I missed out on the first run. A new Kapara arrives tomorrow. I broke a Buck General in 68 in RVN jungle (Army Infantry draftee - you can thank LBJ for my service). Broke a Western Bowie on a moose rib along Tanana R. in 85 in Alaska. My best knives when I was an outdoorsman in Alaska back in the day were 440C. I now have at least a dozen M390 blades as well as several in D2 (mostly Doziers), VG10, laminated VG10, 20CV, S35VN, M4, 3V, 4V, S90V, CPM Cruwear, CPM 154 and CTS XHP. I own Militarys in ATS 34, 440V (x2), S30V and S110V - purchased in that order. I have more S30V blades than any man could possibly justify. It has always been a favorite steel of mine. I can't decide if being a knife junkie is a blessing or a curse? 2 superb Viper Keys in M390 last week. Getting a bit old to be behaving like this! I'm good with an S30V Kapara at the price point. Quality is remembered long after price is forgotten. Thanks for your videos Michael. You truly are an inspiration and a blessing to us addicts.
I don't know how many guys know how fine the apex has to be to whittle WITH the grain... Stupid edge brother. Great discussion. Yea... love me some s30v.... but not at damn near $200. Just like you said, im thinking why do such a great job on the rest of the knife but keep it so vanilla with the steel? Sprint runs.... that's why. Its how spyderco gets steel nerds like me to buy the same knife more than once..lol It's a Great business plan.
SuperSteel Steve initially, I agree with you. However, Spyderco doesn’t do many sprint runs each year. Seems like more of what we see are dealer exclusives. It would be up to the dealers to do runs in different steels, and we don’t even know if Spyderco is giving that option. I worry that we won’t see a sprint in this model.
@@michaelchristy4982 actually that's a great point... it is mostly dealer exclusives. I stand corrected .... again lol And your probably right, I cant think of a taichung sprint.. Japan, Colorado, and Italy are all that come to mind. An upgrade in steel would also more than likely push it over the $200 limit which seems to be a threshold for most guys. Me included lol I still might grab one... looks like a solid knife.
@@michaelchristy4982 you know.. after thinking about it... While your right about most of the Sprint runs coming from dealers and not spyderco itself, fact is spyderco still gets paid for making them you know? Lol Maybe not the Kapara, but its probably the reason most of the Colorado models that come out are in s30v.
SuperSteel Steve I think it’s a matter of steel availability. If they do the initial run in S30V, and people buy a ton of them, they can get more S30V to accommodate the sales. If it’s a sprint run or exclusive, they only have to make a limited number. They know ahead of time if they can get (or have) enough of a given steel to do the run.
Love your videos! Im used to people bringing me knives that all need reprofiling and I never bothered taking knives past 600 grit until I watched yours. Now I want some finer stones and strops. But those guys that bring me beaters wont get an edge like that.
I think it was the best design they released in 2018. I’ve really enjoyed using mine. The ergo’s, fit and finish, and grind are great. I think the steel should’ve been stepped up to say XHP. I would’ve liked S90V also, but I’m really enjoying my Manly Peak in that steel. The factory edge was great, just took a little strop time to clean it up. I bought mine through eBay when they had a 15% off any item code, so that took the sting out of the price for me.
Wow! Impressive hair whittling edge. One of these days you’ll be whittling tiny skulls into the hairs. I held back on the Kapara (price & steel) but after your review and other research, I think I’ll add it to the collection. Thanks for the vids.
Finally got around to getting one on this months restock. Thanks for another great review. The whole S30V debate is dead because of how well these have sold. Almost Sprint like!
I wish it was mid-lock, considering the detent failed on my Para 3 and sliced me up good. I'm not trusting a liner or a compression lock for a long time. I also had a Kershaw Skyline, which I loved by the way, fail and do the same thing, minus the 2 stitches. The detent needs to be machined and executed properly. I've seen liner locks fail a few time just by pulled out of a cardboard box. It puts enough back pressure on the mechanism to disengage the lock. My Endura in V-Toku 2 is my carry now.
I agree with you for me spyderco need to do 2 version of this knife: one for gentleman and another for a daily edc tasks. Two knives, two different steel and details approch but one design.
I agree about the S30, even in XHP, I would have been much more interested. Still, I love the look of that thing! I may still pull the trigger on one. Great video. Amazing edge! (Even more so than usual!)
usually I love the forward finger choil on spider cuz but in this case I like how they brought it back and made the choil at the front of the scales it just looks fitting with the design of this knife
George Frazier I’m glad the video came in clear. I shot, edited and posted the video in 4K, which is really difficult to do, so I’m glad someone got some value from it.
Michael Christy I noticed how good it looked right away , at least you have some positive feedback. Another one of my hobbies is audio/video. Looked great👍
Great review as usual Michael. I bought this knife on the secondary market. The previous owner replaced the backspacer with the lighter red one from the designer and put on a RGT clip, which I prefer to the Spyderco wire clip on my Taichung knives. I got over $100 of upgrades and paid less than retail on a knife that the guy didn't carry. And it is the QCI version. Sometimes the secondary market pays off. Love the knife.
A sprint run or a 2.0 is bound to happen with upgraded steel Would like to see it in lc200n being food prep is the target and after going in on the edge it’s a steel that holds up to more then decent use
Anthony P I hear you about food prep, particularly for edc food prep, when you don’t have access to a sink for cleaning, sometimes you don’t even have a clean towel to dry with and need to air dry.
