MagnaCut vs S90V

MagnaCut is tougher, resists corrosion better and is easier to sharpen; S90V holds an edge longer. Choose MagnaCut for toughness, S90V for edge retention.

MagnaCut vs S90V ratingsMagnaCut: Edge retention 7/10, Toughness 8/10, Corrosion resistance 9/10, Ease of sharpening 5/10; S90V: Edge retention 9/10, Toughness 3/10, Corrosion resistance 7/10, Ease of sharpening 2/10Edge retention7 / 9Toughness8 / 3Corrosion resistance9 / 7Ease ofsharpening5 / 2MagnaCutS90V

Who wins each property

MagnaCut vs S90V: rating differencesEdge retention: MagnaCut 7, S90V 9; Toughness: MagnaCut 8, S90V 3; Corrosion resistance: MagnaCut 9, S90V 7; Ease of sharpening: MagnaCut 5, S90V 2← S90V betterMagnaCut better →Edge retention−2Toughness+5Corrosion resistance+2Ease of sharpening+3

Side by side

MagnaCutS90V
TypePowder metallurgy stainless steelsPowder metallurgy stainless steels
Hardness61–64 HRC59–62 HRC
Edge retention7/109/10
Toughness8/103/10
Corrosion resistance9/107/10
Ease of sharpening5/102/10
Price tierPremiumPremium
MakerCrucible (designed by Larrin Thomas)Crucible
MagnaCut vs S90V hardnessMagnaCut: 61-64 HRC; S90V: 59-62 HRC55 soft60 mid65 very hard507061–6459–62

Composition

ElementMagnaCutS90V
Carbon (C)1.152.3
Chromium (Cr)10.714
Vanadium (V)49
Molybdenum (Mo)21
Niobium (Nb)2—
Nitrogen (N)0.2—
Manganese (Mn)0.40.5
Silicon (Si)0.40.5
Phosphorus (P)0.030.03
Sulfur (S)0.030.03
MagnaCut vs S90V compositionMagnaCut: C 1.15%, Cr 10.7%, V 4.0%, Mo 2.0%, Nb 2.0%, N 0.2%, Mn 0.4%, Si 0.4%, P 0.03%, S 0.03%; S90V: C 2.3%, Cr 14.0%, V 9.0%, Mo 1.0%, Mn 0.5%, Si 0.5%, P 0.03%, S 0.03%0%5%10%15%Carbon (C)1.152.3Chromium (Cr)10.714Vanadium (V)49Molybdenum (Mo)21Niobium (Nb)2–Nitrogen (N)0.2–Manganese (Mn)0.40.5Silicon (Si)0.40.5Phosphorus (P)0.030.03Sulfur (S)0.030.03MagnaCutS90V

Property by property

Edge retention

S90V holds an edge longer: 9/10 against 7/10 for MagnaCut, a 2-point gap. Vanadium: 4% vs 9%; more vanadium carbide generally means more wear resistance.

Toughness

MagnaCut is tougher: 8/10 against 3/10 for S90V, a 5-point gap. Typical hardness: 61–64 vs 59–62 HRC; harder blades trade toughness for edge holding.

Corrosion resistance

MagnaCut resists corrosion better: 9/10 against 7/10 for S90V, a 2-point gap. Chromium: 10.7% vs 14%, though what matters is the chromium left in solution, not the total.

Ease of sharpening

MagnaCut is easier to sharpen: 5/10 against 2/10 for S90V, a 3-point gap.

Knives in each steel

MagnaCut

KnifeBrandBladeWeightLockList priceBuy
Zero Tolerance 0562CFZero Tolerance3.5"5.5 ozTitanium frame lock$375Blade HQ
Chris Reeve Knives Large Sebenza 31Chris Reeve Knives3.61"4.7 ozReeve Integral Lock$500Blade HQ
Hogue DekaHogue3.25"2.1 ozABLE Lock$184.95Blade HQ
Benchmade Adamas 275GY-03Benchmade3.82"6.54 ozAXIS lock$325Blade HQ
Kershaw Link 1776OLSWKershaw3.25"4.7 ozLiner lock$209.99Blade HQ

S90V

KnifeBrandBladeWeightLockList priceBuy
Benchmade 940-1 OsborneBenchmade3.4"2.9 ozAXIS lock$350Blade HQ
Benchmade LowdenBenchmade2.79"2.55 ozAXIS lock$300Blade HQ
Benchmade Bugout Taiga GreenBenchmade3.24"2.52 ozAXIS lock$400Blade HQ

Shop MagnaCut knives Shop S90V 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, MagnaCut or S90V?

MagnaCut is tougher, resists corrosion better and is easier to sharpen; S90V holds an edge longer. Choose MagnaCut for toughness, S90V for edge retention.

Which is harder, MagnaCut or S90V?

MagnaCut is typically run at 61–64 HRC and S90V at 59–62 HRC.

Is MagnaCut or S90V more rust resistant?

MagnaCut (9/10). Both are powder metallurgy stainless steels.

Related comparisons

Full steel pages: CPM MagnaCut · CPM S90V