N690 vs 154CM – Which Makes Better Knives?

Sharing is caring!

At A Glance
N690, produced by Bohler, stands out for its superior corrosion resistance, toughness, and good edge retention, making it ideal for general-purpose knives and usage in challenging conditions. In contrast, 154CM, developed by Crucible Industries, features high hardness and excellent edge retention but is slightly more susceptible to chipping and corrosion, hence suited for heavy cutting tasks. The final decision between N690 and 154CM hinges on the intended use of the knife and personal preferences.

Top Rated Knives

If you’ve spent more than five minutes looking into knife steels, there’s a good chance you’ve come across N690 and 154CM. They’re both popular mid- to high-end options, often mentioned in the same breath, and often compared by people trying to figure out which one to bet on for their next blade.

N690, made by Bohler, has a bit of a European flavor (literally—it shows up in a lot of kitchen knives), while 154CM is more of a U.S. classic, originally developed for jet engine parts and later adopted by the knife world for its solid all-around performance.

On paper, these two steels look pretty similar. But when it comes to real-world use—how they sharpen, how long they stay sharp, how they handle rust, and how they hold up over time—there are definitely some differences worth knowing about.

In this article, we’ll break things down without getting too lost in the weeds. If you’re stuck choosing between N690 and 154CM, you’ll leave here with a clear sense of what each one brings to the table—and which might be the better fit for how you actually use your knives.

➤ Read More: 154CM Knife Steel Review

Steel Composition

Let’s take a look under the hood. While N690 and 154CM are often compared for their performance, their chemical makeup isn’t exactly identical, and those small differences do matter.

Here’s how the two steels stack up:

Element	N690	154CM
Carbon (C)	~1.07%	~1.05%
Chromium (Cr)	~17.3%	~14.0%
Molybdenum (Mo)	~1.1%	~4.0%
Vanadium (V)	~0.1%	~0.4%
Cobalt (Co)	~1.5%	—
Manganese (Mn)	~0.4%	~0.5%
Silicon (Si)	~0.4%	~0.3%
Iron (Fe)	Balance	Balance

So What Does That Actually Mean?

N690 has more chromium (good for corrosion resistance), and a bit of cobalt, which can enhance edge stability and help the steel respond better to heat treatment. On the other hand, 154CM packs in a lot more molybdenum, which contributes to wear resistance and strength, and a bit more vanadium, which helps with edge retention through fine carbide formation.

Both are technically “stainless,” both have solid reputations, and neither is wildly exotic. But these subtle differences in composition lay the foundation for the more noticeable performance traits we’ll cover next.ison.

N690 vs 154CM – Complete Comparison

Hardness

Hardness plays a big role in how long your knife holds an edge and how well it resists wear over time. Both of these steels fall into that sweet spot—hard enough to stay sharp through tough jobs, but not so hard that they become overly brittle.

N690 typically lands around 58 to 60 HRC, which gives it a solid balance of edge retention and toughness. It’s hard enough to hold up during regular use without needing constant touch-ups, but not so hard that it becomes a chipping risk with a bit of lateral stress.

154CM sits in a similar range, usually between 58 and 61 HRC. On paper, that extra notch on the high end might look better, but in practice, it can also mean the steel is a little more prone to microchipping if pushed too hard, especially if the heat treat isn’t dialed in.

They’re close, but N690 gets a slight edge here for being just a bit more forgiving while still holding up under regular use.

Winner: N690 (by a hair)

Toughness

Toughness is what keeps a blade from chipping, cracking, or snapping when it hits something it wasn’t supposed to—like a bone, a staple, or the side of a toolbox. It’s especially important if you’re planning to use your knife hard, or in unpredictable environments.

N690 tends to hold up well in this category. Its balanced composition—especially the addition of cobalt—helps it absorb shock a bit better than you’d expect from a stainless steel. It’s not unbreakable, but it handles hard use better than most steels in its class and is less likely to chip out under pressure.