I was looking through some of your old videos for an s30v review the other day just to hear your thoughts. I’d really like to pick up the Kapara also. Let us know how it does in every day tasks over time. Thank you for reviewing this knife.
That model was designed to function like a make shift food prep knife and EDC like the spydiechef. Dunno why they didn't do LC200N either but like you say S30V takes a nice edge and if you sharpen right like I am sure you do... Retention isnt bad at all. S30v is nice steel, it just doesn't give knife guys the "warm fuzzy" feeling new steels do. I like it though. It is like my 8 year old dog... She isn't as fast as a younger dog, but she will fetch every single time and I know how to get her to.
Dude, you aren’t kidding about those Taiwan edges. I just got a Sage 5 lw in...and the stupid thing violins hair right out of the box. Flies open and free falls shut on a perfect center. They should send all of the employees from Colorado, Japan and China through that shop, point and yell “manamaaa! *click click* xiu xaaa!” and make them take notes. There’s some genius work coming out of that place...
So I’m am fairly new to freehand sharpening. I had purchased three DMT 3+8 plates. The extra coarse,coarse and fine. They have started to dull quite heavily. So now I would like to switch from the DMT to the new resin or metallic. What would you recommend
alexander howa I would suggest getting vitrified diamond stones from Practical Sharpening. But you need to understand, regardless of what diamond you’re using, to use light pressure. DMT plates break in after some initial use. If you’re noticing that breaking in, they’re supposed to do that. If they’re no longer cutting after short use, you’re using them wrong and you need to correct what you’re doing. You always use light pressure with diamond.
I really appreciate you responding to my messages. The extra course plate started to get dull after I started sharpening maxamet. But I’m sure I was using them wrong. These plates your talking about can be brought back to life correct?
alexander howa if they’re from DMT, you can have DMT put new diamond on them, but it costs close to the same as getting new plates (from what I understand), so why not buy new ones. The vitrified diamond water stones release abrasive, so they refresh themselves. Occasionally they’ll need to be flattened, but that should be it. They’re expensive though. Extra coarse is really rough. I don’t even use that to reprofile. Try wetting the plate surface and sharpening on them. You might still be alright and have life left in them.
From my experience Fantoni and Microtech have the best s30v and s35vn. Only downside with Fantoni is they're a bit thick behind the edge. Microtech(from the 6 I've owned) keep their edge below 20 thou, such more Spydercos came like that.
I don't mind S30V, but the idea that is could have used LC200N and been a runaway Allstar has kept me from pulling the trigger. I think most new knives should just launch with S30V, LC200N, and 20CV at different prices and let people pick the right steel for their use.
I'm not a steel snob but, like you, I already have plenty of knives with that steel. I think it's still very good for most uses, even if not the latest and greatest.
EverydayPatriot I don’t consider myself a steel snob. I like the right steel for the right knife. I think that 1095 on GEC’s is perfect. I think that S30V on standard PM2’s makes perfect sense. I think that this knife should have had something different.
Wooooo hoooooo! Coffee.... check Cruwear pm2.... check Picture of Pete as "uncle Randy "...check Family locked in basement... check Let the MC vid begin!
@Magnum Mountaineer yea... Benchmade and Spyderco are getting into that $200 + range where guys like WE and Bestech are gonna kill them in today's market. Titanium frame lock flipper on bearings with high F@F... they(WE, Reate, Bestech) have that in spades you know?
My Man,,,I have a few sharpening systems,hones,compounds. Looking to acquire dmt stones. I see they sell a kit. Maybe the extra course will never be used so looking to know from you if you recommend picking off individuals and which ones. Medium,fine,extra fine is what I’m thinking to get proper edge followed my leather hone and diamond compound. For other situations where I need to re tip a blade or take away enough metal to get chips gone I’m thinking the the course and possibly the extra course are also worth having. Need to mention I’ll be working on fixed blades. I have over 30 customs and a portion that’s semi custom ranging in carbon to super steels. A couple of these knives are as thin as what you’d expect from a folder. DMT stones are what I’m leaning towards over whet stones cause of the speed you’ll get the desired end result and less up keep on dmt compared to more traditional whet stones that involve keeping soaked while in use,proper storage and the fact that every so often their needed to re flatten flush. Thx
Anthony P you are correct that DMT plates are less hassle. I think that the DMT C, F, and a finisher, either XXF or Ken Schwartz 3K are the bare essentials. If you can find what you want in a kit, that may be the best option. If not, go for them individually.
Great looking knife, but not my style. Nothing wrong with s30v one of my favorites i like to finish it with brown Spyderco stone and stropps it gets an wicked bite.
Do you feel the design of the knife suffers for lack of a sharpening choil? It seems the designer, Allister Phillips, has a video showing how to add a choil.
Thanks for the video, great review as always. This knife has my attention but like others say the cost doesn’t reflect the materials. I think if it were a 3in and $50 less I’d own it already. Nice edge what are you using for the final stropping? You said .1 is that spray or lapping film or paste? And where did you obtain it?
