CPM MagnaCut vs CPM-S35VN
A side-by-side of two stainless knife steels on the specs that decide a purchase. CPM MagnaCut is a powder-metallurgy stainless steel; CPM-S35VN is a powder-metallurgy stainless steel.
| Property | CPM MagnaCut | CPM-S35VN | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hardness (HRC) | 60-64 | 58-61 | — |
| Edge retention | very high | high | CPM MagnaCut leads |
| Corrosion resistance | very high | high | CPM MagnaCut leads |
| Toughness | very high | high | CPM MagnaCut leads |
| Ease of sharpening | moderate | moderate | — |
| Price tier | Premium | Premium | — |
CPM MagnaCut suits edc / folders, kitchen, outdoor / bushcraft, hard-use / survival; CPM-S35VN suits edc / folders, kitchen, 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 MagnaCut | CPM-S35VN |
|---|---|---|
| Carbon (C) | 1.15 | 1.4 |
| Chromium (Cr) | 10.7 | 14 |
| Molybdenum (Mo) | 2 | 2 |
| Vanadium (V) | 4 | 3 |
| Niobium (Nb) | 2 | 0.5 |
| Nitrogen (N) | 0.2 | — |
Nominal weight %; "~" = midpoint of the standard's range, "—" = not listed by the source. Sources: Crucible datasheet (Niagara Specialty Metals) (CPM MagnaCut), Crucible datasheet (Niagara Specialty Metals) (CPM-S35VN).
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Full profiles: CPM MagnaCut · CPM-S35VN · best steel by purpose