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At A Glance
M390, produced by Böhler, is renowned for its impressive edge retention and excellent corrosion resistance, making it suitable for durable knives. However, it can be challenging to sharpen due to its hardness. MAGNACUT, developed by Crucible Industries, offers a balanced composition resulting in excellent toughness, good corrosion resistance, impressive edge retention, and easier sharpening. While M390 tends to be more expensive, MAGNACUT offers comparable performance at a more affordable price. The choice between M390 and MAGNACUT depends on personal preference and the specific requirements of knife use.
Top Rated Knives
M390
Blade steel selection significantly influences the performance and durability of a knife. Today, we’ll be focusing on M390 and MAGNACUT, two exceptional blade steels that have stirred a lot of discussion in the knife community. This article offers a comprehensive comparison of M390 and MAGNACUT in terms of their composition, hardness, toughness, corrosion resistance, edge retention, and ease of sharpening to identify which one is more suitable for knife construction.
Knife blades exist in a broad spectrum of materials, making it quite a task to find the most suitable for your specific requirements.
To help ease this process, this article provides a detailed comparison between two high-performance knife steel types: Böhler’s M390 and Crucible Industries’ MAGNACUT.
We’ll investigate their composition, hardness, toughness, corrosion resistance, edge retention, and ease of sharpening to help you determine which is more appropriate for your knife needs.
Steel Background
A little background information about each steel type is crucial before we delve into the comparison.
M390
M390 is a martensitic stainless steel produced by Böhler, a renowned Austrian steel manufacturer. Known for its impressive edge retention and corrosion resistance, M390 is often considered premium knife steel. This third-generation particle metallurgy steel is high in carbon and chromium, offering a blend of excellent wear resistance and good corrosion resistance.
MAGNACUT
MAGNACUT is a stainless steel developed by Crucible Industries in collaboration with knife steel enthusiast Larrin Thomas. Launched as an “all-rounder,” MAGNACUT strikes an ideal balance between toughness, edge retention, corrosion resistance, and sharpenability. Its well-rounded performance has quickly made it popular in the knife industry.
Steel Composition
We’ll first compare the chemical compositions of each steel.
M390
- Carbon: 1.9%
- Chromium: 20%
- Molybdenum: 1%
- Vanadium: 4%
- Tungsten: 0.6%
- Manganese: 0.3%
- Silicon: 0.7%
MAGNACUT
- Carbon: 1.15%
- Chromium: 14%
- Molybdenum: 2.25%
- Vanadium: 3.5%
- Niobium: 2%
- Nitrogen: 0.1%
- Manganese: 0.45%
- Silicon: 0.55%
From the above composition, it’s evident that M390 has more carbon and chromium, contributing to its superior hardness and corrosion resistance. On the other hand, MAGNACUT offers a balanced chemical composition, including nitrogen and niobium, to enhance its overall performance.
M390 vs. MAGNACUT – Complete Comparison
Hardness
The hardness of knife steel significantly influences its edge retention and wear resistance.
M390 has a Rockwell hardness (HRC) of 60-62, renowned for its high wear resistance. Its high hardness level means the blade can maintain a sharp edge for an extended period.
In contrast, MAGNACUT, with a Rockwell hardness (HRC) of 60-62, offers comparable hardness to M390. It provides an excellent balance of edge retention and toughness.
Toughness
The toughness of steel refers to its resistance to chips and cracks during usage.
M390, although hard, has a degree of toughness sufficient for most general-purpose knife applications. However, its toughness may fall short compared to more balanced steels, like MAGNACUT.
MAGNACUT shines in terms of toughness. Its balanced composition, including niobium and nitrogen, enhances its ability to resist damage during heavy use, making it an excellent choice for a variety of knives.
Corrosion Resistance
Corrosion resistance indicates a steel’s ability to withstand rust and oxidation.
M390, with a high chromium content, offers superior corrosion resistance. It’s a suitable choice for knives frequently exposed to corrosive elements.
Meanwhile, MAGNACUT provides excellent corrosion resistance due to its well-rounded chemical composition. Although it has a lower chromium content than M390, it still performs well in corrosion-prone environments.
Ease of Sharpening
Sharpenability often inversely correlates with edge retention and hardness.
M390, due to its high hardness, is more challenging to sharpen than softer steels. However, with appropriate tools and patience, it can achieve a very sharp edge.
MAGNACUT, designed with a balanced steel matrix, offers a blend of edge retention and ease of sharpening. While it retains an edge well, it can also be resharpened without too much difficulty.
Edge Retention
Edge retention refers to a blade’s ability to maintain its sharpness during use.
M390 is renowned for its superior edge retention. Its high carbon and chromium content, combined with the presence of vanadium and molybdenum, contribute to this attribute.
MAGNACUT also exhibits excellent edge retention due to its balanced chemical composition. It’s designed to retain an edge exceptionally well, even under heavy use.
Price
M390 is generally considered a premium steel and comes with a correspondingly higher price tag. Its exceptional edge retention and corrosion resistance often justify this cost.
MAGNACUT, despite its well-rounded performance, tends to be more affordable than M390. However, its recent popularity and demand can influence its market price.
Conclusion
Both M390 and MAGNACUT are high-performance blade steels with their unique strengths. M390 stands out for its superior edge retention and excellent corrosion resistance, suitable for knives that demand high durability. Conversely, MAGNACUT, with its balanced composition, offers excellent toughness, good corrosion resistance, and impressive edge retention. It’s an all-rounder steel suitable for a wide variety of knives.
Choosing between M390 and MAGNACUT ultimately comes down to personal preference and specific knife usage requirements. Both steel types are extensively utilized in the knife industry and are highly recommended, given their performance characteristics. As always, it’s crucial to consider the knife’s manufacturer and brand when making a purchase to ensure you’re getting a well-crafted product that maximizes the potential of the chosen steel.
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When you visit a merchant by clicking a link on this site we may make a commission on anything you buy (at no additional cost to you). Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to Amazon Associates and the eBay Partner Network.”