CPM-3V vs CPM CruWear
A side-by-side of two tool & high-speed knife steels on the specs that decide a purchase. CPM-3V is a powder-metallurgy tool & high-speed steel; CPM CruWear is a powder-metallurgy tool & high-speed steel.
| Property | CPM-3V | CPM CruWear | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hardness (HRC) | 58-62 | 60-64 | — |
| Edge retention | high | high | about the same |
| Corrosion resistance | medium | medium | about the same |
| Toughness | very high | very high | about the same |
| Ease of sharpening | hard | hard | — |
| Price tier | Premium | Premium | — |
CPM-3V suits hard-use / survival, outdoor / bushcraft; CPM CruWear suits hard-use / survival, edc / folders, outdoor / bushcraft. Neither is universally "better" — match the steel to the job, and remember heat treat matters as much as the alloy.
Chemical composition, side by side
| Element (%) | CPM-3V | CPM CruWear |
|---|---|---|
| Carbon (C) | 0.8 | 1.15 |
| Chromium (Cr) | 7.5 | 7.5 |
| Molybdenum (Mo) | 1.3 | 1.6 |
| Vanadium (V) | 2.75 | 2.4 |
| Manganese (Mn) | 0.3 | — |
| Silicon (Si) | 1 | — |
| Tungsten (W) | — | 1 |
Nominal weight %; "~" = midpoint of the standard's range, "—" = not listed by the source. Sources: Crucible datasheet (Niagara Specialty Metals) (CPM-3V), Crucible datasheet (Niagara Specialty Metals) (CPM CruWear).
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Full profiles: CPM-3V · CPM CruWear · best steel by purpose