| Metric | M390 | S35VN |
|---|---|---|
| Toughness | 3.5 | 5 |
| Edge Retention | 6.5 | 5 |
| Corrosion Resistance | 9 | 7.5 |
| Avg/Target HRC | 60.6 | 58.9 |
| Manufacturer | Bohler-Uddeholm | Crucible Industries |
| Category | Stainless | Stainless |
M390 vs S35VN
M390 vs S35VN knife steel comparison using sourced ratings and hardness data from Knife Steel Nerds and SteelHardnessLab.
A frequent practical EDC decision point across many production folders.
Quick Take
- Toughness: S35VN leads (5/10 vs 3.5/10 for M390).
- Edge retention: M390 leads (6.5/10 vs 5/10 for S35VN).
- Corrosion resistance: M390 leads (9/10 vs 7.5/10 for S35VN).
Also searched as: M390 (204P, 20CV, Bohler M390, Bohler M390MK, CPM-20CV, CTS-204P)
Also searched as: S35VN (CPM-S35VN, CPM-S35Vn)
FAQ
Is M390 better than S35VN overall?
Toughness: S35VN leads (5/10 vs 3.5/10 for M390). Edge retention: M390 leads (6.5/10 vs 5/10 for S35VN). Corrosion resistance: M390 leads (9/10 vs 7.5/10 for S35VN).
Where do these values come from?
Ratings are attributed to Knife Steel Nerds; hardness measurements are attributed to SteelHardnessLab testing by u/679696 and u/Skylark427.