Nitro-V vs S35VN
Nitro-V is tougher and is easier to sharpen; S35VN holds an edge longer. Choose Nitro-V for easy sharpening, S35VN for edge retention.
Who wins each property
Side by side
| Nitro-V | S35VN | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Stainless steels | Powder metallurgy stainless steels |
| Hardness | 59–62 HRC | 58–61 HRC |
| Edge retention | 3/10 | 6/10 |
| Toughness | 8/10 | 5/10 |
| Corrosion resistance | 7/10 | 7/10 |
| Ease of sharpening | 9/10 | 5/10 |
| Price tier | Mid-range | Mid-range |
| Maker | Buderus Edelstahl (for New Jersey Steel Baron) | Crucible |
Composition
| Element | Nitro-V | S35VN |
|---|---|---|
| Carbon (C) | 0.68 | 1.4 |
| Chromium (Cr) | 13 | 14 |
| Vanadium (V) | 0.08 | 3 |
| Molybdenum (Mo) | — | 2 |
| Niobium (Nb) | — | 0.5 |
| Nitrogen (N) | 0.11 | — |
| Manganese (Mn) | 0.65 | 0.5 |
| Silicon (Si) | 0.45 | 0.5 |
| Phosphorus (P) | 0.025 | 0.03 |
| Sulfur (S) | 0.015 | 0.03 |
Property by property
Edge retention
S35VN holds an edge longer: 6/10 against 3/10 for Nitro-V, a 3-point gap. Vanadium: 0.08% vs 3%; more vanadium carbide generally means more wear resistance.
Toughness
Nitro-V is tougher: 8/10 against 5/10 for S35VN, a 3-point gap. Typical hardness: 59–62 vs 58–61 HRC; harder blades trade toughness for edge holding.
Corrosion resistance
Both rate 7/10 for corrosion resistance. Chromium: 13% vs 14%, though what matters is the chromium left in solution, not the total.
Ease of sharpening
Nitro-V is easier to sharpen: 9/10 against 5/10 for S35VN, a 4-point gap.
Knives in each steel
Nitro-V
| Knife | Brand | Blade | Weight | Lock | List price | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Civivi Button Lock Elementum II | Civivi | 2.96" | 3.12 oz | Button lock | $76.50 | Blade HQ |
| Civivi Baby Banter Slip Joint | Civivi | 2.34" | 2.36 oz | Slip joint | $75 | Blade HQ |
| Civivi Zygon | Civivi | 3.24" | 3.37 oz | Crossbar lock | $79.70 | 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 Nitro-V knives Shop S35VN knives
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FAQ
Which is better, Nitro-V or S35VN?
Nitro-V is tougher and is easier to sharpen; S35VN holds an edge longer. Choose Nitro-V for easy sharpening, S35VN for edge retention.
Which is harder, Nitro-V or S35VN?
Nitro-V is typically run at 59–62 HRC and S35VN at 58–61 HRC.
Is Nitro-V or S35VN more rust resistant?
Neither: both rate 7/10. Nitro-V is a conventional stainless steel; S35VN is a powder metallurgy stainless steel.