CPM-S30V vs Böhler M390
A side-by-side of two stainless knife steels on the specs that decide a purchase. CPM-S30V is a powder-metallurgy stainless steel; Böhler M390 is a powder-metallurgy stainless steel.
| Property | CPM-S30V | Böhler M390 | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hardness (HRC) | 58-61 | 60-62 | — |
| Edge retention | high | very high | Böhler M390 leads |
| Corrosion resistance | high | very high | Böhler M390 leads |
| Toughness | medium | medium | about the same |
| Ease of sharpening | hard | hard | — |
| Price tier | Premium | Super / high-end | — |
CPM-S30V suits edc / folders, kitchen; Böhler M390 suits edc / folders, kitchen. 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-S30V | Böhler M390 |
|---|---|---|
| Carbon (C) | 1.45 | 1.9 |
| Chromium (Cr) | 14 | 20 |
| Molybdenum (Mo) | 2 | 1 |
| Vanadium (V) | 4 | 4 |
| Tungsten (W) | — | 0.6 |
| Manganese (Mn) | — | 0.3 |
| Silicon (Si) | — | 0.7 |
Nominal weight %; "~" = midpoint of the standard's range, "—" = not listed by the source. Sources: Crucible datasheet (Niagara Specialty Metals) (CPM-S30V), Bohler datasheet page (Böhler M390).
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Full profiles: CPM-S30V · Böhler M390 · best steel by purpose