Knife Steel Guide: MagnaCut, M390, Elmax, Vanadis 4E & More Explained
There Is No Single “Best” Knife Steel
Different knife steels are designed around different compromises.
The Sharp Quarters Steel Rating
| Steel | Typical Knife HRC* | Edge Retention | Toughness | Corrosion Resistance | Sharpening | Great For |
| MagnaCut | 60–63+ | 4/5 | 5/5 | 5/5 | 3/5 | Premium all-around, outdoor, hunting |
| M390 | 60–62 | 4/5 | 2/5 | 5/5 | 2/5 | EDC, premium folders, slicing |
| Elmax | 58–62 | 4/5 | 3/5 | 4/5 | 3/5 | Outdoor and fixed blades |
| Vanadis 4E | 58–62 | 4/5 | 5/5 | 1/5 | 2/5 | Hard use, survival |
| RWL-34 | 59–64 | 3/5 | 3/5 | 4/5 | 4/5 | Customs, EDC, fine cutting |
| M398 | ~60–64 | 5/5 | 1/5 | 4/5 | 1/5 | Extreme wear resistance |
| S90V | ~59–61 | 5/5 | 2/5 | 4/5 | 1/5 | Long-cutting EDC |
| CPM 20CV | ~59–61 | 4/5 | 2/5 | 5/5 | 2/5 | Premium folders and EDC |
| CTS-XHP | 60–64 | 3/5 | 3/5 | 3/5 | 3/5 | EDC and fine cutting |
| N690 | 59–61 | 3/5 | 3/5 | 4/5 | 4/5 | Hunting, outdoor, general use |
| K110 / D2 | ~58–61 | 3/5 | 3/5 | 2/5 | 3/5 | Working and hunting knives |
*Actual hardness depends on the manufacturer’s heat treatment. Do not assume every knife made from a particular steel has identical hardness or performance.
CPM MagnaCut
Developer: Metallurgist Larrin Thomas
Current production: Erasteel; originally produced by Crucible
Type: Powder metallurgy stainless steel.
This gives MagnaCut a rare mix of high toughness, good edge retention, and excellent rust resistance.
In real use, MagnaCut works especially well for premium outdoor and hunting knives. Moisture, blood, rain, and humidity are less of a problem than with non-stainless steels, and its toughness helps prevent edge chips during tough jobs.
Advantages: Excellent corrosion resistance, outstanding toughness for stainless steel, good edge retention, and the ability to support relatively thin cutting geometry.
Trade-offs: MagnaCut doesn't hold an edge as long as M398 or S90V, and it takes more work to sharpen than simpler stainless steels.
Sharp Quarters rating: Edge 4/5 · Toughness 5/5 · Corrosion 5/5 · Sharpening 3/5
Böhler M390
Manufacturer: Böhler Edelstahl, Austria
Type: Powder metallurgy stainless steel
Typical knife hardness: Approximately 60–62 HRC
M390 is a top choice for many everyday carry users because it offers high wear resistance, holds an edge well, and resists rust very well.
M390 is especially good for folding knives, EDC knives, and cutting tasks where the blade mostly slices and does not face heavy impacts or twisting.
Advantages: Long-lasting cutting edge, exceptional stain resistance, and excellent performance in premium EDC knives.
Trade-offs: M390 is not as tough as MagnaCut or Vanadis 4E. It also takes much longer to sharpen once it gets really dull.
For most people, this just means you should use M390 for cutting, not for prying.
Sharp Quarters rating: Edge 4/5 · Toughness 2/5 · Corrosion 5/5 · Sharpening 2/5
Uddeholm Elmax
Manufacturer: Uddeholm, Sweden
Type: Powder metallurgy stainless steel
Hardness: Approximately 58–62 HRC
In practice, Elmax sits between the extremes. It keeps its edge well, is tough enough, resists rust, and is easier to care for than high-vanadium steels like S90V.
This balance makes Elmax a great choice for serious fixed blades and outdoor knives.
Advantages: Excellent overall balance, good corrosion resistance, strong edge retention, and better toughness than many ultra-high-wear stainless steels.
