Is S90V harder to sharpen than S35VN?

Yes, significantly. S90V contains massive primary vanadium carbides that wear down aluminum oxide sharpening stones quickly. You'll need diamond or CBN abrasives to sharpen S90V effectively. S35VN sharpens easily with any stone or guided system.

How much longer does S90V hold an edge compared to S35VN?

In controlled cutting tests, S90V typically holds its edge 2-3 times longer than S35VN. The exact ratio depends on what you're cutting — abrasive materials like cardboard with tape grit accelerate wear on both steels but S90V's high vanadium content resists it much better.

Is S35VN tougher than S90V?

Yes, S35VN has significantly better toughness than S90V. S35VN's finer carbide structure and optimized composition makes it more resistant to chipping under lateral stress. S90V's massive vanadium carbides, while great for wear resistance, create stress points that can chip under hard use.

Which steel is more stainless — S35VN or S90V?

S35VN has slightly better corrosion resistance than S90V. Both are stainless steels and neither will rust under normal EDC conditions, but S35VN's higher chromium content in solution makes it more forgiving in humid or salty environments.

Should a beginner buy S35VN or S90V for their first premium knife?

S35VN is the better choice for a first premium knife. It's tougher, easier to sharpen, and more forgiving of mistakes. S90V is better suited for experienced users who have diamond sharpening equipment and know they need extreme edge retention.

S35VN vs S90V: Which Premium EDC Knife Steel Is Right for You?

The Premium Steel Question

If you've shopped for EDC knives above $80, you've seen the specs: S35VN, S90V, M390, Elmax, CPM-20CV. Among these, S35VN and S90V are two of the most common premium options — and they sit at very different points on the steel performance triangle.

S35VN is a tough, well-balanced stainless steel designed for everyday reliability. S90V is a high-wear steel that prioritizes edge retention above almost everything else. Choosing between them means understanding what you're willing to trade: toughness for edge life, or edge life for ease of sharpening.

S35VN: The Trusted Workhorse

Developed by Crucible Industries as an evolution of S30V, CPM-S35VN adds vanadium carbides for improved toughness while maintaining excellent corrosion resistance. It's become the default premium steel for EDC folding knives across nearly every brand.

Key specs:

Edge retention: Good — holds an edge longer than 154CM, Nitro-V, or VG-10
Toughness: Excellent — resists chipping better than S90V or M390
Corrosion resistance: Very good — stainless enough for daily carry in most environments
Sharpenability: Easy — responds well to standard sharpening stones and guided systems
Hardness: Typically 58-61 HRC

Best for: All-around EDC users who want premium performance without fragility. S35VN is the ideal steel for a single-knife collection — it does everything well and bounces back from hard use.

What the experts say: Knife Steel Nerds rates S35VN higher than S30V in toughness while maintaining comparable wear resistance. The finer carbide structure also means it takes a keener edge than its predecessor.

Affiliate brand picks: ArtisanCutlery uses S35VN extensively in their mid-range. The Tradition V2 ($89.99) is a G10-handled drop point with S35VN. The Kroc ($129) from Vosteed brings S35VN in a sheepsfoot profile. The Vosteed Naga ($139) pairs S35VN with bamboo micarta for a unique EDC experience.

S90V: The Edge Retention King

CPM-S90V is a high-vanadium powder metallurgy steel with massive primary vanadium carbides. It holds an edge significantly longer than S35VN — in many tests, 2-3x the cutting time before noticeable dulling.

Key specs:

Edge retention: Outstanding — among the best of any stainless knife steel
Toughness: Fair — more brittle than S35VN, prone to chipping under lateral stress
Corrosion resistance: Good — stainless, but slightly less corrosion resistant than S35VN
Sharpenability: Difficult — high vanadium content requires diamond abrasives
Hardness: Typically 59-61 HRC

Best for: Users who want maximum time between sharpening sessions. S90V shines in scenarios where you make many cuts between sharpening opportunities — field work, outdoor trips, or heavy daily cutting.

The trade-off: S90V's extreme wear resistance comes at the cost of toughness and ease of sharpening. You'll sharpen less often, but when you do, it requires diamond stones or CBN abrasives. Standard aluminum oxide stones will struggle to cut the steel effectively.

Affiliate brand picks: ArtisanCutlery offers two premium S90V models. The Fragarach ATZ-1879G pairs S90V with a titanium handle, while the Wizard ATZ-1870G combines S90V with a copper handle for a unique patina-developing EDC piece.

Head-to-Head Comparison

Attribute	S35VN	S90V
Edge Retention	Good	Outstanding (2-3x S35VN)
Toughness	Excellent	Fair (more brittle)
Corrosion Resistance	Very Good	Good
Ease of Sharpening	Easy (any stones)	Difficult (needs diamond)
Typical HRC	58-61	59-61
Cost	$$	$$$
Best Use Case	All-around EDC	Heavy cutting / field use

Which Should You Choose?

Choose S35VN if:

This is your only EDC knife
You want low-maintenance sharpening with standard tools
You occasionally cut against hard surfaces (cardboard with tape grit, wire ties)
You value toughness and reliability over raw edge retention

Choose S90V if:

You already own a more balanced steel and want a specialist
You have diamond sharpening equipment
You make hundreds of cuts per session and hate stopping to touch up
Edge retention is your top priority and you accept the trade-offs

Heat Treatment Matters

A well-heat-treated S35VN blade at 60 HRC can outperform a poorly treated S90V blade at 57 HRC. Both Crucible CPM steels respond strongly to proper heat treatment protocols. Brands like Kizer, WE Knife, and ArtisanCutlery generally deliver consistent heat treatment. Our M390 vs S90V vs Elmax vs CPM-20CV comparison covers the full premium steel landscape if you're considering other options.

Final Verdict

S35VN is the smarter choice for most EDC users. It offers 90% of the performance with none of the sharpening headaches. S90V is a specialist tool for users who genuinely need extreme edge retention and are willing to invest in diamond sharpening equipment.

If you're building your first premium EDC collection, start with an S35VN knife. You can add an S90V piece later when you understand your cutting habits better.

For more context, check our 14C28N vs AR-RPM9 vs Nitro-V vs S35VN comparison for the full budget-to-premium steel picture. If you're looking for your first premium folder, browse our Kizer Knives buying guide and WE Knife buying guide.