Thanx Michael for the review. I wanted to get your opinion. I’m in the market for a EDC that I will use at work & daily user. I’m stuck between thie Kapara or the PM2 M4. I know the PM2 M4 is more but I have enough for it. Would you rather EDC the Kapara or the PM2 M4? Thanks buddy! Always respect your opinion & knowledge!
Mr.DeLaCruz 559 I think they’re two different knives. The Kapara is lighter duty in my opinion. The PM2 is a work horse. The choice is yours, my friend.
I returned mine. I had to leave the pivot screw loose to use the compression lock properly. That caused a lot of blade play. I expected more from a $188 knife.
@@michaelchristy4982 The real problem is I liked the knife a lot. It felt great in my hand and performed well. I might get another in the future. We will see.
@@michaelchristy4982 I understand you had problems with the sharpness using the naniwa as a finishing stone on some steels. Did you have a burr after the naniwa?
I wonder how Spyderco's Taichung S30V compares to Spyderco's Colorado's S30V, with the Military's being a hard use folder. Lol, BTW have you watched SuperSteal Steve lately, "Benchmade vs Spyderco's S30V". Anyhow, I was thinking tougher HT for the Military's, but I dunno, just a thought.
Hey quick question. That 6k grit is a cbn waterstone right? And on practical sharpening I see there is a jis 5000 and jis 8000...did you get a special stone or just convert the 8000 to USA grit rating or something. It's always so confusing! I'm look for a finisher for after my Schwartz 3k diamond stone so I have another relatively easy option instead of the uf stone. Any recommendations
@@michaelchristy4982 Ohh ya that makes sense...to review it. How about the 6k naniwa diamond Whetstone...I know you have tried those but I forgot what your final thought on it was. I think you liked the cbn ones better. The vitrified ones. But I found a decent price 6k naniwa diamond and thinking about it. I mean I have splash and go choseras and the arashiyama and kitiyama for after my 3k diamond if I really wanted to but seems like the diamond whet stones would be a bit less messy and easier to handle
@@michaelchristy4982 That would be a great video. A second thoughts thing after getting used to the cbn ones. I just got a CKF Mkad Farko from knifecenter on sale for 197$ btw. They do a great job and even give a full extra set of screws and even a whole new pivot and bearing washers/thrust and even an extra ss lockbar insert and anodized clip! Great knife too.
Jason Daniel Stone I haven’t used Benchmade’s S30V recently, so I can’t make a comparison of my own, but I haven’t seen anything showing a huge difference between the two brands in performance.
@@michaelchristy4982 SuperSteel Steve has posted some testing videos between Benchmade and Spyderco's s30v recently, and in his tests Benchmade's s30v has shown better edge retention.
@@michaelchristy4982 I was wondering because of a Super Steel Steve video, but a different one, where he was sharpening a Spyderco in S30V and had an issue with getting it to whittle hair. I have experienced a similar issue with a Benchmade in S30V. The Kapara seemed to sharpen well.
Michael Christy: I have a sharpening question for you. When it comes to scratch patterns, would there truly be any performance difference of any kind between a knife sharpening straight back and forth creating a scratch pattern that is perpendicular to the edge (edge to spine), or a knife with a circular scratch pattern sharpening using circular motions? Most people advocate sharpening so the scratches are all uniform in roughly in an edge-to-spine direction, but I have NEVER seen any actual scientific evidence to prove that having an edge-to-spine scratch pattern is any better than a circular one when it comes to the resulting performance of the knife. All people can seem to offer up is opinion or anecdotes, that’s it.
Dan Schwemin Jr edge to spine is the way to go. Depending on the steel, it can make a difference in the sharpness you’re getting at the end. Also, in some cases it helps with edge toughness. Watch my Maxamet rant video.
I have watched it and essentially all you did was make the statement with no proof of concept to back it up. Do you have any quantifiable proof of this? Have you ever actually tested this? Do you have any evidence to put forward and show people? Otherwise, like I stated in my previous comment, without proof it’s merely your opinion.
Also, Mike, I’m not trying to be rude so please don’t take it that way at all. I’m simply tired of hearing everyone make essentially the same exact statements that you just did, but when pressed for evidence of some kind, they never have any proof to back up their statement. No testing, no pictures, no quantifiable proof of any kind... I want to finally put this question of scratch pattern to bed and get a real quantifiable answer because I believe it to be nothing more than sharpening voodoo.
Dan Schwemin Jr no offense taken, but I’m not required to provide proof and you’re not required to believe me. You asked and I answered. I’m working on other testing that has stretched out several months and I’m working 50 to 60 hours a week and taking care of a family. I don’t have time to stop and provide a test every time someone asks an obscure question. I’ve had countless people write to me or comment different places about how much that Maxamet video helped them. Try it for yourself and see. Or don’t. But if you do try it, keep in mind, scratch pattern manipulation isn’t just about direction. It’s also about depth and layering.
Understood. However, the entire reason I came to you was because I did precisely that. I’ve done many comparisons between an edge-to-spine scratch pattern and circular scratch pattern and found absolutely no discernible difference in either cutting performance, edge retention, or any other facet of a knife’s performance for that matter. This has led me to theorize that scratch patterns may not be of any importance whatsoever; that as long as you have a true defined apex, the scratch pattern by which you achieved it is completely irrelevant to it’s level of performance. And so my next step would be to come to someone like you that strictly advocates an edge-to-spine scratch pattern and it’s associated claims in hopes that you could offer some form of tangible proof to back up your claim. I find it funny that while so very many supposed sharpening fanatics here on RUclips make the claims that scratch patterns matter, not one has ever actually seemed to have tested it. I was hoping with your skill and means, you’d finally be able to shed some actual light on this issue. I completely understand if it’s something you don’t want, or have time to tackle. Thank you for the response though. I’m still a fan of what you do and support your channel.
