S35VN vs S45VN
S45VN resists corrosion better, and the two tie on edge retention, toughness and ease of sharpening. S35VN is the cheaper steel (mid-range vs premium price tier).
Who wins each property
Side by side
| S35VN | S45VN | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Powder metallurgy stainless steels | Powder metallurgy stainless steels |
| Hardness | 58–61 HRC | 59–61 HRC |
| Edge retention | 6/10 | 6/10 |
| Toughness | 5/10 | 5/10 |
| Corrosion resistance | 7/10 | 8/10 |
| Ease of sharpening | 5/10 | 5/10 |
| Price tier | Mid-range | Premium |
| Maker | Crucible | Crucible |
Composition
| Element | S35VN | S45VN |
|---|---|---|
| Carbon (C) | 1.4 | 1.48 |
| Chromium (Cr) | 14 | 16 |
| Vanadium (V) | 3 | 3 |
| Molybdenum (Mo) | 2 | 2 |
| Niobium (Nb) | 0.5 | 0.5 |
| Nitrogen (N) | — | 0.15 |
| 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.
Toughness
Both rate 5/10 for toughness.
Corrosion resistance
S45VN resists corrosion better: 8/10 against 7/10 for S35VN, a 1-point gap. Chromium: 14% vs 16%, though what matters is the chromium left in solution, not the total.
Ease of sharpening
Both rate 5/10 for ease of sharpening.
Knives in each steel
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 |
S45VN
| Knife | Brand | Blade | Weight | Lock | List price | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spyderco Para 3 | Spyderco | 2.93" | 3.4 oz | Compression lock | $263 | Blade HQ |
| Spyderco Paramilitary 2 | Spyderco | 3.45" | 3.8 oz | Compression lock | $279 | Blade HQ |
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FAQ
Which is better, S35VN or S45VN?
S45VN resists corrosion better, and the two tie on edge retention, toughness and ease of sharpening. S35VN is the cheaper steel (mid-range vs premium price tier).
Which is harder, S35VN or S45VN?
S35VN is typically run at 58–61 HRC and S45VN at 59–61 HRC.
Is S35VN or S45VN more rust resistant?
S45VN (8/10). Both are powder metallurgy stainless steels.