Trade-offs: Newer steels like MagnaCut can be tougher and resist rust better at similar hardness levels.
And yes, Elmax can rust. Stainless means it resists rust, but it is not rust-proof. Blood, salt, acids, moisture, and dirt can still damage stainless blades, especially near laser markings, scratches, or rough spots. Always clean and dry your knife after using it on game or food.
Sharp Quarters rating: Edge 4/5 · Toughness 3/5 · Corrosion 4/5 · Sharpening 3/5
Uddeholm Vanadis 4 Extra
Manufacturer: Uddeholm, Sweden
Type: Powder metallurgy tool steel — non-stainless
Recommended hardness: 58–62 HRC; capable of approximately 64 HRC
Vanadis 4 Extra has a different focus. Instead of aiming for rust resistance, Uddeholm designed Vanadis 4E to be tough, wear-resistant, and resistant to edge chipping. This makes it very appealing for hard-use fixed blades.
The downside is maintenance. Vanadis 4E is not stainless, so you should clean, dry, and ideally protect it with a light oil if it gets wet or is used in humid conditions.
Advantages: Outstanding toughness, strong wear resistance, excellent chipping resistance, and very good performance in demanding fixed blades.
Trade-offs: It has low rust resistance and is harder to sharpen than regular steels.
Sharp Quarters rating: Edge 4/5 · Toughness 5/5 · Corrosion 1/5 · Sharpening 2/5
RWL-34
Manufacturer: Damasteel, Sweden
Type: Powder metallurgy stainless steel
Knife hardness: Roughly 59–64 HRC depending on heat treatment
RWL-34 is a favorite among custom knifemakers because it performs well and looks great when finished.
Compared to today’s ultra-high-carbide steels, RWL-34 does not hold its edge quite as long, but it gives you a fine edge, good rust resistance, and is easier to maintain.
This makes it a great choice for high-end custom knives, collector pieces, and smaller premium fixed blades.
Sharp Quarters rating: Edge 3/5 · Toughness 3/5 · Corrosion 4/5 · Sharpening 4/5
Böhler M398 Microclean
Manufacturer: Böhler Edelstahl, Austria
Type: Powder metallurgy stainless steel
Typical knife hardness: Approximately 60–64 HRC
M398 takes the idea behind M390 and pushes it much further toward wear resistance and edge retention. M398 holds an edge for a long time, but its high carbide content makes it much less tough.
This makes M398 a good choice for specialized cutting tools and premium knives where long-lasting slicing matters more than impact resistance.
Advantages: Remarkable wear resistance and extremely long cutting-edge life.
Trade-offs: M398 is not as tough as more balanced steels and is very hard to sharpen. Diamond or CBN sharpeners are highly recommended.
Sharp Quarters rating: Edge 5/5 · Toughness 1/5 · Corrosion 4/5 · Sharpening 1/5
CPM S90V
Manufacturer: Crucible Industries, USA (now: Erasteel from 2025)
Type: Powder metallurgy stainless steel
Typical knife hardness: 59-61 HRC
S90V is a classic pick for people who want a knife that keeps cutting for a long time.
Its high vanadium content forms many very hard vanadium carbides, giving it great wear resistance and edge retention.
Advantages: Exceptional edge retention and wear resistance, useful stainless corrosion resistance.
The trade-off is that S90V is much harder to grind and sharpen, and it is not as tough as steels like MagnaCut.
For an everyday carry knife that mostly opens boxes, cuts cord, and slices materials, S90V is a smart choice. But for a large chopping knife, other steels are better options.
Sharp Quarters rating: Edge 5/5 · Toughness 2/5 · Corrosion 4/5 · Sharpening 1/5
CPM 20CV
Type: Powder metallurgy stainless steel
Typical knife hardness: 59-61 HRC
20CV is basically in the same family as Böhler M390.
In fact, M390, 20CV, and Carpenter CTS-204P are seen as very similar steels. How a knife performs often depends more on heat treatment and blade shape than on small differences between these steels.
Like M390, 20CV is great for premium folding knives and everyday carry blades.
