S30V vs VG-10
S30V holds an edge longer; VG-10 is easier to sharpen. Choose S30V for edge retention, VG-10 for easy sharpening.
Who wins each property
Side by side
| S30V | VG-10 | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Powder metallurgy stainless steels | Stainless steels |
| Hardness | 58–61 HRC | 59–61 HRC |
| Edge retention | 6/10 | 5/10 |
| Toughness | 4/10 | 4/10 |
| Corrosion resistance | 7/10 | 7/10 |
| Ease of sharpening | 4/10 | 6/10 |
| Price tier | Mid-range | Mid-range |
| Maker | Crucible | Takefu Special Steel |
Composition
| Element | S30V | VG-10 |
|---|---|---|
| Carbon (C) | 1.45 | 1 |
| Chromium (Cr) | 14 | 15 |
| Vanadium (V) | 4 | 0.2 |
| Molybdenum (Mo) | 2 | 1 |
| Cobalt (Co) | — | 1.5 |
| Manganese (Mn) | 0.5 | 0.5 |
| Silicon (Si) | 0.5 | 0.6 |
| Phosphorus (P) | 0.03 | 0.03 |
| Sulfur (S) | 0.03 | 0.02 |
Property by property
Edge retention
S30V holds an edge longer: 6/10 against 5/10 for VG-10, a 1-point gap. Vanadium: 4% vs 0.2%; more vanadium carbide generally means more wear resistance.
Toughness
Both rate 4/10 for toughness.
Corrosion resistance
Both rate 7/10 for corrosion resistance. Chromium: 14% vs 15%, though what matters is the chromium left in solution, not the total.
Ease of sharpening
VG-10 is easier to sharpen: 6/10 against 4/10 for S30V, a 2-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 |
VG-10
| Knife | Brand | Blade | Weight | Lock | List price | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spyderco Delica 4 Lightweight | Spyderco | 2.9" | 2.4 oz | Back lock | $132 | Blade HQ |
| Spyderco Endura 4 Lightweight | Spyderco | 3.8" | 3.3 oz | Back lock | $143 | Blade HQ |
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FAQ
Which is better, S30V or VG-10?
S30V holds an edge longer; VG-10 is easier to sharpen. Choose S30V for edge retention, VG-10 for easy sharpening.
Which is harder, S30V or VG-10?
S30V is typically run at 58–61 HRC and VG-10 at 59–61 HRC.
Is S30V or VG-10 more rust resistant?
Neither: both rate 7/10. S30V is a powder metallurgy stainless steel; VG-10 is a conventional stainless steel.