MagnaCut vs S35VN vs M390: Best EDC Knife Steel 2026

Last updated: May 25, 2026 · Originally published: April 27, 2026

Quick answer: Pick MagnaCut if you want the best all-around EDC steel of 2026 — it beats S35VN and M390 in toughness and corrosion resistance with comparable edge retention. Pick S35VN if you want a proven, affordable premium steel that’s easy to sharpen at home. Pick M390 if you do most of your cutting on cardboard and rope and want the longest edge between sharpenings, and you’re okay with harder field maintenance. All three are excellent — the differences only matter at the margins.

What you actually need to know

Knife-steel comparisons get nerdy fast. The four properties that actually matter for an EDC pocket knife:

1. Edge retention — how many cuts before it dulls.
2. Toughness — resistance to chipping or breaking under lateral stress.
3. Corrosion resistance — how it handles sweat, rain, citrus, and pocket lint.
4. Sharpenability — can you put a working edge back on it with a $30 hone, or do you need diamond stones?

MagnaCut vs S35VN vs M390 — at a glance

Steel	Edge retention	Toughness	Corrosion resistance	Sharpenability	Typical HRC
CPM-MagnaCut	★★★★☆	★★★★★	★★★★★	★★★★☆	62-64
CPM-S35VN	★★★☆☆	★★★★☆	★★★☆☆	★★★★★	58-60
Bohler M390	★★★★★	★★★☆☆	★★★★☆	★★☆☆☆	60-62

What is CPM-MagnaCut?

MagnaCut was designed in 2021 by metallurgist Larrin Thomas and produced by Crucible Industries using their CPM (Crucible Particle Metallurgy) process. It was specifically engineered to balance the three properties that historically traded off against each other — edge retention, toughness, and corrosion resistance.

The key innovation: MagnaCut achieves stainless-grade corrosion resistance without the giant chromium carbides that make most stainless steels brittle. The result is a steel that holds an edge as long as S35VN, resists corrosion better than 154CM, and shrugs off impacts better than D2.

• Composition (key elements): 1.15% C · 10.7% Cr · 2% Mo · 4% V · 2% Nb
• Typical HRC: 62-64
• Found in: Bradford Guardian, Spyderco Mule, Benchmade Bugout, Demko AD20.5, Hogue Deka, Bark River EDC fixed blades

What is CPM-S35VN?

S35VN, also from Crucible, was developed in collaboration with Chris Reeve Knives in 2009. It improved on the original S30V by replacing some of the vanadium carbides with niobium, which made the steel easier to grind and sharpen without sacrificing edge retention.

Fifteen years later it’s the most common premium stainless on the market — and it earned that spot. It’s not the longest-lasting edge, not the toughest, not the most corrosion-resistant. But it’s “good enough” at all four properties, available in everything from $109 production folders to $500 customs, and a complete amateur can resharpen it on a $30 ceramic hone.

• Composition (key elements): 1.4% C · 14% Cr · 2% Mo · 3% V · 0.5% Nb
• Typical HRC: 58-60
• Found in: Chris Reeve Sebenza, Spyderco Para 3 LW, Civivi Elementum FatCarbon, Benchmade Mini Bugout, ZT 0801, hundreds of mid-tier production folders

What is Bohler M390?

M390 is an Austrian high-vanadium powdered stainless from Bohler-Uddeholm. It was designed for machine tooling and adopted by knifemakers because of its absurd edge retention. It earned a reputation as the “premium” high-end production steel of the 2010s.

The trade-off: M390’s edge retention comes from a forest of hard vanadium carbides, which means resharpening it requires diamond stones or strong ceramics. If you’re sending knives out for sharpening or you have a Wicked Edge / KME / Hapstone setup, M390 is wonderful. If you sharpen freehand on whatever stone is in your kitchen drawer, you’ll be frustrated.