Sharp Quarters rating: Edge 4/5 · Toughness 2/5 · Corrosion 5/5 · Sharpening 2/5
Carpenter CTS-XHP
Manufacturer: Carpenter Technology, USA
Type: Powder metallurgy high-carbon stainless alloy
Hardness potential: Approximately 60–64 HRC in knife-relevant treatments
CTS-XHP is often described as a mix between a hard 440C and a rust-resistant D2.
For users, XHP is a good middle ground. It holds an edge well, is tough enough, takes a fine edge, and is not too hard to sharpen.
Sharp Quarters rating: Edge 3/5 · Toughness 3/5 · Corrosion 3/5 · Sharpening 3/5
Böhler N690
Manufacturer: Böhler Edelstahl, Austria
Type: Martensitic stainless steel
Typical hardness: Approximately 59–61 HRC
N690 shows that a steel does not have to be the latest “super steel” to make a great knife.
Compared to M390 or S90V, N690 does not hold its edge as long. But it is much easier to sharpen and gives a good mix of rust resistance, toughness, and easy care.
For a hunting or outdoor knife that you plan to sharpen yourself, this can actually be a big plus.
Advantages: Offers an excellent practical combination of corrosion resistance, wear resistance, and ease of maintenance. For knife users, one of its biggest practical advantages is that it remains considerably easier to sharpen than ultra-high-wear powder steels such as S90V or M398.
Trade-offs: N690 does not provide the extreme edge retention of premium powder steels such as M390, S90V or M398.
Sharp Quarters rating: Edge 3/5 · Toughness 3/5 · Corrosion 4/5 · Sharpening 4/5
Böhler K110 / D2
Manufacturer: Böhler Edelstahl, Austria
Equivalent: AISI D2 / 1.2379
Type: High-chromium tool steel — not fully stainless
K110 is Böhler’s version of D2, a steel known for its good wear resistance and solid performance in working knives.
It has more chromium than plain carbon steels, so it resists stains better, but much of that chromium forms carbides. That’s why D2 steels are often called semi-stainless instead of fully stainless.
K110 keeps its edge well, is fairly tough, and is easier to sharpen than steels like M398 or S90V. Still, you should clean and dry it after it gets wet or dirty.
Sharp Quarters rating: Edge 3/5 · Toughness 3/5 · Corrosion 2/5 · Sharpening 3/5
What About Laminated and Damascus Steels?
Some Sharp Quarters knives use laminated construction, meaning the cutting core and the outer layers are made from different steels.
For example, a knife might have a hard K110 core with corrosion-resistant N690 on the outside, or a high-performance core wrapped in decorative Damascus.
With these knives, remember the whole blade isn't made from just one steel.
The core steel mostly decides how the edge cuts, how hard it is, and how long it lasts. The outer layers can help with rust protection, toughness, strength, or just give the knife a unique look.
Damascus is a way of making steel, not a single type of steel. Performance depends on the alloys used and, if there is a core, what steel is at the edge.
We’ll cover Damascus and laminated knife steels in another Sharp Quarters guide.
What Does HRC Actually Mean?
HRC stands for the Rockwell C hardness scale.
Simply put, higher hardness usually helps a blade resist bending and keep its edge longer. But harder is not always better.
As hardness goes up, toughness can go down. That’s why makers choose heat treatments based on how the knife will be used.
A thin slicing knife might work better with higher hardness. A big outdoor knife that will take impacts might need a bit less hardness and more toughness.
That’s why just picking the knife with the higher HRC number can be misleading. The steel, heat treatment, and blade shape all need to work together.
Which Knife Steel Should You Choose?
There is no single answer, but how you plan to use the knife helps narrow down your choices.
For a top-quality outdoor knife, MagnaCut is a great mix of rust resistance and toughness.
For a high-end everyday carry knife that focuses on slicing and edge retention, M390, 20CV, and S90V are all strong choices.
If you need a tough fixed blade and care less about rust, Vanadis 4 Extra is worth a look.
If you want extreme edge retention, M398 and S90V are top picks for wear resistance. N690 and RWL-34 are easier to maintain and sharpen.
So the real question is not:
“What is the best knife steel?”
It is:
“What combination of edge retention, toughness, corrosion resistance, and sharpening do I need from this knife?”
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