@@michaelchristy4982 mind elaborating why? I have no experience with s35VN and most people online say it's a bit better than s30V, IIRC, I think it's apparently easier to sharpen. I was almost gonna buy a Recon 1 in S35VN but now maybe I'll just stick to the XHP version I already have.
All these American steel need to take a step back. Crucible is only fist gen steel. Bolder udaholm is 3rd gen and hands down is 3 times better. Do your research
I've had s30v chip alot. But also have had hap40 and s90v chip. Actually my new 204p pm2 just chipped. Everytime has been on a zip tie or plastic packing band. I think after seeing this with multiple steels its more likely burnt edge as all of them had the factory edge and havent chipped since sharpening. I also dont try and use my knives for harder materials like big zipties and packing bands. I only do when I didnt have the correct tool with me and was being lazy on going to get it. Lol
@@michaelchristy4982 it does but I'm the right tool for the right job kind of guy. And know I shouldn't take a knife with great edge geometry to cut something that's made for snips. All of them were not terrible and able to sharpen out. Zip ties that have caused it were like 1/4" zip ties.
Oh my lord this silliness about s30v!!! Everyone has to have the latest. It’s just bloody silly. The knife is designed for work in the kitchen. What the hell do you need in the kitchen?? A hacksaw made if zdp. It’s just bloody stupid.
![Run Away - Tzuyu(TWICE) ツウィ 쯔위 [Music Bank] | KBS WORLD TV 240906](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/KnHNNyAYiu0/mqdefault.jpg)
Anyone else miss Michael’s videos? He was the best knife reviewer on YT
I missed out on the first run. A new Kapara arrives tomorrow. I broke a Buck General in 68 in RVN jungle (Army Infantry draftee - you can thank LBJ for my service). Broke a Western Bowie on a moose rib along Tanana R. in 85 in Alaska. My best knives when I was an outdoorsman in Alaska back in the day were 440C. I now have at least a dozen M390 blades as well as several in D2 (mostly Doziers), VG10, laminated VG10, 20CV, S35VN, M4, 3V, 4V, S90V, CPM Cruwear, CPM 154 and CTS XHP. I own Militarys in ATS 34, 440V (x2), S30V and S110V - purchased in that order. I have more S30V blades than any man could possibly justify. It has always been a favorite steel of mine. I can't decide if being a knife junkie is a blessing or a curse? 2 superb Viper Keys in M390 last week. Getting a bit old to be behaving like this! I'm good with an S30V Kapara at the price point. Quality is remembered long after price is forgotten. Thanks for your videos Michael. You truly are an inspiration and a blessing to us addicts.
I had to go back and watch this again. Great video and I really think this knife has become a favorite of mine. Thank you for the video.
You make great videos brother, I really appreciate all the time and effort you put into them. Hope life’s treating you well man, God bless
Prestonscott536 thank you.
I don't know how many guys know how fine the apex has to be to whittle WITH the grain...
Stupid edge brother.
Great discussion.
Yea... love me some s30v.... but not at damn near $200.
Just like you said, im thinking why do such a great job on the rest of the knife but keep it so vanilla with the steel?
Sprint runs.... that's why.
Its how spyderco gets steel nerds like me to buy the same knife more than once..lol
It's a Great business plan.
SuperSteel Steve initially, I agree with you. However, Spyderco doesn’t do many sprint runs each year. Seems like more of what we see are dealer exclusives. It would be up to the dealers to do runs in different steels, and we don’t even know if Spyderco is giving that option. I worry that we won’t see a sprint in this model.
@@michaelchristy4982 actually that's a great point... it is mostly dealer exclusives.
I stand corrected .... again lol
And your probably right, I cant think of a taichung sprint.. Japan, Colorado, and Italy are all that come to mind.
An upgrade in steel would also more than likely push it over the $200 limit which seems to be a threshold for most guys. Me included lol
I still might grab one... looks like a solid knife.
SuperSteel Steve I’d go $220-$230 for the steel upgrade, and that’s more then enough to do it.
@@michaelchristy4982 you know.. after thinking about it...
While your right about most of the Sprint runs coming from dealers and not spyderco itself, fact is spyderco still gets paid for making them you know? Lol
Maybe not the Kapara, but its probably the reason most of the Colorado models that come out are in s30v.
SuperSteel Steve I think it’s a matter of steel availability. If they do the initial run in S30V, and people buy a ton of them, they can get more S30V to accommodate the sales. If it’s a sprint run or exclusive, they only have to make a limited number. They know ahead of time if they can get (or have) enough of a given steel to do the run.
Love your videos! Im used to people bringing me knives that all need reprofiling and I never bothered taking knives past 600 grit until I watched yours. Now I want some finer stones and strops. But those guys that bring me beaters wont get an edge like that.
