Once you start getting serious about knives, you’re going to want to purchase your dedicated piece of steel that is your best quality knife steel.
So, before you head into the marketplace, or before buying a product, you have got a choice to make.
Should you buy s35vn vs m390?
What are the differences in features and sharpness?
Which is the best steel for your kitchen knives?
And which will provide better overall value?
Read on for the answers.
Best s35vn vs m390 knives Comparison:
1. Cold Steel AD-10 and AD-15 Tactical Folding Knife
- RELIABLE AND USER-FRIENDLY: The most comfortable, user friendly, sub 4-inch...
- HIGH PERFORMANCE BLADE: The saber ground spear point blade comes with a false...
- UNIQUE HYBRID HANDLE: The bottom portion of the handle has 3D-machined G-10...
- FAMOUS SCORPION LOCK: Designed by expert knife maker Andrew Demko, the Scorpion...
When looking for a comfortable knife that is a user-friendly, sub-4-inch tactical folder, you can purchase Cold Steel AD-10 and AD-15 Tactical Folding Knife. It provides ambidextrous operation and opens and closes with one hand; that is such a fantastic option.
Before buying a knife, you need to keep in mind that a good quality knife is the cornerstone of a great meal. So, when you ask the knife what makes a great knife, you’ll likely get at least many answers. The knife delivers the essence of Cold steel, refined.
As for the design, it is made out of CPM-S35vn steel that is produced by Crucible Industries, which is a renowned steel manufacturer. Most users purchase this one because it has the perfect balance between edge retention, hardness, and toughness, which is a tricky balance to achieve.
We would suggest you go through our list of top steels – What is the difference between s35vn vs d2 steel?.
2. Spyderco SpyOpera Folding Knife
- One of a Kind -The SpyOpera is a utilitarian folding knife designed by Italian...
- Superior Quality - The blade is housed in a handle made with skeletonized full...
- Iconic Design - The spines of the blade, lock bar, and backspacer are all...
- Durable - Its full-flat-ground blade is crafted from M390 particle metallurgy...
Do you know this is a beautiful and solid example of Italian quality knives? Yes. As a Spyderco collector, it is pretty standard to the traditional knives Spyderco produces. Most of the users like it.
When you have this one, you can quickly flick it open with a nice detent to prevent accidental opening. So it looks so beautiful and smooth with the right amount of texture. Don’t worry, when you have this one, you can’t go wrong with this one.
Pros:
- Design
- m390 steel
- Micarta
- Ball Bearing Pivot
Cons:
- a little bit pricey
Best Used for:
- Gentlemen Carry
What are s35vn vs m390 Steels?
[s35vn steel]: The s35vn is a high-end martensitic stainless steel made by Crucible in high carbon, chromium, vanadium designed to provide an outstanding balance between toughness, hardness, and corrosion resistance. The steel used in long-wearing specialty cutlery, wear components for foods, Extrusion feed screwes, and dies and chemical processing, and of course in the knife industry.
Since the steel is stainless, so it won’t rust very quickly, its vanadium helps to improve wear resistance and strength. On the other hand, its niobium also helps to improve the wear resistance and strength.
[M390 steel]: The m390 is the best steel that is used for making premium knives and blades. That is a martensitic chromium steel produced with powder metallurgy. It provides extremely high wear resistance and high corrosion resistance – the enough combination for the best application properties.
If you like, you can check out the full list of top steel’s here- 20cv vs s35vn steel: Which is better for knife?.
s35vn vs m390 properties
According to the chemical composition and the HRC of the steel, the s35v vs m390 Steel has the following features:
[s35vn]:
CPM s35vn Edge Retention: It will give you perfect edge retention, thanks to its hardness and the presence of Carbon and Vanadium.
CPM s35vn Corrosion Resistance: The steel comes with14% of Chromium, which provides excellent corrosion resistance.
CPM s35vn Wear Resistance: It has perfect Wear Resistance thanks to the high level of Vanadium.
CPM s35vn Sharpness: After researching the chemical chart, we found that the harder it is to sharpen it, our S35V is tough steel; pointing it won’t be easy.
CPM s35vn Toughness: Enough toughness well balanced compared to wear resistance, and corrosion resistance, making the steel the best steel that offers the three qualities every knife user searches for in steel.
[M390]:
High wear resistance
The m390 steel is very tough and robust with high EDGE retention. So the steel is qualified as a premium knife, thanks to its ability to hold sharpness for a long time.
High corrosion resistance
Are you looking for a camping knife? You know your knife will be humid in a way; having a high corrosion resistance is what you need to avoid ending up with a rusty knife.
However, the steel gives you quality, and again the steel makes an m390 knives premium and worth buying.
High toughness
The m390 steel will grant your knife resistance needed to go through your regular usage; most notably, while camping, a tough knife is always required.
Is s35vn and m390 steel good for knife?
[s35vn steel]: Yes, steel is undoubtedly suitable for knives. Because it is one of the best high-end steels, it offers edge retention, toughness, wears resistance, and corrosion resistance. So after researching, we found that it would be great for all types of knife usages (hunting knife, survival knife, fishing knife, diving knife, even kitchen knife); let me remind you. Though s35vn steel is not easy to sharpen, it will hold its edge for a long time once sharpened.
[M390 steel]:
The m390 steel is the most famous perfectly fit for knives, and it provides all the specs to enjoy a high-end knife.
s35vn and m390 composition
| Materials | S35vn | M390 | work |
| Carbon
|
1,4% | 0.9% | It will increase hardness Wear/corrosion resistance Unfortunately a high amount of it decreases strength. |
| Chromium | 14% | 20% | Perfect for tensile strength and Edge retention. On the other hand it enhances corrosion resistance and wear resistance |
| Molybdenum | 2% | 1% | It improves Machinability and strength |
| Nickel
|
0,1% to 0,4% | ||
| Manganese | 0,5% | 0.3% | It improves hardness and brittleness. |
| Silicon | 0,5% | 0.7% | Good for strength. |
| Phosphorus | 0,03% | Improves strength. | |
| Sulfur | 0,03% | Improves machinability. | |
| Vanadium | 3% | 4% | It improves wear resistance and hardenability. |
| Cobalt | 0 to 0,5% | It uses for boosts the individual effects of other components. | |
| Tungsten | 0,4% | 0.6% | Improves wear resistance and hardness. |
| Niobium | 0,5% | Increases hardness, wear resistance, and corrosion too. |
s35vn vs m390 – Final Verdict
There are a variety of pros and cons for s35vn vs m390 knife steel. Two of our writers have had their say; now we want to hear from you! Which should you buy: an s35vn or m390 knife steel? Cast your vote in the poll below.