In 1996, Crucible Industries developed its CPM S90V, a high-vanadium powder metallurgy stainless steel, in order to push the boundaries of wear resistance in knife blades. Evolving from their CPM-440V (later called S60V), S90V has been a favorite of knifemakers ever since, popularized by the likes of Benchmade and Spyderco in their premium folders.
It wasn’t until the early ’00s that Crucible came out with its tougher, albeit less expensive, S30V. Developed with the help of input from Spyderco co-founder Sal Glesser, among others, S30V also happened to be the first steel specifically developed for use in pocket knives. It was used for Spyderco’s fan-favorite Bodacious folder, released a few years back. But now, the Colorado-based knifemaker has decided to level things up with S90V, making the Bodacious an even-better EDC knife.
From Bull to Blade
Made here in the USA, the Bodacious has always been about strength. Named after the legendary bucking bull that terrorized rodeo arenas in the ’90s — dubbed “the world’s most dangerous bull” — Sal Glesser designed this folder to embody that same indomitable spirit. The broad, leaf-shaped blade features a full-flat grind with a plain edge only (the original has both plain and Spyder Edge options). What made the first Bodacious such a workhorse was its skeletonized stainless steel liners nested in G-10 scales, reliable Compression Lock, and that signature Spyderco Round Hole for one-handed deployment.
The S90V Advantage
While most elements remain the same, this new Sprint Run variant separates itself with its steel upgrade. While S30V has been an industry stalwart for decades, S90V takes things further with its 9% vanadium content. The result is superior wear resistance and edge retention. You’ll go longer between sharpenings, which matters when you’re using a knife daily. However, the tradeoff is that S90V can be more challenging to sharpen when the time comes, so keep that in mind.
The carbon fiber scales are the other major shift here. Replacing the standard G-10, carbon fiber brings a lighter feel without sacrificing structural integrity. The subtle peel-ply texture provides enough grip without being too aggressive, and the visual appeal of woven carbon fiber is an added bonus. At 4.4oz, this isn’t a lightweight flipper by any stretch, but Spyderco somehow made sure that it weighs the same as its predecessor.
Spec Sheet
Model: Spyderco Bodacious Carbon Fiber CPM S90V Sprint Run
Blade Steel: CPM S90V
Blade Length: 3.63″
Overall Length: 8.27″
Closed Length: 4.68″
Handle Material: Carbon Fiber
Lock Type: Compression Lock
Weight: 4.4 oz
Blade Grind: Full-Flat
Origin: USA
Limited Edition: Yes, unspecified
Pricing & Availability
The Spyderco Bodacious Carbon Fiber CPM S90V Sprint Run is available now through Spyderco’s website for $450, though you can find it as lower prices right now at retailers like Blade HQ ($338). As with all Sprint Runs, quantities are limited, so if you’ve been eyeing the Bodacious, this might be the version to jump on.
Recap
Spyderco Bodacious Carbon Fiber CPM S90V Sprint Run
Spyderco just dropped a Sprint Run of its beefy Bodacious folder with a serious upgrade, adding CPM S90V steel for better edge retention and carbon fiber scales, making this an even better EDC folder.
