M390 vs S35VN
M390 holds an edge longer and resists corrosion better; S35VN is tougher and is easier to sharpen. Choose M390 for edge retention, S35VN for easy sharpening.
Who wins each property
Side by side
| M390 | S35VN | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 5/10 |
| Corrosion resistance | 9/10 | 7/10 |
| Ease of sharpening | 3/10 | 5/10 |
| Price tier | Premium | Mid-range |
| Maker | voestalpine Bohler Edelstahl | Crucible |
Composition
| Element | M390 | S35VN |
|---|---|---|
| Carbon (C) | 1.9 | 1.4 |
| Chromium (Cr) | 20 | 14 |
| Vanadium (V) | 4 | 3 |
| Molybdenum (Mo) | 1 | 2 |
| Tungsten (W) | 0.6 | — |
| Niobium (Nb) | — | 0.5 |
| 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 S35VN, a 2-point gap. Vanadium: 4% vs 3%; more vanadium carbide generally means more wear resistance.
Toughness
S35VN is tougher: 5/10 against 4/10 for M390, a 1-point gap. 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 S35VN, a 2-point gap. Chromium: 20% vs 14%, though what matters is the chromium left in solution, not the total.
Ease of sharpening
S35VN is easier to sharpen: 5/10 against 3/10 for M390, a 2-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 |
S35VN
| Knife | Brand | Blade | Weight | Lock | List price | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zero Tolerance 0450CF | Zero Tolerance | 3.25" | 2.45 oz | Titanium frame lock | $295 | Blade HQ |
Shop M390 knives Shop S35VN knives
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FAQ
Which is better, M390 or S35VN?
M390 holds an edge longer and resists corrosion better; S35VN is tougher and is easier to sharpen. Choose M390 for edge retention, S35VN for easy sharpening.
Which is harder, M390 or S35VN?
M390 is typically run at 60–62 HRC and S35VN at 58–61 HRC.
Is M390 or S35VN more rust resistant?
M390 (9/10). Both are powder metallurgy stainless steels.