In the world of premium knife steels, S30V and S35VN are two options you can’t ignore. Both come from Crucible Industries and seem similar, but small differences directly impact your product’s final performance and user experience.
You’re probably debating: Is S35VN, the “upgrade” to S30V, really worth it?
This comparison will help you fully understand the key differences so you can make the smartest steel choice for your products.
What are CPM S30V and S35VN steels?
CPM S30V
S30V was a groundbreaking steel developed by Crucible with knifemaker Chris Reeve. Its breakthrough was combining the high wear resistance of vanadium carbides with the rust resistance of stainless steel. Thanks to its excellent edge retention, it quickly became the gold standard for high-end production knives and is still a hard currency you can find on the market today.
CPM S35VN
S35VN is the optimized version of S30V. The key change was adding Niobium (Nb). This refinement to the formula created a finer grain structure, with the direct results being improved toughness and easier sharpening. For you and your customers, this means a knife that is both more durable and easier to maintain.
S30V vs. S35VN: Chemical composition breakdown
This table helps you quickly see the compositional differences. By adding 0.5% Niobium and tweaking the carbon and vanadium, S35VN offers you a rebalanced set of properties.
| Element | S30V | S35VN | Primary Role |
| Carbon (C) | 1.45% | 1.4% | Increases hardness and wear resistance. |
| Chromium (Cr) | 14.00% | 14.00% | The core element for corrosion resistance. |
| Vanadium (V) | 4.00% | 3.00% | Forms hard carbides for extreme wear resistance. |
| Molybdenum (Mo) | 2.00% | 2.00% | Improves toughness and corrosion resistance. |
| Niobium (Nb) | – | 0.50% | Key Difference: Refines grain structure for a major boost in toughness and sharpening ease. |
Composition Insight: Simply put, S30V’s high-vanadium design focuses on pure wear resistance. S35VN trades a tiny amount of that wear resistance for a significant gain in toughness by replacing some vanadium with niobium—a trade-off that has more practical benefits for you and your users.
Performance Comparison: S30V vs. S35VN
| Performance Metric | S30V | S35VN | What This Means for You |
| Edge Retention | ★★★★★★★★★☆ | ★★★★★★★★☆☆ | S30V is slightly better on paper, but the real-world gap is very small. |
| Toughness | ★★★★★★☆☆☆☆ | ★★★★★★★★☆☆ | Core Advantage: S35VN offers significantly better chip resistance. |
| Corrosion Resistance | ★★★★★★★★★☆ | ★★★★★★★★★☆ | They are on the same level; both are excellent. |
| Ease of Sharpening | ★★★★☆☆☆☆☆☆ | ★★★★★★☆☆☆☆ | Clear Improvement: S35VN is easier for you and your customers to sharpen. |
| Hardness (HRC) | 59-61 | 59-61 | Final hardness depends on the heat treatment process. |
| Price | High | High | For you as an OEM buyer, the raw material cost is very similar. |
Toughness
Remember, this is the core difference between the two. According to tests by Knife Steel Nerds, S35VN is about 15-20% tougher. This means your knife is far less likely to chip under hard use like prying or light chopping. Instead, the edge is more likely to roll, which is much easier to repair.
Edge Retention
S30V has a slight edge in pure wear resistance, but don’t be misled by this. This minor lab advantage is less impactful than a proper blade shape or heat treat. In the real world, S35VN’s higher toughness prevents micro-chipping, helping it maintain a “usable sharp” edge for longer.
Ease of Sharpening
For you and your customers, this is a very practical advantage. S35VN has finer carbides, which makes it faster and smoother to sharpen. Based on our production experience, sharpening time can be reduced by 20-30%. That’s a real efficiency gain, both in manufacturing and for the end-user.
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Corrosion Resistance
Treat these as essentially equal. Both steels contain 14% chromium and 2% molybdenum, giving them excellent protection against rust. Independent salt spray tests published by Knife Steel Nerds rate both at 7.5/10 for corrosion resistance—on par with high-performing stainless steels like 440C or VG-10, but with far more balanced overall performance.
Price
For your end customers, the final price difference between knives with these steels is negligible. For you, the OEM buyer, the raw material cost for S35VN is only slightly higher than S30V, making the performance upgrade a very cost-effective choice.
Recommended Use Cases
S30V: The Specialist for Pure Slicing
If your product is positioned for maximum slicing performance, S30V is an excellent choice.
- EDC Folders: Perfect for daily tasks like opening boxes and cutting cordage where long-lasting sharpness is key. It’s especially practical for smaller blades under 3 inches where toughness is less of a concern.
- Hunting Knives: When designing the parts of a hunting knife, S30V’s edge retention is ideal for the long, continuous cuts required for field dressing.
S35VN: The More Reliable All-Rounder
If your knives need to handle more complex and demanding tasks, S35VN is the safer, more versatile choice.
- Tactical/Survival Knives: Whether you’re making a fixed blade or a folder, these knives might face hard use. S35VN’s superior toughness prevents critical edge failure when it matters most.
- Outdoor/Camping Knives: In the field, a knife that is both tough and easy to sharpen is a more reliable partner. S35VN is that partner.
- High-End Folding Knives: For the many types of pocket knives aimed at the premium market, S35VN’s balanced profile makes it the go-to choice for modern designs. It’s a steel your customers can use with confidence.
The Bottom Line: How Should You Choose?
- Choose S30V if… your product prioritizes maximum wear resistance for fine slicing tasks.
- Choose S35VN if… you want to offer your customers a tougher, easier-to-maintain, and more versatile knife. It’s the more modern and forgiving choice for nearly any application.
Remember, choosing the right steel is just the first step. Partnering with a manufacturer who understands the technology is what truly unlocks a steel’s potential.
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Partner with Keganico for Your Knife Manufacturing Needs
At Keganico, we’re more than just an OEM knife manufacturer; we’re your product development partner.
When you work with us, you get:
- End-to-End OEM/ODM Services: From concept to production, we manage the entire process to bring your vision to life.
- Expert Material & Heat Treatment Control: We know how to precisely heat treat steels like S35VN to maximize their performance.
- Flexible Private Label Manufacturing Solutions: We offer custom programs to help you build your brand, no matter your order size.
- Rigorous QC & Reliable Delivery: We guarantee that every batch meets your standards and is delivered on time.
Ready to talk about your project? Contact us now for a quote and expert advice.
