Is CPM S35VN a Good Knife Steel? (Facts & Opinions…)

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At A Glance
CPM S35VN is considered an excellent steel for knives due to its high toughness, hardness, and corrosion resistance. CPM S35VN steel offers exceptional edge retention and ease of sharpening, making it more versatile and user-friendly compared to other steels like CPM S30V. Despite its premium-grade status and cost, its easier machinability results in more affordable knife production. Therefore, it’s a top-tier choice for a wide range of knife applications, known for its durability and long-lasting performance in diverse conditions.

CPM S35VN steel is a high-end martensitic stainless steel known for its impressive balance between toughness, hardness, and corrosion resistance. Developed by Crucible Industries, this steel has gained significant popularity among knife enthusiasts and professionals, particularly for those involved in outdoor activities, such as hunters or adventurers.

The chemical composition of CPM S35VN steel includes Carbon, Vanadium, and Chromium, giving it a fine structure and contributing to its strength and durability. Due to the presence of niobium carbides and the Crucible Particle Metallurgy (CPM) process, this steel manages to offer excellent toughness, despite having a high hardness level.

For those seeking a reliable and high-performing knife steel, CPM S35VN stands out as a top choice. Its unique combination of properties ensures that knives made with this material will not only offer a sharp cutting edge but also maintain that edge longer and resist corrosion, making them ideal for various uses and conditions.

CPM S35VN Overview

CPM S35VN is a high-end martensitic stainless steel made by Crucible Industries, renowned for their production of premium-grade knife steels. This particular steel is known for its impressive balance between toughness, hardness, and corrosion resistance, making it an excellent choice for quality knives.

The composition of CPM S35VN steel includes high levels of carbon, chromium, and vanadium, which contribute to its strength and durability. Additionally, the introduction of niobium carbides in its chemical makeup enhances its toughness, further setting it apart from other stainless steels. The use of the CPM (Crucible Particle Metallurgy) process ensures that the steel’s properties are consistently distributed, leading to a superior end product.

One of the main advantages of CPM S35VN steel is its improved toughness when compared to its predecessor, CPM S30V steel. This is particularly important for knife users, as toughness helps reduce the risk of chips, cracks, or other damage on the blade’s edge, ultimately prolonging its lifespan. Moreover, the excellent corrosion resistance ensures that the knife will maintain its edge and appearance even in harsh environments.

In summary, CPM S35VN steel is a top-tier choice for knife making due to its harmonious combination of toughness, hardness, and corrosion resistance. Produced by Crucible Industries, this steel benefits from the advanced CPM process and an optimized chemical composition, making it a popular choice for high-quality knives.

Composition and Properties

CPM S35VN steel is a high-end martensitic stainless steel, known for its optimal balance between toughness, hardness, and corrosion resistance. Its composition includes a blend of elements such as carbon, chromium, molybdenum, vanadium, and niobium, which contribute to its unique properties.

The steel’s chemical composition primarily consists of:

• Carbon (1.38%)
• Chromium (14%)
• Molybdenum (2%)
• Vanadium (3%)
• Niobium (0.5%)

The high levels of carbon and chromium in the composition increase the hardness and corrosion resistance of the steel. The presence of molybdenum enhances its toughness, while vanadium and niobium contribute to the formation of niobium carbides, which improve the steel’s wear resistance.

When it comes to properties, CPM S35VN stainless steel exhibits the following key characteristics:

• Excellent edge retention: The steel’s composition allows it to maintain a sharp edge for extended periods, reducing the need for frequent sharpening.
• Great corrosion resistance: Thanks to its high chromium content, S35VN steel exhibits an enhanced resistance to rust and corrosion, making it suitable for use in a variety of environments.
• Improved toughness: The Crucible Particle Metallurgy (CPM) process used in the production of this steel ensures that it is significantly tougher than other steel grades. This means S35VN steel is better equipped to resist chips, cracks, and other damage upon impact.

In summary, CPM S35VN steel’s unique blend of elements, combined with its martensitic stainless steel structure, provides a reliable and versatile option for knife enthusiasts looking for a high-performing blade material.

Performance Characteristics

In this section, we will discuss the performance characteristics of CPM S35VN steel, focusing on its hardness, toughness, wear resistance, corrosion resistance, and ease of sharpening.

Hardness

CPM S35VN is a martensitic stainless steel with a Rockwell hardness rating ranging from 57 to 64 HRC, according to the Rockwell C scale. This hardness is achieved through a specific heat treatment process carried out by the manufacturer. Higher hardness generally translates to better edge retention and wear resistance, but it may also make the steel more prone to chipping or breaking.

Toughness

One of the standout features of CPM S35VN steel is its toughness. Compared to its predecessor, CPM S30V, the addition of niobium carbides in CPM S35VN makes it approximately 15-20% tougher, resulting in increased resistance to chips and cracks. This enhanced toughness allows for a good balance between strength and flexibility, making it suitable for various knife applications.

