M390 vs N690
M390 holds an edge longer and resists corrosion better; N690 is easier to sharpen. Choose M390 for edge retention, N690 for easy sharpening.
Who wins each property
Side by side
| M390 | N690 | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Powder metallurgy stainless steels | Stainless steels |
| Hardness | 60–62 HRC | 58–60 HRC |
| Edge retention | 8/10 | 5/10 |
| Toughness | 4/10 | 4/10 |
| Corrosion resistance | 9/10 | 8/10 |
| Ease of sharpening | 3/10 | 6/10 |
| Price tier | Premium | Mid-range |
| Maker | voestalpine Bohler Edelstahl | voestalpine Bohler Edelstahl |
Composition
| Element | M390 | N690 |
|---|---|---|
| Carbon (C) | 1.9 | 1.07 |
| Chromium (Cr) | 20 | 17 |
| Vanadium (V) | 4 | 0.1 |
| Molybdenum (Mo) | 1 | 1.1 |
| Tungsten (W) | 0.6 | — |
| Cobalt (Co) | — | 1.5 |
| Manganese (Mn) | 0.3 | 0.4 |
| Silicon (Si) | 0.7 | 0.4 |
Property by property
Edge retention
M390 holds an edge longer: 8/10 against 5/10 for N690, a 3-point gap. Vanadium: 4% vs 0.1%; more vanadium carbide generally means more wear resistance.
Toughness
Both rate 4/10 for toughness. Typical hardness: 60–62 vs 58–60 HRC; harder blades trade toughness for edge holding.
Corrosion resistance
M390 resists corrosion better: 9/10 against 8/10 for N690, a 1-point gap. Chromium: 20% vs 17%, though what matters is the chromium left in solution, not the total.
Ease of sharpening
N690 is easier to sharpen: 6/10 against 3/10 for M390, a 3-point gap.
Knives in each steel
M390
| Knife | Brand | Blade | Weight | Lock | List price | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Benchmade Narrows | Benchmade | 3.43" | 2.41 oz | AXIS lock | $525 | Blade HQ |
| Microtech Ultratech Gen IV S/E | Microtech | 3.55" | — | OTF automatic | $367 | Blade HQ |
| WE Knife Suisei | WE Knife | 3.28" | 3.55 oz | Liner lock | $350 | Blade HQ |
N690
| Knife | Brand | Blade | Weight | Lock | List price | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fox Knives FX-604 Core OD | Fox Knives | 3.15" | 4.8 oz | Liner lock | — | Blade HQ |
| Fox Knives FX-599 XT Karambit | Fox Knives | 2.56" | 3.5 oz | Back lock | — | Blade HQ |
| Fox Knives FX-534 CF Pelican | Fox Knives | 3.54" | 5.4 oz | Liner lock | — | Blade HQ |
Shop M390 knives Shop N690 knives
Buy links go to retailers; some are affiliate links, and we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Disclosure.
FAQ
Which is better, M390 or N690?
M390 holds an edge longer and resists corrosion better; N690 is easier to sharpen. Choose M390 for edge retention, N690 for easy sharpening.
Which is harder, M390 or N690?
M390 is typically run at 60–62 HRC and N690 at 58–60 HRC.
Is M390 or N690 more rust resistant?
M390 (9/10). M390 is a powder metallurgy stainless steel; N690 is a conventional stainless steel.