I have heard it is a bear to grind but how is performance in comparison with 440V?

The reason I ask is that I may be interested in trying some blades with it.

Craig

Craig, I have no experience with 420V (S90V), so I can't offer much except hearsay. It is supposed to perform very well in terms of edge retention. Testing done at Spyderco on their cutting machine showed that it had 25% better wear resistance than S30V. That tells me that S30V is likely to wear better in the real world, since micro-chipping is another component of dulling, and S30V will resist chipping much better than S90V. Frankly, I'd go with S30V which is a terrific all-around steel.

I use it and it realy holds an edge. It is almost as good as CPM 10V.
Tom

very hard to finish..............GREAT BLADE MATERIAL.

got to try that new 3v stainless next...............:(

I have been using it since it first came out. I have the highest regards for it. In my opinion it is the very best of all the knife steels available at this time. It is hard to get a mirror finish and hard to grind when hardened, BUT it is tough and holds a edge as good as any thing out there and it wont rust under any normal conditions. The very best stainless avalible period.-----Rade