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!

@SMKWcom

Жыл бұрын

3V is awesome!

@danbigboss6484

9 ай бұрын

Possible to order a CPM3V knife from you ?

@Ipo_Ooped_Maself

7 ай бұрын

YeA you have a web site id like To see your knives and maybe buy one

@ThirdoptionJCSU

2 ай бұрын

@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

@aujinaj769

2 ай бұрын

Dude would have 4 new customers from a KZread comment if he just posted a link for us😂!!!!

More steel video, please.

@SMKWcom

Жыл бұрын

More are in the works!

Great video and bit of history to know. Thanks for putting these videos out

@SMKWcom

Жыл бұрын

Thanks for watching! We love doing these 👍

This is really well done and very informative. Great job!

@SMKWcom

Жыл бұрын

Thanks for watching WH!

Love this series. Always interesting.

@SMKWcom

Жыл бұрын

Thanks for watching Grom!

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.

@SMKWcom

16 күн бұрын

Sounds like a good trinity to mess around in!

Always fun to learn New things!!

@SMKWcom

Жыл бұрын

Thanks Mike C!

Interesting bit of history! Knowledge videos are always appreciated.

@SMKWcom

Жыл бұрын

Thanks for watching Shane

Great video. I appreciate you educating us on the origin of 3v

@SMKWcom

Жыл бұрын

Thanks for watching

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.

@sergeantdef.3572

Ай бұрын

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..

Informative and enjoyable, excellent video! 3V is an all time fav.

@SMKWcom

11 ай бұрын

Thanks for watching!

Here because that thumbnail is hysterical...well done.

@kirkpreston4864

Жыл бұрын

Tru

@SMKWcom

Жыл бұрын

Thanks!

I love the thumbnail so much.

@SMKWcom

Жыл бұрын

Thank you!

3V is my all time fav knife steel. Love it.

got my first 3v blade today, SMKW really got me covered - love u guys

@SMKWcom

Жыл бұрын

Awww and we love you too Badger

Solid video as always!!

@SMKWcom

Жыл бұрын

Thanks for watching TAC!

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.

@SMKWcom

5 ай бұрын

Great picks!

Thanks 4 the info always good shows

@SMKWcom

Жыл бұрын

Thanks for watching Joey!

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.

@SMKWcom

Жыл бұрын

Thanks for watching and TC is already making plans to do more!

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.

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...

@SMKWcom

Жыл бұрын

We are looking forward to many more companies using CPM-3V in the future

@hificat101

Жыл бұрын

​@@SMKWcomme too. And in folders. Fixed blades aren't my jam.

@highplains7777

Жыл бұрын

One of my three favorite steels along with AEB-L and Magnacut.

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

3V,definitely a favourite

@SMKWcom

Жыл бұрын

We really dig 3V Marc 👍

Love 3v, my hunting knife and camp knife in 3v take and hold a wicked edge!!

@SMKWcom

Жыл бұрын

We did a Will It Cut with 3V and it really impressed us!

MUCH MORE Steel Videos.., PLZ..!!🇺🇸

@SMKWcom

10 ай бұрын

It may be time for even more!

I've got a Creely Blades Mako in 3v and it's a little BEAST 🔥🔥🔥✌🏻

@SMKWcom

Жыл бұрын

🙌🙌🙌

I have no idea why I love these vids, I’m totally fascinated by steel types, thank you

@SMKWcom

Жыл бұрын

Thanks for watching FA!

@jeffhicks8428

Жыл бұрын

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.

Love my benchmade socp dagger. Wouldn’t carry any other steel on my plate carrier.

@SMKWcom

2 ай бұрын

the SOCP is sweet!

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.

I just ordered a Cold Steel SRK in CPM 3V

@SMKWcom

7 ай бұрын

Nice!

3v is awesome. I also really like cruwear

@SMKWcom

Ай бұрын

Bothe are awesome!

Awesome steel lesson! What about corrosion resistance? Compared to Cpm-s30, or cpm-m4, or cpm-s35?