Wear Resistance

The high levels of carbon, vanadium, and chromium present in CPM S35VN steel contribute to its excellent wear resistance. Carbon provides hardness, while vanadium and chromium improve wear resistance and corrosion resistance, respectively. This combination of elements ensures that knives made from CPM S35VN steel exhibit good resistance to abrasive wear, making them more durable in demanding conditions.

Corrosion Resistance

Martensitic stainless steels like CPM S35VN are known for their good corrosion resistance. The high chromium content in CPM S35VN steel is primarily responsible for its resistance to corrosion. A higher chromium content creates a protective layer of chromium oxide on the steel’s surface, which helps prevent oxidation and rust formation. This characteristic makes CPM S35VN steel a suitable choice for knives that may be exposed to corrosive environments or materials.

Ease of Sharpening

CPM S35VN steel is known for its relatively easy sharpening ability. This is because it is more machinable compared to other stainless steels. The ease of sharpening helps users maintain their knives’ sharpness without requiring specialized equipment or advanced sharpening skills. While CPM S35VN steel provides good edge retention, it is still essential to occasionally sharpen the knife to ensure optimal performance.

Heat Treatment Process

CPM S35VN is a high-end martensitic stainless steel made by Crucible Industries, known for its balance between toughness, corrosion resistance, and hardness. The heat treatment process plays a crucial role in enhancing these properties, ultimately determining the steel’s overall performance in a knife.

To begin the heat treatment process, the steel needs to be heated to a specific temperature, known as the austenitizing temperature. For CPM S35VN, this temperature typically ranges between 1950°F and 2000°F. This allows the steel to transform into its desired microstructure, called the austenite phase. Once this phase is achieved, it is essential to cool the steel rapidly to lock in the desired properties.

Air quenching is a widely accepted method for cooling CPM S35VN steel. This technique involves cooling the steel in still or rapidly moving air, ensuring an optimal martensitic microstructure is achieved. Some knifemakers also utilize aluminum plates to aid in the cooling process, providing uniform and rapid cooling.

After the steel has been cooled, it undergoes a tempering process. Tempering involves heating the steel to a lower temperature, typically between 340°F and 1000°F, and holding it for a specific duration. This process helps to relieve internal stresses in the steel and further refine the microstructure, ultimately resulting in improved toughness and overall performance of the knife steel.

In summary, the heat treatment process for CPM S35VN steel is crucial in maximizing its potential as a high-performance knife steel. Careful attention to the austenitizing temperature, cooling technique, and tempering conditions can significantly enhance the desired properties, including hardness, toughness, and corrosion resistance.

Comparison with Other Steels

Nitro-V

CPM S35VN is renowned for its remarkable edge retention, toughness, and corrosion resistance, rendering it suitable for high-end, heavy-duty knives. On the other hand, Nitro-V, while still providing good edge retention and toughness, distinguishes itself with its enhanced nitrogen formulation, which greatly improves corrosion resistance, especially in marine environments. Consequently, it’s often favored for outdoor and kitchen knives that are exposed to wet conditions.

➤ Read More: CPM S35VN vs Nitro-V

CPM S30V

CPM S30V is a high-quality stainless steel known for its excellent corrosion resistance and edge retention. Although CPM S35VN offers some improvements in toughness and sharpenability, both steels are widely regarded as premium steels for tactical knives and everyday carry.

➤ Read More: CPM S35VN vs CPM S30V

S45VN

S45VN, which is an improvement over S35VN, features slight alterations in its chemistry to further enhance edge retention and corrosion resistance while also improving machinability and polishability. Thus, S45VN is often found in high-end knives where slightly improved performance can be noticeable and appreciated.

➤ Read More: CPM S35VN vs S45VN

S90V

S90V is another stainless steel known for its superior edge retention and wear resistance. However, it can be more challenging to sharpen than CPM S35VN. While both are considered premium steels, the choice depends on the user’s priorities for edge retention and sharpening ease.

➤ Read More: CPM S35VN vs S90V

M390

M390 is a high-performance stainless steel that combines excellent corrosion resistance with impressive edge retention. While CPM S35VN is no slouch, M390 is seen as a more advanced steel, providing an even better performance in terms of edge retention and corrosion resistance.

➤ Read More: CPM S35VN vs M390

D2

D2 is a popular tool steel known for its high wear resistance and toughness. However, it is not as corrosion-resistant as CPM S35VN, making it a less desirable choice for environments with high humidity or corrosive elements.

➤ Read More: CPM S35VN vs D2

20CV

20CV is another high-performance stainless steel that shares many similarities with CPM S35VN in terms of corrosion resistance and edge retention. They can be considered close competitors, with some praising 20CV for its slight edge in edge retention and overall performance.

➤ Read More: CPM S35VN vs CPM 20CV

440C

440C is a lower-grade stainless steel that, while offering decent corrosion resistance and hardness, does not compete with the edge retention and toughness of CPM S35VN. As such, 440C is typically found in budget-conscious knives.

