S30V vs S35VN
S35VN is tougher and is easier to sharpen, and the two tie on edge retention and corrosion resistance. The biggest gap is toughness (5/10 vs 4/10). The differences are small, so the knife itself matters more than the steel.
Who wins each property
Side by side
| S30V | S35VN | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Powder metallurgy stainless steels | Powder metallurgy stainless steels |
| Hardness | 58–61 HRC | 58–61 HRC |
| Edge retention | 6/10 | 6/10 |
| Toughness | 4/10 | 5/10 |
| Corrosion resistance | 7/10 | 7/10 |
| Ease of sharpening | 4/10 | 5/10 |
| Price tier | Mid-range | Mid-range |
| Maker | Crucible | Crucible |
Composition
| Element | S30V | S35VN |
|---|---|---|
| Carbon (C) | 1.45 | 1.4 |
| Chromium (Cr) | 14 | 14 |
| Vanadium (V) | 4 | 3 |
| Molybdenum (Mo) | 2 | 2 |
| Niobium (Nb) | — | 0.5 |
| Manganese (Mn) | 0.5 | 0.5 |
| Silicon (Si) | 0.5 | 0.5 |
| Phosphorus (P) | 0.03 | 0.03 |
| Sulfur (S) | 0.03 | 0.03 |
Property by property
Edge retention
Both rate 6/10 for edge retention. Vanadium: 4% vs 3%; more vanadium carbide generally means more wear resistance.
Toughness
S35VN is tougher: 5/10 against 4/10 for S30V, a 1-point gap.
Corrosion resistance
Both rate 7/10 for corrosion resistance.
Ease of sharpening
S35VN is easier to sharpen: 5/10 against 4/10 for S30V, a 1-point gap.
Knives in each steel
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 |
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 S30V knives Shop S35VN knives
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FAQ
Which is better, S30V or S35VN?
S35VN is tougher and is easier to sharpen, and the two tie on edge retention and corrosion resistance. The biggest gap is toughness (5/10 vs 4/10). The differences are small, so the knife itself matters more than the steel.
Which is harder, S30V or S35VN?
S30V is typically run at 58–61 HRC and S35VN at 58–61 HRC.
Is S30V or S35VN more rust resistant?
Neither: both rate 7/10. Both are powder metallurgy stainless steels.