| Metric | S30V | K390 |
|---|---|---|
| Toughness | 5 | 5.5 |
| Edge Retention | 4 | 7.5 |
| Corrosion Resistance | 7 | 4 |
| Avg/Target HRC | 59.7 | 64.0 |
| Manufacturer | Crucible Industries | Bohler-Uddeholm |
| Category | Stainless | High Alloy Tool Steel |
S30V vs K390
S30V vs K390 knife steel comparison using sourced ratings and hardness data from Knife Steel Nerds and SteelHardnessLab.
Quick Take
- Toughness: K390 leads (5.5/10 vs 5/10 for S30V).
- Edge retention: K390 leads (7.5/10 vs 4/10 for S30V).
- Corrosion resistance: S30V leads (7/10 vs 4/10 for K390).
Also searched as: S30V (CPM S30V)
Also searched as: K390 (Bohler K390, K390 PM)
FAQ
Is S30V better than K390 overall?
Toughness: K390 leads (5.5/10 vs 5/10 for S30V). Edge retention: K390 leads (7.5/10 vs 4/10 for S30V). Corrosion resistance: S30V leads (7/10 vs 4/10 for K390).
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.