CPM-3V knife steel
CPM-3V is a powder-metallurgy (PM) tool & high-speed knife steel, typically hardened to HRC 58-62.
| Type | Tool & high-speed · powder metallurgy |
|---|---|
| Hardness | HRC 58-62 |
| Edge retention | highhigher than 19 of 48, tied with 17 |
| Corrosion resistance | mediumhigher than 15 of 48, tied with 6 |
| Toughness | very-highhigher than 40 of 48, tied with 8 |
| Ease of sharpening | hard to sharpenamong the hardest to sharpen of 49 |
| Price tier | Premium |
| Best for | Hard-use / survivalOutdoor / bushcraft |
CPM-3V chemical composition
| C | Cr | Mo | V | Mn | Si |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.8 | 7.5 | 1.3 | 2.75 | 0.3 | 1 |
Nominal weight %. Source: Crucible datasheet (Niagara Specialty Metals). What the alloying adds: vanadium (2.75%) gives hard vanadium carbides, the main source of wear resistance.
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Knives in CPM-3V
COLD STEEL SRK 6" CPM 3V Clip Point Razor-Sharp Blade 4.75" Kray-Ex Du- Cold Steel AK-47 Field 5.5" CPM 3V Razor-Sharp Clip Point Blade 4.875"
- Cold Steel Master Hunter 4.5" CPM 3V Drop Point Razor-Sharp Blade 4.75
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Compared with
Similar tool & high-speed steels
| Steel | Type | HRC | Edge | Corrosion | Toughness | Tier | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| O1 | Tool & high-speed | 57-62 | medium | low | high | Budget | Shop → |
| A2 | Tool & high-speed | 60-62 | high | low | very high | Mid | Shop → |
| D2 | Tool & high-speed | 58-62 | high | medium | medium | Mid | Shop → |
| CPM CruWear PM | Tool & high-speed | 60-64 | high | medium | very high | Premium | Shop → |
| CPM-4V PM | Tool & high-speed | 60-64 | high | low | very high | Premium | Shop → |
| Vanadis 4 Extra PM | Tool & high-speed | 60-63 | high | low | very high | Premium | Shop → |
All tool & high-speed steels · every steel · best for a purpose