I think it was the best design they released in 2018. I’ve really enjoyed using mine. The ergo’s, fit and finish, and grind are great. I think the steel should’ve been stepped up to say XHP. I would’ve liked S90V also, but I’m really enjoying my Manly Peak in that steel. The factory edge was great, just took a little strop time to clean it up. I bought mine through eBay when they had a 15% off any item code, so that took the sting out of the price for me.
VERY nice knife, and wow Mr Christy's skills are just out there!
Jonathan LeBlanc thank you.
Ok I'm sold. I've been on the fence but a good review of the ergos was enough to push me over the top. Top notch review as always brother.
kevin ogrady thank you, brother.
Nice video and sharpening as always.
Wow! Impressive hair whittling edge. One of these days you’ll be whittling tiny skulls into the hairs. I held back on the Kapara (price & steel) but after your review and other research, I think I’ll add it to the collection. Thanks for the vids.
Nice review! It’s an interesting and good looking knife. I really enjoy the blade shape.
Paul Schuette thank you. I agree, it’s an interesting design.
Looking forward to a followup video after a lot of use. I got one a week ago and am really happy with it.
Looks like a great slicer and the blade and handle shape is really nice!! Thanks for sharing!!!
I was on the fence too...but I'm sold now. Gonna go buy it. Informative and interesting video like always
Paul Lonardo thank you.
S30V is my favorite pocket knife steel. Price seems right on point given CF handle scales.
shrubjr893 then you should pick one up.
I agree with the s30v. The Edge does that thing takes is Simply Amazing. I have been using a hand sharpening technique and splitting hairs easily
Finally got around to getting one on this months restock. Thanks for another great review.
The whole S30V debate is dead because of how well these have sold. Almost Sprint like!
Mine arrives tomorrow!
I wish it was mid-lock, considering the detent failed on my Para 3 and sliced me up good. I'm not trusting a liner or a compression lock for a long time. I also had a Kershaw Skyline, which I loved by the way, fail and do the same thing, minus the 2 stitches. The detent needs to be machined and executed properly. I've seen liner locks fail a few time just by pulled out of a cardboard box. It puts enough back pressure on the mechanism to disengage the lock. My Endura in V-Toku 2 is my carry now.
I agree with you for me spyderco need to do 2 version of this knife: one for gentleman and another for a daily edc tasks. Two knives, two different steel and details approch but one design.
I agree about the S30, even in XHP, I would have been much more interested. Still, I love the look of that thing! I may still pull the trigger on one. Great video. Amazing edge! (Even more so than usual!)
usually I love the forward finger choil on spider cuz but in this case I like how they brought it back and made the choil at the front of the scales it just looks fitting with the design of this knife
Great Video Review, Man your video really is sharp and crisp on our end on my 5k Mac, clear as hell, nice job on the sharpening and review as always.
George Frazier I’m glad the video came in clear. I shot, edited and posted the video in 4K, which is really difficult to do, so I’m glad someone got some value from it.
George Frazier they’re not all going to be done in 4K because it causes too many problems, but I might take it there from time to time.
Michael Christy I noticed how good it looked right away , at least you have some positive feedback. Another one of my hobbies is audio/video. Looked great👍
I thought it looked better too (viewing on 4k Sony xz premium phone).
Loving the vids, keep it up!
Jonathan Clifton thanks.
I'm glad your enjoying it! Great video Michael!!
Great review video. I really like the look of this knife!
I got one coming in a few days. You just made me more excited
Can't do it. $190 for s30v. Spyderco's s30v is fine but it's not like Buck's. Great vid. Maybe a sprint will happen one day.
The Ace hopefully we do get a sprint run.
The Ace Taichung never does sprints
@@bp-hx9ts there's a first time for everything!
@@bp-hx9ts spyderco ppt had. Sprint run made in s90v carbon fiber made in taichung
Great review as usual Michael. I bought this knife on the secondary market. The previous owner replaced the backspacer with the lighter red one from the designer and put on a RGT clip, which I prefer to the Spyderco wire clip on my Taichung knives. I got over $100 of upgrades and paid less than retail on a knife that the guy didn't carry. And it is the QCI version. Sometimes the secondary market pays off. Love the knife.
Enjoyed the video. Interesting knife, one I'll have to look into. Thanks for posting.
A sprint run or a 2.0 is bound to happen with upgraded steel
Would like to see it in lc200n being food prep is the target and after going in on the edge it’s a steel that holds up to more then decent use
Amen
Anthony P I hear you about food prep, particularly for edc food prep, when you don’t have access to a sink for cleaning, sometimes you don’t even have a clean towel to dry with and need to air dry.
I was looking through some of your old videos for an s30v review the other day just to hear your thoughts. I’d really like to pick up the Kapara also. Let us know how it does in every day tasks over time. Thank you for reviewing this knife.
Cark Nelson I really talked about S30V in my first review of the Para 3.
Michael Christy
Okay great I'll check it out.
My first para 3 in s30v chipped from light use then I sharpened it and really beat on it and it held up.
s110v it would have been great. but I'll never buy s30v when there are better steels!!! great video. Thanks for your time.
Spot on about not being S90V!
That model was designed to function like a make shift food prep knife and EDC like the spydiechef. Dunno why they didn't do LC200N either but like you say S30V takes a nice edge and if you sharpen right like I am sure you do... Retention isnt bad at all. S30v is nice steel, it just doesn't give knife guys the "warm fuzzy" feeling new steels do. I like it though. It is like my 8 year old dog... She isn't as fast as a younger dog, but she will fetch every single time and I know how to get her to.
