M390 vs S30V
M390 holds an edge longer and resists corrosion better; S30V is easier to sharpen. Choose M390 for edge retention, S30V for easy sharpening.
Who wins each property
Side by side
| M390 | S30V | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Powder metallurgy stainless steels | Powder metallurgy stainless steels |
| Hardness | 60–62 HRC | 58–61 HRC |
| Edge retention | 8/10 | 6/10 |
| Toughness | 4/10 | 4/10 |
| Corrosion resistance | 9/10 | 7/10 |
| Ease of sharpening | 3/10 | 4/10 |
| Price tier | Premium | Mid-range |
| Maker | voestalpine Bohler Edelstahl | Crucible |
Composition
| Element | M390 | S30V |
|---|---|---|
| Carbon (C) | 1.9 | 1.45 |
| Chromium (Cr) | 20 | 14 |
| Vanadium (V) | 4 | 4 |
| Molybdenum (Mo) | 1 | 2 |
| Tungsten (W) | 0.6 | — |
| Manganese (Mn) | 0.3 | 0.5 |
| Silicon (Si) | 0.7 | 0.5 |
| Phosphorus (P) | — | 0.03 |
| Sulfur (S) | — | 0.03 |
Property by property
Edge retention
M390 holds an edge longer: 8/10 against 6/10 for S30V, a 2-point gap.
Toughness
Both rate 4/10 for toughness. Typical hardness: 60–62 vs 58–61 HRC; harder blades trade toughness for edge holding.
Corrosion resistance
M390 resists corrosion better: 9/10 against 7/10 for S30V, a 2-point gap. Chromium: 20% vs 14%, though what matters is the chromium left in solution, not the total.
Ease of sharpening
S30V is easier to sharpen: 4/10 against 3/10 for M390, a 1-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 |
S30V
| Knife | Brand | Blade | Weight | Lock | List price | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Benchmade Bugout 535 | Benchmade | 3.24" | 1.85 oz | AXIS lock | $200 | Blade HQ |
| Benchmade 940 Osborne | Benchmade | 3.4" | 2.9 oz | AXIS lock | $300 | Blade HQ |
| Benchmade Griptilian 551-S30V | Benchmade | 3.45" | 3.88 oz | AXIS lock | $175 | Blade HQ |
Shop M390 knives Shop S30V knives
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FAQ
Which is better, M390 or S30V?
M390 holds an edge longer and resists corrosion better; S30V is easier to sharpen. Choose M390 for edge retention, S30V for easy sharpening.
Which is harder, M390 or S30V?
M390 is typically run at 60–62 HRC and S30V at 58–61 HRC.
Is M390 or S30V more rust resistant?
M390 (9/10). Both are powder metallurgy stainless steels.