@drewpfeif5028

Жыл бұрын

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.

I can’t wait to see how well the Reiff S5 Glider Scandi in 3V holds its edge

Nice video thank you.A1

@SMKWcom

Жыл бұрын

Thanks Shay!

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

@SMKWcom

4 ай бұрын

Thanks for watching and for the suggestions!

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?

@christopherwood2796

Жыл бұрын

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).

are you going to get the Reiff F6 back in stock anytime soon?

@SMKWcom

Жыл бұрын

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

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?

@david-onearmedknifemaker-8955

Жыл бұрын

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.

@Slay_No_More

11 ай бұрын

​@@david-onearmedknifemaker-8955I sure hope the Bowie I bought with 3V will be decent.

3V was my favourite non-stainless until i used CruWear.

@SMKWcom

22 күн бұрын

Love both of them 👍

Does z wear pm equivalent 3v ?

dear tc. please sharpen the cpm-3v on camera for all of us like you said you would in this video 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.

@SMKWcom

Жыл бұрын

While 3V can take more time that doesn't make it more difficult, take your time and you will be fine 👍

@GluttonforPunishment

Жыл бұрын

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.

@SMKWcom

Жыл бұрын

@@GluttonforPunishment Thanks for watching

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.

@SMKWcom

3 ай бұрын

If all Cold Steel comes with +5 sharpness and +5 cool lol

Can you please do CTS XHP?

@SMKWcom

Жыл бұрын

Thanks for watching and the suggestion 👍

3v....Harry Johnson approved!! 🫡

@SMKWcom

Жыл бұрын

🙌🙌🙌

All my Cold steel fixed knives are in cpm3v and among them Recon Scout and Loredo bowie are the best and then SRK maybe.

@SMKWcom

2 ай бұрын

Thanks for watching and for the suggestion!

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. 😁

@SMKWcom

Жыл бұрын

1095 is the tried and true friend but we did a Will It Cut with 3V and we were all very impressed

the red one

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

@SMKWcom

Жыл бұрын

We have a series called "Will It Cut" and put a Reiff F6 with CPM-3V blade kzread.info/dash/bejne/eKaj29Zme9G1iKg.html

@KimballPrecisionRifles

Жыл бұрын

Look up knife steel nerds. It’s the best source of blade steel info. Real tests and real results

I love that Cold Steel makes swords out of 3V. I would love to get my hands on one of them.

@SMKWcom

Жыл бұрын

Cold Steel makes some awesome swords!

3v is not a stainless steel correct ? so it’s more prone to rusting ?

i have a not quite unhealthy (yet) obsession with blade steels

@SMKWcom

Жыл бұрын

Thanks for watching and we feel ya in that

3v is the daddy. Its perfect

@SMKWcom

Жыл бұрын

It is sweet!

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!

It sounds like San Mai 3 with its carbon core is sharper than CPM 3v which is more robust!?

My cold steel SRK cpm 3v has a black blade and is my best friend . I would never sell it or give it away.

@SMKWcom

3 ай бұрын

Love the SRK

TC, where did u buy the ring

@SMKWcom

Жыл бұрын

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.

@SMKWcom

7 ай бұрын

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.

4v steel has entered the chat.

@SMKWcom

Жыл бұрын

All the V's!

How does it stack up to k490?

"Vonad-ium" i thought it was "vand-ium"

@SMKWcom

5 ай бұрын

Put a southern twang and spice on it and there ya go

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 kzread.info/dash/bejne/paiqvJSgeamrls4.html , and then watch the same destruction type test on the Cold Steel SRK in VG10 San Mai steel at kzread.info/dash/bejne/Z6WC15tmkrm2n7Q.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.

@SMKWcom

Жыл бұрын

Thanks for watching and for the suggestions!

The sentence at 6:35 doesn’t make any sense. Wear resistance and edge retention are the same thing...so is toughness and strength

Please give credit to Larrin Thomas for all the information you stated.

@SMKWcom

Жыл бұрын

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

@SMKWcom

Жыл бұрын

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." 🥸