VG-10

VG-10 is a Japanese stainless steel known for its good edge retention and ease of sharpening. While it trails behind CPM S35VN in terms of overall performance, it remains a popular choice for kitchen knives and affordable folding knives.

5Cr15MoV

5Cr15MoV is a Chinese stainless steel that has lower carbon content compared to CPM S35VN. It is primarily used in budget and entry-level knives due to its affordability and ease of manufacturing. However, its edge retention, corrosion resistance, and toughness are not as impressive as those offered by CPM S35VN.

CPM154

CPM154 offers an excellent balance of good edge retention, toughness, and high corrosion resistance but might not hold its edge quite as long as S35VN. Therefore, it is often preferred for everyday carry knives where ease of sharpening is a significant factor.

➤ Read More: CPM S35VN vs CPM154

154CM

154CM, a modified version of 440C, offers good edge retention, hardness, and corrosion resistance, but it’s not as durable or as corrosion-resistant as S35VN. It’s commonly found in mid-tier knives where it offers a good balance between performance and affordability.

➤ Read More: CPM S35VN vs 154CM

Applications and Uses

CPM S35VN is a high-end martensitic stainless steel, known for its balance between toughness, hardness, and corrosion resistance. This makes it an excellent choice for a variety of applications, especially in knife-making.

One popular use of CPM S35VN steel is in the manufacturing of pocket knives. The improved toughness of this steel means that it can resist chips, cracks, and other damages upon impact, making it ideal for everyday carry (EDC) knives that see a lot of use. The high carbon, vanadium, and chromium composition also contributes to the excellent performance of these knives in terms of edge retention and wear resistance.

EDC knives made from CPM S35VN steel are not only durable, but they’re also easy to maintain due to the steel’s corrosion resistance properties. This is important for users who need a reliable knife for various tasks, both indoors and outdoors.

In addition to pocket knives, CPM S35VN is also a popular choice for tactical knives and specialty cutlery, such as those used in hunting, fishing, or camping. The strength of this steel allows it to withstand harsh conditions and perform well under pressure.

Beyond the knife industry, the unique properties of CPM S35VN steel have found applications in other industries as well, such as extrusion feed screws, which are crucial components in the plastic manufacturing process. This steel is used because of its ability to maintain its shape and strength under the high pressures and temperatures required for extruding plastic materials.

CPM S35VN steel is also used in food and chemical processing, as it is highly resistant to corrosion and able to maintain its strength even when exposed to corrosive substances. This makes it ideal for use in wear components and other machinery parts that come into contact with food or chemicals.

In summary, CPM S35VN steel is highly versatile due to its balance of toughness, hardness, and corrosion resistance properties, making it an ideal choice for a wide range of applications, from knives and blades to industrial machinery components.

Price and Availability

CPM S35VN steel is considered a high-quality material for knives due to its excellent balance of toughness, hardness, and corrosion resistance. As a premium-grade steel, it is priced higher than some other steels, but it offers excellent durability and performance in return.

One factor making CPM S35VN steel more accessible is its easier machinability compared to other steels like CPM S30V. The inclusion of niobium carbides in the steel allows for a 15-20% increase in toughness, which makes the steel resistant to common wear and tear. Easier machinability results in manufacturers being able to produce knives at a more affordable cost, making this steel somewhat more budget-friendly.

However, if the price is a primary concern, there are lower-cost alternatives available, such as mid-tier steels that may not provide the same level of performance as CPM S35VN, but are still suitable for everyday use. You may compare S35VN with newer steel options like S45VN, which may offer slightly higher edge retention and similar corrosion resistance, but might also come at a higher price.

In terms of availability, CPM S35VN steel is popular among several well-known knife-making companies, such as Bark River, Benchmade, Spyderco, and Chris Reeve. You can find knives made from this steel in various styles, including folding knives and fixed blades, catering to a wide range of preferences and needs.

Conclusion

CPM S35VN steel, developed by Crucible Particle Metallurgy, has become a popular choice in the knife-making industry due to its well-rounded characteristics. With its balanced composition, it offers great edge retention, corrosion resistance, and toughness.

The addition of nitrogen and vanadium content enhances the steel’s wear-resistance and toughness, while chromium content contributes to its corrosion resistance. These elements, combined with Crucible’s innovative particle metallurgy process, results in a refined microstructure that delivers consistent performance in knife applications.

In comparison to other steels, such as CPM S30V, CPM S35VN presents improved toughness making it more resistant to wear and tear. Additionally, its fine grain structure provides better chip resistance, making it suitable for heavy-duty knives.

Regarding machinability, craftsmen generally prefer CPM S35VN as it is easier to grind, machine, and polish. Although both CPM S35VN and S30V are hard and offer excellent corrosion resistance, S35VN is considered easier to sharpen and maintain.

In summary, CPM S35VN steel is a reliable and versatile material for knife-making. Its balanced properties make it an excellent choice for various applications, ensuring durability and long-lasting performance in a range of environments.