| Metric | S45VN | K390 |
|---|---|---|
| Toughness | 4 | 5.5 |
| Edge Retention | 5.5 | 7.5 |
| Corrosion Resistance | 8 | 4 |
| Avg/Target HRC | 61.8 | 64.1 |
| Manufacturer | Crucible Industries | Bohler-Uddeholm |
| Category | Stainless | High Alloy Tool Steel |
S45VN vs K390
S45VN 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 4/10 for S45VN).
- Edge retention: K390 leads (7.5/10 vs 5.5/10 for S45VN).
- Corrosion resistance: S45VN leads (8/10 vs 4/10 for K390).
Also searched as: S45VN (CPM-S45VN, CPM-S45Vn)
Also searched as: K390 (Bohler K294, Bohler K390)
FAQ
Is S45VN better than K390 overall?
Toughness: K390 leads (5.5/10 vs 4/10 for S45VN). Edge retention: K390 leads (7.5/10 vs 5.5/10 for S45VN). Corrosion resistance: S45VN leads (8/10 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.