Maxwell Super LC200N would have been an interesting choice for the model.
Admiring people who good at freehand sharpening, it is really an artisan skill.
Hi Micheal, I think design of handles and blade is the most interesting parts of this knives.....
Nice review, peaked my interest!
Dude, you aren’t kidding about those Taiwan edges. I just got a Sage 5 lw in...and the stupid thing violins hair right out of the box. Flies open and free falls shut on a perfect center. They should send all of the employees from Colorado, Japan and China through that shop, point and yell “manamaaa! *click click* xiu xaaa!” and make them take notes. There’s some genius work coming out of that place...
I’m waiting for steel sprints on Kapara, K390, 204p, cruwear all would be good as would m390 or 10v. Or vanax, or S90v.
Thanks for all your expertise. I have a question for the master.
alexander howa well, if why you mean is that you have a question for me, go ahead.
So I’m am fairly new to freehand sharpening. I had purchased three DMT 3+8 plates. The extra coarse,coarse and fine. They have started to dull quite heavily. So now I would like to switch from the DMT to the new resin or metallic. What would you recommend
alexander howa I would suggest getting vitrified diamond stones from Practical Sharpening. But you need to understand, regardless of what diamond you’re using, to use light pressure. DMT plates break in after some initial use. If you’re noticing that breaking in, they’re supposed to do that. If they’re no longer cutting after short use, you’re using them wrong and you need to correct what you’re doing.
You always use light pressure with diamond.
I really appreciate you responding to my messages. The extra course plate started to get dull after I started sharpening maxamet. But I’m sure I was using them wrong. These plates your talking about can be brought back to life correct?
alexander howa if they’re from DMT, you can have DMT put new diamond on them, but it costs close to the same as getting new plates (from what I understand), so why not buy new ones.
The vitrified diamond water stones release abrasive, so they refresh themselves. Occasionally they’ll need to be flattened, but that should be it. They’re expensive though.
Extra coarse is really rough. I don’t even use that to reprofile. Try wetting the plate surface and sharpening on them. You might still be alright and have life left in them.
Great objective review thx
Great Work and Review M!!! And that Hair Whittling :-)))
Mark Anthony Stringfellow thanks. That edge really did come up.
Lol knew u would grab this brotha. Very interested . compression flipper. Ooowee
AWESOME REVIEW MAN
Skywarp 41 thanks.
Would trade that carbon fiber for g10 and a steel upgrade. Gorgeous blade though, love the lines.
I agree, s30v is a dissapointment on some of these newer models. I think the Kapara at least deserves something like 204p or M4.
From my experience Fantoni and Microtech have the best s30v and s35vn. Only downside with Fantoni is they're a bit thick behind the edge. Microtech(from the 6 I've owned) keep their edge below 20 thou, such more Spydercos came like that.
I don't mind S30V, but the idea that is could have used LC200N and been a runaway Allstar has kept me from pulling the trigger. I think most new knives should just launch with S30V, LC200N, and 20CV at different prices and let people pick the right steel for their use.
Metal Effort that’s an interesting idea.
I'm not a steel snob but, like you, I already have plenty of knives with that steel. I think it's still very good for most uses, even if not the latest and greatest.
EverydayPatriot I don’t consider myself a steel snob. I like the right steel for the right knife. I think that 1095 on GEC’s is perfect. I think that S30V on standard PM2’s makes perfect sense. I think that this knife should have had something different.
Wooooo hoooooo!
Coffee.... check
Cruwear pm2.... check
Picture of Pete as "uncle Randy "...check
Family locked in basement... check
Let the MC vid begin!
@Magnum Mountaineer yep... Spyderco and BM price points are nearly identical now.
@Magnum Mountaineer yea... Benchmade and Spyderco are getting into that $200 + range where guys like WE and Bestech are gonna kill them in today's market.
Titanium frame lock flipper on bearings with high F@F... they(WE, Reate, Bestech) have that in spades you know?
My Man,,,I have a few sharpening systems,hones,compounds. Looking to acquire dmt stones. I see they sell a kit. Maybe the extra course will never be used so looking to know from you if you recommend picking off individuals and which ones. Medium,fine,extra fine is what I’m thinking to get proper edge followed my leather hone and diamond compound. For other situations where I need to re tip a blade or take away enough metal to get chips gone I’m thinking the the course and possibly the extra course are also worth having. Need to mention I’ll be working on fixed blades. I have over 30 customs and a portion that’s semi custom ranging in carbon to super steels. A couple of these knives are as thin as what you’d expect from a folder.
DMT stones are what I’m leaning towards over whet stones cause of the speed you’ll get the desired end result and less up keep on dmt compared to more traditional whet stones that involve keeping soaked while in use,proper storage and the fact that every so often their needed to re flatten flush.
Thx
Anthony P you are correct that DMT plates are less hassle. I think that the DMT C, F, and a finisher, either XXF or Ken Schwartz 3K are the bare essentials.
If you can find what you want in a kit, that may be the best option. If not, go for them individually.
Great looking knife, but not my style. Nothing wrong with s30v one of my favorites i like to finish it with brown Spyderco stone and stropps it gets an wicked bite.
