Last updated on July 14th, 2023 at 02:54 pm
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At A Glance
S30V, developed by Crucible Industries, has good hardness, toughness, and corrosion resistance. M390, created by Bohler, has higher Carbon, Chromium, and Tungsten content, making it harder, more wear-resistant, and more corrosion-resistant. While S30V is tough and holds an edge well, M390 outperforms it in hardness, edge retention, and corrosion resistance. However, M390 is more brittle and can chip under heavy impact. Choosing between these two depends on knife usage, budget, and personal preferences.
Top Rated Knives
S30V Steel
M390 Steel
Blade steel determines the performance and durability of a knife. Two popular blade steels that are often compared are S30V and M390. In this article, we will compare these two types of steel in terms of their composition, hardness, toughness, corrosion resistance, edge retention, and ease of sharpening to determine which one is the better choice for knife blades.
The alchemical art of blade-making can often feel overwhelming, especially when there’s such a broad array of materials and techniques to choose from.
This article serves to provide a detailed comparison between two prevalent knife steel types: Crucible Industries’ S30V and Bohler’s M390.
We’ll take a closer look at their chemical makeup and compare them in terms of hardness, toughness, corrosion resistance, edge retention, and ease of sharpening to help you choose the best material for your knife.
Steel Background
Understanding the nature and creation of each steel type is essential before moving into the comparison.
S30V
S30V is a martensitic stainless steel that was designed for supreme performance in knife blades. It was co-developed by Crucible Industries and renowned knife maker Chris Reeve, making it one of the first steel types designed specifically for knives. The “S” in S30V stands for stainless, while the “30” refers to its composition of 0.3% vanadium, which enhances the strength and toughness of the steel.
➤ Read More: Read Our S30V Steel Review
M390
Bohler’s M390 is a powder metallurgy stainless steel. Its excellent corrosion resistance, exceptional wear resistance, and good machinability make it one of the most popular knife steels. The powder metallurgy process results in a clean, high-quality steel known for its superior performance.
Steel Composition
The comparison begins with the chemical composition of each steel.
S30V
- Carbon: 1.45%
- Chromium: 14%
- Vanadium: 4%
- Molybdenum: 2%
- Manganese: 0.5%
- Silicon: 0.5%
M390
- Carbon: 1.9%
- Chromium: 20%
- Vanadium: 4%
- Molybdenum: 1%
- Tungsten: 1%
- Manganese: 0.3%
- Silicon: 0.7%
From the above composition, we see that M390 has a higher Carbon, Chromium, and Tungsten content than S30V, contributing to its superior hardness, wear resistance, and corrosion resistance.
S30V vs M390 – Complete Comparison
Hardness
The hardness of a steel directly impacts its wear resistance and edge retention.
S30V has a Rockwell hardness (HRC) of 59-61, making it a hard steel that can hold an edge for a long time. It can withstand rigorous use without chipping or breaking.
M390, on the other hand, has an HRC of 60-62. This higher hardness enhances its wear resistance, allowing it to retain an edge even longer than S30V, but it is also more brittle and can chip if subjected to heavy impact.
Toughness
Toughness refers to the steel’s ability to resist chips and cracks under stress.
S30V is a tough steel that can endure high stress without chipping or cracking. It’s a suitable choice for knives expected to perform under challenging conditions.
M390, while highly hard and wear-resistant, is slightly less tough than S30V and more prone to chipping under heavy use. However, it still performs admirably in most knife applications.
Corrosion Resistance
Corrosion resistance determines how well the steel can resist rust and oxidation.
S30V, with its 14% Chromium content, provides good corrosion resistance, making it suitable for knives used in humid or corrosive environments.
M390, with an impressive 20% Chromium content, offers even superior corrosion resistance. This property makes it an excellent choice for knives that will be exposed to harsh environments or require low maintenance.
Ease of Sharpening
Ease of Sharpening signifies how easy the steel is to sharpen with normal methods. It usually correlates inversely with edge retention and hardness.
S30V, despite its hardness, is relatively straightforward to sharpen. It’s a good choice for general-purpose knives that require regular sharpening.
M390, due to its high hardness, can be challenging to sharpen but holds an edge longer, reducing the frequency of sharpening. With the right tools and patience, it can still be honed to a razor-sharp edge. It’s suitable for knives intended for heavy-duty or professional use.
Edge Retention
Edge retention is a measure of how long the steel retains its sharpness during use.
S30V provides excellent edge retention due to its high hardness and carbon content, making it suitable for knives used for regular cutting tasks.
M390, with its high carbon and vanadium content, delivers superior edge retention. It is a good choice for knives that will be used for intensive cutting or slicing tasks, where maintaining a sharp edge is crucial.
Price
S30V, while considered a premium knife steel, is generally more affordable than M390, making it an attractive choice for those looking for a balance between cost and performance.
M390, as a high-performance steel, commands a higher price. However, many knife enthusiasts and professionals consider the cost worthwhile due to its superior properties and performance.
Conclusion
Both S30V and M390 are exceptional blade steels with their unique strengths and drawbacks. S30V is a tough and resilient steel with good corrosion resistance, excellent edge retention, and relative ease of sharpening. It’s an excellent choice for knives meant for a wide variety of tasks.
M390, with its superior hardness, edge retention, and corrosion resistance, is a high-performance steel suited to professional or heavy-duty use, where maintaining a sharp edge over a long period is critical.
Choosing between S30V and M390 will largely depend on the intended use of the knife, budget, and personal preferences. Regardless of the choice, it’s important to purchase from a reputable brand to ensure the blade steel’s quality and proper heat treatment.
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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.”