-8955I sure hope the Bowie I bought with 3V will be decent.
All my Cold steel fixed knives are in cpm3v and among them Recon Scout and Loredo bowie are the best and then SRK maybe.
Thanks for watching and for the suggestion!
dear tc. please sharpen the cpm-3v on camera for all of us like you said you would in this video thank you!
What toughness test did you do? The hype regarding this steel is insane. It does not perform nearly as much as the hype. The only 3v thats heat treated properly is CPK knives
We have a series called "Will It Cut" and put a Reiff F6 with CPM-3V blade ruclips.net/video/Froyt-KnOXE/видео.html
Look up knife steel nerds. It’s the best source of blade steel info. Real tests and real results
If it’s a pocket knife the high end stainless steels M390, S35VN, Cruwear are great . But if it comes to a bushcraft or beater knife I love my 3V. Takes a likin and a little stropping and it’s back to shaving sharp. No doubt about good ole 1095 will handle a ton of abuse as well and much easier to put a new edge on it I. The field. Love my Essex’s that are in 1095. But the upgraded stainless steels they have used cut but don’t handle the hard use. The bottom line, if it’s hard use I want 3V. 😁
1095 is the tried and true friend but we did a Will It Cut with 3V and we were all very impressed
Does z wear pm equivalent 3v ?
I mentioned this in another video, you guys offering sharpening on 3v blades? How about a 3V recurve? I'm fine with most other steels, I'd rather have a pro take on my biggest most expensive blades!
Can you please do CTS XHP?
Thanks for watching and the suggestion 👍
i have a not quite unhealthy (yet) obsession with blade steels
Thanks for watching and we feel ya in that
3V was my favourite non-stainless until i used CruWear.
Love both of them 👍
3v is not a stainless steel correct ? so it’s more prone to rusting ?
It sounds like San Mai 3 with its carbon core is sharper than CPM 3v which is more robust!?
Thought this was “everything you need to know”? I don’t need to know any of that😂. Toughness/hardness ratio is why I clicked on this video
3v....Harry Johnson approved!! 🫡
🙌🙌🙌
I’ve been trying to find a Reate Exo for almost a year there never in stock I managed to get the mars valley tanto Exo from you guys today but noticed the ones In stock are 3v. From my understanding there’s not much difference in 3v and elmax other than 3v is tougher but also not as corrosion resistant. I’m not planning on using it for much work really just needed it in my collection. Is it still a really premium steel like elmax?
From what I could find Elmax is more corrosion resistant and is better against wear plus holds an edge better. CPM 3V is tougher. The edge retention between the two isn't much. 3V is also resistant to corrosion just not as much as Elmax. If you keep up on your knife the corrosion shouldn't be an issue and the 3V is tougher. So in my opinion, I'd go with 3V unless I was operation in a high humidity or marine environment and couldn't wipe down my blade as often as I should. (Or I stick it somewhere for a long period of time and forget about it).
I love that Cold Steel makes swords out of 3V. I would love to get my hands on one of them.
Cold Steel makes some awesome swords!
3v is the daddy. Its perfect
It is sweet!
Nice video thank you.A1
Thanks Shay!
the red one
TC, where did u buy the ring
The red ring is in remembrance of his father
Does toughness=edge stability? It seems nobody uses geometry when rope or cardboard testing steels. According to BBB and Larrin Thomas the most important feature of a superior slicer is geometry aka edge stability. So we get these ultra high carbide steels like maxamet supposedly being the best at these type tasks. What I would like to know is what steel will hold the most acute angle without rolling or crumbling. It certainly isn't maxamet. Seems to me that 3v is a contender. Can you take it to 12dps? 8dps? Is there a point where a stable steel will out perform a high carbide steel when performing the same tasks? You certainly can't take maxamet to 8dps.
Thanks for watching and good insights!
Whenever I hear this guys voice I think of “cannot cancel order once it’s placed, even if requested 2 seconds later.
My cold steel SRK cpm 3v has a black blade and is my best friend . I would never sell it or give it away.
Love the SRK
3V seems to go for blades that don't get extreme abuse. 3V keeps the edge well but sharpening takes a bit more effort. For extreme abuse something like 7cr takes the elements very well without rusting and when heat treated properly has 60HRC hardness. It looses to 3V narrowly holding an edge but for bush knife it is easier to sharpen and takes hell of a beating. Today I see much more 3V and it seems to be replacing some respected exotic VG-10 San Mai blades for example.
How does it stack up to k490?
Thank you for a well done presentation but this might change your mind on 3V. Check out the destruction test of a Cold Steel SRK 3V knife by Joe X at ruclips.net/video/stvZ2gIFEfk/видео.html , and then watch the same destruction type test on the Cold Steel SRK in VG10 San Mai steel at ruclips.net/video/5qNu9-bVPoQ/видео.html . BTW, the SRK in 3V steel is $146.59 on Amazon, while the SRK in VG10 San Mai is only $98.38. Joe X on you tube is really revealing what steels are prevailing under EXTREMELY rigid destruction test. I own the SRK in 3V, and wish I had now bought the same knife in San Mai. Thank you again for a good presentation.
Thanks for watching and for the suggestions!
4v steel has entered the chat.
All the V's!
The sentence at 6:35 doesn’t make any sense. Wear resistance and edge retention are the same thing...so is toughness and strength
"Vonad-ium" i thought it was "vand-ium"
Put a southern twang and spice on it and there ya go
Please give credit to Larrin Thomas for all the information you stated.
We love Larrin Thomas and use knifesteelnerds.com all the time! We not only give him credit but refer people to his work often
Hello mon ami américain 🇺🇸🫡 nous allons devenir incollable sur les aciers grâce à SMKW c'est bien je trouve qu il faut savoir les différents acier le minimum quand on n'est fan de couteaux
Nous aimons les couteaux ! Leur histoire, les raisons pour lesquelles les formes et les styles sont faits tels qu'ils sont, et de quoi ils sont faits aussi.
I'm going to name my next 3V design, "The Harry Johnstin." 🥸