Nice review Michael! How thick behind the edge is the Kapara ground?
Love your videos, great job man. Keep it up. In your opinion if you could only buy 1 para 3 what steel would you get? 4v or Cruwear?
Jarett Grover CruWear
Do you feel the design of the knife suffers for lack of a sharpening choil? It seems the designer, Allister Phillips, has a video showing how to add a choil.
Thanks for the video, great review as always. This knife has my attention but like others say the cost doesn’t reflect the materials. I think if it were a 3in and $50 less I’d own it already. Nice edge what are you using for the final stropping? You said .1 is that spray or lapping film or paste? And where did you obtain it?
Steve Milk thanks. The compounds used were all Poly diamond emulsion from Ken Schwartz, and I got them directly from Ken.
Thanks
Thanx Michael for the review. I wanted to get your opinion. I’m in the market for a EDC that I will use at work & daily user. I’m stuck between thie Kapara or the PM2 M4. I know the PM2 M4 is more but I have enough for it. Would you rather EDC the Kapara or the PM2 M4? Thanks buddy! Always respect your opinion & knowledge!
Mr.DeLaCruz 559 I think they’re two different knives. The Kapara is lighter duty in my opinion. The PM2 is a work horse. The choice is yours, my friend.
Is it OK to sharpen S30V with Aluminum Oxide abrasives? How would it compare to using diamond abrasives? Thanks for your help!
I returned mine. I had to leave the pivot screw loose to use the compression lock properly. That caused a lot of blade play. I expected more from a $188 knife.
Mike Likes Knives that sucks. Sorry to hear that.
@@michaelchristy4982 The real problem is I liked the knife a lot. It felt great in my hand and performed well. I might get another in the future. We will see.
How would you compare the 6k from practical sharpening to the 6k naniwa diamond stone?From this video it appears that you like this one more.
CB metalworks the 6K from Practical Sharpening is performing better for me, but I should revisit the Naniwa.
@@michaelchristy4982 I understand you had problems with the sharpness using the naniwa as a finishing stone on some steels. Did you have a burr after the naniwa?
CB metalworks I believe so. It’s been a while.
I wonder how Spyderco's Taichung S30V compares to Spyderco's Colorado's S30V, with the Military's being a hard use folder. Lol, BTW have you watched SuperSteal Steve lately, "Benchmade vs Spyderco's S30V". Anyhow, I was thinking tougher HT for the Military's, but I dunno, just a thought.
I recently saw a Manix 2 in 4V. Have you ever tested this steel before?
Ryan Bryant yes. I have several videos with 4V.
Hey quick question. That 6k grit is a cbn waterstone right? And on practical sharpening I see there is a jis 5000 and jis 8000...did you get a special stone or just convert the 8000 to USA grit rating or something. It's always so confusing! I'm look for a finisher for after my Schwartz 3k diamond stone so I have another relatively easy option instead of the uf stone. Any recommendations
Paul Lonardo what I have is a prototype.
@@michaelchristy4982 Ohh ya that makes sense...to review it. How about the 6k naniwa diamond Whetstone...I know you have tried those but I forgot what your final thought on it was. I think you liked the cbn ones better. The vitrified ones. But I found a decent price 6k naniwa diamond and thinking about it. I mean I have splash and go choseras and the arashiyama and kitiyama for after my 3k diamond if I really wanted to but seems like the diamond whet stones would be a bit less messy and easier to handle
Paul Lonardo I want to go back to the Naniwa’s and see what I think about them. It’s been a while.
@@michaelchristy4982 That would be a great video. A second thoughts thing after getting used to the cbn ones. I just got a CKF Mkad Farko from knifecenter on sale for 197$ btw. They do a great job and even give a full extra set of screws and even a whole new pivot and bearing washers/thrust and even an extra ss lockbar insert and anodized clip! Great knife too.
Paul Lonardo cool. I’ll have to look into it.
Looks like a great knife! How do you like Spyderco's S30V vs Benchmades S30V? Or does it depend or differ with the knife?
Jason Daniel Stone I haven’t used Benchmade’s S30V recently, so I can’t make a comparison of my own, but I haven’t seen anything showing a huge difference between the two brands in performance.
@@michaelchristy4982 SuperSteel Steve has posted some testing videos between Benchmade and Spyderco's s30v recently, and in his tests Benchmade's s30v has shown better edge retention.
chris pregent I’ve seen his videos.
@@michaelchristy4982 I was wondering because of a Super Steel Steve video, but a different one, where he was sharpening a Spyderco in S30V and had an issue with getting it to whittle hair. I have experienced a similar issue with a Benchmade in S30V. The Kapara seemed to sharpen well.
@@michaelchristy4982 I like sharpening both Sypderco's and Benchmade's S30V. It's a great steel for EDC.
Kapara vs Osborne 940, and not the pm2, is the better match up. Cos that’s what I’ve been seeing in RUclips
Welll said...
Damen0530 thank you.
Michael Christy: I have a sharpening question for you.
When it comes to scratch patterns, would there truly be any performance difference of any kind between a knife sharpening straight back and forth creating a scratch pattern that is perpendicular to the edge (edge to spine), or a knife with a circular scratch pattern sharpening using circular motions?
