Powder metallurgy stainless steels for knives

Stainless steels made by powder metallurgy, which keeps carbides small and evenly spread so high-alloy steels stay tough enough for knives.

SteelTypeHRCEdgeToughnessCorrosionSharpeningTier
MagnaCutPowder metallurgy stainless steels61–647895Premium
S45VNPowder metallurgy stainless steels59–616585Premium
M390Powder metallurgy stainless steels60–628493Premium
20CVPowder metallurgy stainless steels59–628493Premium
ElmaxPowder metallurgy stainless steels60–627584Premium
S35VNPowder metallurgy stainless steels58–616575Mid-range
CTS-XHPPowder metallurgy stainless steels60–636475Premium
SG2 (R2)Powder metallurgy stainless steels62–647474Premium
S30VPowder metallurgy stainless steels58–616474Mid-range
S90VPowder metallurgy stainless steels59–629372Premium
ZDP-189Powder metallurgy stainless steels64–679252Ultra-premium

Edge retention vs toughness

Powder metallurgy stainless steels: edge retention vs toughnessMagnaCut: edge 7, toughness 8; S45VN: edge 6, toughness 5; M390: edge 8, toughness 4; 20CV: edge 8, toughness 4; Elmax: edge 7, toughness 5; S35VN: edge 6, toughness 5; CTS-XHP: edge 6, toughness 4; SG2 (R2): edge 7, toughness 4; S30V: edge 6, toughness 4; S90V: edge 9, toughness 3; ZDP-189: edge 9, toughness 21122334455667788991010Edge retention →Toughness →MagnaCutMagnaCutS45VNS45VNS35VNS35VNM390M39020CV20CVElmaxElmaxCTS-XHPCTS-XHPS30VS30VSG2 (R2)SG2 (R2)S90VS90VZDP-189ZDP-189

Comparisons with powder metallurgy stainless steels

Other steel types