• Composition (key elements): 1.9% C · 20% Cr · 1% Mo · 4% V · 0.6% W
• Typical HRC: 60-62
• Found in: Benchmade Bugout (older runs), WE Shadowhook, Lionsteel TRE, ZT 0562, Pohl Force Mike Series, most premium production folders 2014-2023
• Equivalent steels: CPM-20CV (Crucible) and CTS-204P (Carpenter) are functionally identical to M390 — the chemistry is the same, the suppliers differ.

Real-world cutting comparison

Knife Steel Nerds and several independent reviewers have run controlled CATRA edge-retention tests. Translated to “how often you’ll resharpen for typical EDC use” (boxes, plastic, cordage, food prep, occasional rope):

• S35VN — every 4-6 weeks of moderate carry
• MagnaCut — every 6-8 weeks of moderate carry
• M390 — every 8-10 weeks of moderate carry

The M390 advantage is real but smaller than the steel-snob internet would have you believe. Where M390 stretches its lead is on abrasive media — cardboard with grit, rope, dirty rope. For 90% of EDC tasks, the difference between MagnaCut and M390 isn’t worth the sharpenability penalty.

Which steel should you buy?

Buy MagnaCut if…

• This is your first premium-steel knife and you want one steel that does everything well.
• You carry near saltwater, sweat hard, or work outdoors year-round.
• You sometimes use your knife harder than a “gentleman’s knife” implies (camp prep, batoning small kindling, opening stuck packaging).

Buy S35VN if…

• You want premium-tier performance without paying a premium price (CIVIVI Elementum FatCarbon, Civivi Mini Elementum, Spyderco Para 3 LW all run S35VN under $150).
• You sharpen at home and want a steel that responds to a basic ceramic rod or stone.
• You already own M390 or MagnaCut and want a different “feel” knife in the rotation.

Buy M390 if…

• You cut a lot of cardboard, sisal, or other abrasive media.
• You own diamond plates or a guided sharpener and don’t mind the upkeep.
• You’re chasing a specific knife (WE Shadowhook, ZT, Lionsteel) where M390 is the only available steel.

Frequently asked questions

Is MagnaCut better than S35VN?

For most EDC users, yes — MagnaCut beats S35VN in toughness, corrosion resistance, and edge retention while remaining easier to sharpen than M390. The only reason to choose S35VN over MagnaCut is price: S35VN folders start under $110, MagnaCut folders typically start at $180+.

Is M390 still worth it in 2026?

Yes for cardboard cutters, package-handler EDC users, and people who already have a sharpening setup that handles high-vanadium steels. For everyone else, MagnaCut offers most of M390’s edge retention with significantly better toughness and easier maintenance.

What HRC should I buy?

Stay within the manufacturer’s specified range. MagnaCut at 62-64 HRC, S35VN at 58-60 HRC, M390 at 60-62 HRC are the sweet spots. Knives heat-treated below those ranges roll edges; above, they chip.

Does CPM-20CV equal M390?

Functionally yes — CPM-20CV (Crucible) and CTS-204P (Carpenter) share M390’s chemistry and perform identically in CATRA testing. Brand prefers vary based on which mill they have a relationship with.

What about S30V, 154CM, and D2?

S30V is the predecessor to S35VN — a touch harder, slightly more brittle, and harder to sharpen. 154CM is a lower-tier stainless used in budget Benchmades — fine, but outclassed. D2 is a tool steel with great edge retention at its price point but rusts easily. None are wrong, but if you’re cross-shopping MagnaCut, S35VN, and M390, you’ve already moved past these.

The bottom line

If you’re buying one premium knife in 2026, buy MagnaCut. If you’re buying two, make the second one S35VN — it’s the cost-effective workhorse. M390 is excellent for specific cutting tasks but no longer the default choice for an “I want the best” purchase.

Looking at specific knives running these steels? Start with our coverage of the new Civivi Elementum FatCarbon (S35VN) and the Best EDC Knives of 2026 roundup.

This article contains links to manufacturer pages and editorial sources. Popular EDC may earn a commission on qualifying purchases through affiliate partners.

Related: MagnaCut isn’t only in folding knives anymore — the new Leatherman Arc is the first multitool built with it. See where it ranks in our 2026 EDC multitool guide.