Most people advocate sharpening so the scratches are all uniform in roughly in an edge-to-spine direction, but I have NEVER seen any actual scientific evidence to prove that having an edge-to-spine scratch pattern is any better than a circular one when it comes to the resulting performance of the knife. All people can seem to offer up is opinion or anecdotes, that’s it.
Dan Schwemin Jr edge to spine is the way to go. Depending on the steel, it can make a difference in the sharpness you’re getting at the end. Also, in some cases it helps with edge toughness. Watch my Maxamet rant video.
I have watched it and essentially all you did was make the statement with no proof of concept to back it up.
Do you have any quantifiable proof of this? Have you ever actually tested this? Do you have any evidence to put forward and show people? Otherwise, like I stated in my previous comment, without proof it’s merely your opinion.
Also, Mike, I’m not trying to be rude so please don’t take it that way at all. I’m simply tired of hearing everyone make essentially the same exact statements that you just did, but when pressed for evidence of some kind, they never have any proof to back up their statement. No testing, no pictures, no quantifiable proof of any kind... I want to finally put this question of scratch pattern to bed and get a real quantifiable answer because I believe it to be nothing more than sharpening voodoo.
Dan Schwemin Jr no offense taken, but I’m not required to provide proof and you’re not required to believe me. You asked and I answered. I’m working on other testing that has stretched out several months and I’m working 50 to 60 hours a week and taking care of a family. I don’t have time to stop and provide a test every time someone asks an obscure question. I’ve had countless people write to me or comment different places about how much that Maxamet video helped them. Try it for yourself and see. Or don’t.
But if you do try it, keep in mind, scratch pattern manipulation isn’t just about direction. It’s also about depth and layering.
Understood. However, the entire reason I came to you was because I did precisely that. I’ve done many comparisons between an edge-to-spine scratch pattern and circular scratch pattern and found absolutely no discernible difference in either cutting performance, edge retention, or any other facet of a knife’s performance for that matter. This has led me to theorize that scratch patterns may not be of any importance whatsoever; that as long as you have a true defined apex, the scratch pattern by which you achieved it is completely irrelevant to it’s level of performance.
And so my next step would be to come to someone like you that strictly advocates an edge-to-spine scratch pattern and it’s associated claims in hopes that you could offer some form of tangible proof to back up your claim.
I find it funny that while so very many supposed sharpening fanatics here on RUclips make the claims that scratch patterns matter, not one has ever actually seemed to have tested it.
I was hoping with your skill and means, you’d finally be able to shed some actual light on this issue. I completely understand if it’s something you don’t want, or have time to tackle. Thank you for the response though. I’m still a fan of what you do and support your channel.
S30V is fine, but it has kept me from buying this as well. I have had to much of it and no need to drop the money on another.
Eric J. I think a lot of people are feeling the same.
Mike, what is the best knife honing group on Facebook ??
Anthony Esposito there’s a lot of good ones. Edge Snobs and Knife Sharpening and Restoration (finer details) are both very good ones.
@@michaelchristy4982 Thanks
I like the handle but not the blade .
You should get a commission.
Why do you prefer s30V to s35VN?
corismsyn the nicest way for me to say it, is that I’m very much not a fan of S35VN.
@@michaelchristy4982 mind elaborating why? I have no experience with s35VN and most people online say it's a bit better than s30V, IIRC, I think it's apparently easier to sharpen. I was almost gonna buy a Recon 1 in S35VN but now maybe I'll just stick to the XHP version I already have.
corismsyn I don’t like the way S35VN sharpens or how it holds an edge.
@@michaelchristy4982 ok thanks
All these American steel need to take a step back. Crucible is only fist gen steel. Bolder udaholm is 3rd gen and hands down is 3 times better. Do your research
O man sick of chippy s30v with how i use blades
convex It’s funny, I’ve never found it to be chippy.
I've had s30v chip alot. But also have had hap40 and s90v chip. Actually my new 204p pm2 just chipped. Everytime has been on a zip tie or plastic packing band. I think after seeing this with multiple steels its more likely burnt edge as all of them had the factory edge and havent chipped since sharpening. I also dont try and use my knives for harder materials like big zipties and packing bands. I only do when I didnt have the correct tool with me and was being lazy on going to get it. Lol
Nasty Nate OutDoors that sucks that you’ve had so many chips.
@@michaelchristy4982 it does but I'm the right tool for the right job kind of guy. And know I shouldn't take a knife with great edge geometry to cut something that's made for snips. All of them were not terrible and able to sharpen out. Zip ties that have caused it were like 1/4" zip ties.
@@michaelchristy4982 i enjoy thrashing folders idk why. The pm3 s30 chips always come out easy though .
Oh my lord this silliness about s30v!!! Everyone has to have the latest. It’s just bloody silly. The knife is designed for work in the kitchen. What the hell do you need in the kitchen?? A hacksaw made if zdp. It’s just bloody stupid.
You're missing the point of this channel then.
Your missing a lot of hair off your arms . We all no your a knife guy lol
Eldridge Young LoL, nice catch.
8:57 I caught that clip switcharoo editing trick you tried there buddy. Godda do better than that!
Admiring people who good at freehand sharpening, it is really an artisan skill.
Totally agree that it is s30v steel which blocks me to purchase this knife. If it is s90v or others premium, I will fall in love immediately.