154CM isn’t exactly fragile, but it can be a little more prone to chipping, especially if it’s been heat-treated toward the higher end of its hardness range. For general use, it holds up fine, but in rougher conditions, it’s just a bit less forgiving.

If you’re looking for a knife that can take a beating without flinching, N690 is the tougher of the two.

Winner: N690

Corrosion Resistance

Corrosion resistance is all about how well a steel can stand up to moisture, humidity, sweat, or anything else that might try to turn your knife into a rust bucket.

N690 pulls ahead here, thanks to its higher chromium content—around 17%—which gives it excellent protection against rust. It was designed with this kind of durability in mind, and it really shines in environments where moisture is a constant factor. Whether you’re prepping food, working outdoors, or just living somewhere humid, N690 is a steel you don’t have to baby.

154CM, while definitely a stainless steel, sits a little lower on the corrosion-resistance scale. With around 14% chromium, it’s still fine for everyday carry or general use, but it may need a bit more maintenance if you’re around water a lot. Wipe it down, oil it occasionally, and it’ll be fine—but it’s not quite as worry-free as N690.

Winner: N690

Ease of Sharpening & Edge Retention

Edge retention and ease of sharpening usually live in a bit of a tug-of-war. The harder and more wear-resistant a steel is, the longer it holds an edge, but the tougher it can be to bring back once it finally dulls.

154CM leans into the edge retention side of that equation. It holds a working edge for a long time, especially if it’s heat-treated well, which makes it a great choice for repetitive cutting tasks or folks who don’t want to sharpen all the time. The trade-off? When it does need a touch-up, it can be a little stubborn, especially if you’re working with basic stones or gear.

N690, on the other hand, is a bit more cooperative. It still holds an edge respectably well—plenty good for everyday use—but it sharpens noticeably easier. You won’t need diamond plates or a belt grinder to get it back in shape, which is a nice perk if you’re not into fighting with your steel every time it needs maintenance.

If you want a knife that stays sharp longer between sessions, 154CM is the better fit. But if you’re the kind of person who actually sharpens your knives once in a while and doesn’t want it to feel like a chore, N690 makes life easier.

Winner: Tie — it really depends on whether you prioritize low-maintenance edge holding or easy sharpening.

Price

Price-wise, these two steels aren’t worlds apart, but there is usually a slight gap. N690 tends to cost a bit more, especially in production knives from European makers. You’re paying for that extra corrosion resistance and the more refined overall performance, and in many cases, it’s worth it, especially if you’re using the knife in wet or humid environments.

154CM, meanwhile, often shows up in knives that are a little more budget-friendly. It delivers excellent performance for the price—great edge retention, solid hardness, and decent corrosion resistance, just without the same level of polish (literally and figuratively) that you might get from N690 builds.

So if you’re trying to squeeze the most value out of your budget, 154CM gives you a lot of steel for the money. But if you don’t mind spending a little more for a more stainless, user-friendly option, N690 earns its keep.

Winner: 154CM, for performance-per-dollar.

Conclusion

At the end of the day, both N690 and 154CM are solid choices—like, you’re not going to end up with a bad knife either way. They each bring something a little different to the table, and which one makes more sense really depends on how (and where) you plan to use your blade.

N690 is tough, super rust-resistant, and just a bit easier to keep sharp. It’s a great option if your knife is going to see wet conditions, everyday carry, or just a lot of general use where you want something low-maintenance but reliable.

154CM, on the flip side, is all about edge retention and performance under pressure. It’s harder, holds a great edge, and works well for tougher, more demanding cutting tasks, as long as you’re okay with putting in a little extra effort when it comes time to sharpen.

Bottom line? Think about how you’ll actually use the knife, and pick the steel that makes your life easier, not harder. And whatever you do, go with a knife from a good maker. Steel only gets you so far—heat treat and build quality matter just as much.