S30V vs S90V

S30V is tougher and is easier to sharpen; S90V holds an edge longer. Choose S30V for easy sharpening, S90V for edge retention.

S30V vs S90V ratingsS30V: Edge retention 6/10, Toughness 4/10, Corrosion resistance 7/10, Ease of sharpening 4/10; S90V: Edge retention 9/10, Toughness 3/10, Corrosion resistance 7/10, Ease of sharpening 2/10Edge retention6 / 9Toughness4 / 3Corrosion resistance7 / 7Ease ofsharpening4 / 2S30VS90V

Who wins each property

S30V vs S90V: rating differencesEdge retention: S30V 6, S90V 9; Toughness: S30V 4, S90V 3; Corrosion resistance: S30V 7, S90V 7; Ease of sharpening: S30V 4, S90V 2← S90V betterS30V better →Edge retention−3Toughness+1Corrosion resistancetieEase of sharpening+2

Side by side

S30VS90V
TypePowder metallurgy stainless steelsPowder metallurgy stainless steels
Hardness58–61 HRC59–62 HRC
Edge retention6/109/10
Toughness4/103/10
Corrosion resistance7/107/10
Ease of sharpening4/102/10
Price tierMid-rangePremium
MakerCrucibleCrucible
S30V vs S90V hardnessS30V: 58-61 HRC; S90V: 59-62 HRC55 soft60 mid65 very hard507058–6159–62

Composition

ElementS30VS90V
Carbon (C)1.452.3
Chromium (Cr)1414
Vanadium (V)49
Molybdenum (Mo)21
Manganese (Mn)0.50.5
Silicon (Si)0.50.5
Phosphorus (P)0.030.03
Sulfur (S)0.030.03
S30V vs S90V compositionS30V: C 1.45%, Cr 14.0%, V 4.0%, Mo 2.0%, Mn 0.5%, Si 0.5%, 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)1.452.3Chromium (Cr)1414Vanadium (V)49Molybdenum (Mo)21Manganese (Mn)0.50.5Silicon (Si)0.50.5Phosphorus (P)0.030.03Sulfur (S)0.030.03S30VS90V

Property by property

Edge retention

S90V holds an edge longer: 9/10 against 6/10 for S30V, a 3-point gap. Vanadium: 4% vs 9%; more vanadium carbide generally means more wear resistance.

Toughness

S30V is tougher: 4/10 against 3/10 for S90V, a 1-point gap. Typical hardness: 58–61 vs 59–62 HRC; harder blades trade toughness for edge holding.

Corrosion resistance

Both rate 7/10 for corrosion resistance.

Ease of sharpening

S30V is easier to sharpen: 4/10 against 2/10 for S90V, a 2-point gap.

Knives in each steel

S30V

KnifeBrandBladeWeightLockList priceBuy
Benchmade Bugout 535Benchmade3.24"1.85 ozAXIS lock$200Blade HQ
Benchmade 940 OsborneBenchmade3.4"2.9 ozAXIS lock$300Blade HQ
Benchmade Griptilian 551-S30VBenchmade3.45"3.88 ozAXIS lock$175Blade 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 S30V 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, S30V or S90V?

S30V is tougher and is easier to sharpen; S90V holds an edge longer. Choose S30V for easy sharpening, S90V for edge retention.

Which is harder, S30V or S90V?

S30V is typically run at 58–61 HRC and S90V at 59–62 HRC.

Is S30V or S90V more rust resistant?

Neither: both rate 7/10. Both are powder metallurgy stainless steels.

Related comparisons

Full steel pages: CPM S30V · CPM S90V