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    • X50CrMoV15 1095 Carbon Steel Böhler M390 Böhler M390MK CPM 20CV CPM 3V CPM MagnaCut CPM S30V CPM S35VN CPM S45VN CPM S90V CTS BD1N CTS-204P D2 Tool Steel MagnaMax Nitro-V Sandvik 14C28N Tru-Sharp Surgical Stainless Steel

    Blade Steels

    Knife Blade Steels — Find the Right Steel for How You Carry and Cut

    Blade steel is the single most important factor in how a knife performs — and the most misunderstood. Every steel is a set of tradeoffs. The properties that give a steel exceptional edge retention (high carbide volume) are the same properties that make it harder to sharpen and more susceptible to chipping. The properties that give a steel high toughness (simple carbon, low alloy) are the same properties that reduce corrosion resistance. No steel is best at everything. The right steel depends on how you use the knife, how you maintain it, and what you're willing to trade.

    At Knifeworks, we organize our blade steel selection into three broad categories. Stainless PM steels like CPM-S30V, CPM-S35VN, CPM MagnaCut, CTS-204P, and M390 are the standard for premium EDC folders — they resist rust, hold a working edge for extended periods, and are produced by powder metallurgy for a fine, consistent microstructure. High-carbon steels like 1095, 5160, and O1 are the standard for outdoor and hard-use fixed blades — they are tougher, easier to sharpen in the field, and capable of taking a more acute edge, but require basic maintenance to prevent rust. Mid-tier stainless steels like AUS-8, 8Cr13MoV, and 14C28N are found on production knives across the mid-range and budget segments — they resist rust well, sharpen easily, and are perfectly serviceable for most everyday tasks.

    The pages below break down each steel in depth — composition, heat treatment, real-world performance, and which knives to buy if that steel is what you're after. If you know what you want, use the filters. If you're not sure, start with the steel guide below or call us at 888-225-9775 and we'll point you in the right direction.

    Premium stainless (PM) steels
    Best edge retention, excellent corrosion resistance, more demanding to sharpen. The standard for high-end EDC folders.
    CPM MagnaCut • CPM-S30V • CPM-S35VN • CTS-204P • M390 • 20CV
    High-carbon steels
    Highest toughness, very easy to sharpen in the field, takes a keen edge. Requires oil and basic care to prevent rust.
    1095 • 5160 • 1084 • O1 • D2 • W2
    Mid-tier stainless steels
    Good corrosion resistance, easy to sharpen, excellent value. The everyday workhorse of the production knife world.
    AUS-8 • 8Cr13MoV • 14C28N • 440C • VG-10 • 154CM
    Compare Selected
    What is the best knife steel?

    There is no single best knife steel — the right steel depends on how you use the knife and what you're willing to maintain. For everyday carry folders where rust resistance matters and you want the best balance of edge retention and toughness, CPM MagnaCut is currently the top recommendation from metallurgist Dr. Larrin Thomas (who designed it) and from the knife community broadly. For hard-use outdoor fixed blades where toughness and easy field sharpening matter more than rust resistance, 1095 is the proven choice. For budget EDC with no-fuss maintenance, AUS-8 or 8Cr13MoV are perfectly capable steels in a well-made knife.

    What is the difference between stainless and carbon steel knives?

    Stainless steels contain at least ~13% chromium, which forms a passive oxide layer that resists rust. Carbon steels contain little or no chromium and will rust if neglected. The tradeoff is that high-carbon steels are generally tougher and easier to sharpen than stainless steels at comparable hardness — the absence of large chromium carbides leaves more of the steel matrix as tough iron, and the lower carbide volume means fewer hard particles for the sharpening stone to fight through. For outdoor and hard-use knives, most experts recommend high-carbon steel. For everyday carry, kitchen, and any situation where the knife may get wet or be stored without regular maintenance, stainless is the practical choice.

    What does HRC mean on a knife?

    HRC stands for Hardness Rockwell C, the scale used to measure the hardness of hardened steel. Most production knives are heat treated to between 55 and 65 HRC. Higher HRC generally means better edge retention but increased brittleness — a very hard blade holds an edge longer but is more likely to chip if used for tasks that stress the edge laterally, like prying or striking. Most EDC knives land between 58–62 HRC, which balances edge retention with enough toughness for general use. The optimal hardness depends on the steel — not all steels perform the same at the same HRC.

    What is powder metallurgy (PM) steel?

    Powder metallurgy (PM) is a steel production process where the alloy is atomized into fine powder and then consolidated under heat and pressure. This produces a much finer and more uniform carbide distribution than conventional ingot casting, which allows PM steels to carry higher alloy content (vanadium, chromium, molybdenum) without the large, uneven carbides that would make a conventional high-alloy steel brittle and difficult to work. Steels like CPM-S30V, CPM MagnaCut, M390, and CTS-204P are all PM steels — the “CPM” prefix stands for Crucible Particle Metallurgy, Crucible Industries' proprietary PM process.

    How do I know what steel my knife is?

    The blade steel is listed in the product specifications on every Knifeworks listing. Many manufacturers also etch or stamp the steel designation on the blade itself — look near the ricasso (the unsharpened area of the blade just forward of the handle). If the steel isn't marked on the blade and you can't find the spec sheet, call us at 888-225-9775 and we can confirm it from our records. For knives you already own that weren't purchased from us, check the manufacturer's website or the original packaging.

    Blade steel quick reference guide

    SteelEdge retentionToughnessCorrosion resistanceSharpenabilityBest for
    Premium stainless (powder metallurgy)
    CPM MagnaCutVery highExceptionalExcellentEasyBest all-around stainless
    CPM-S35VNHighMod–HighAbove avgModeratePremium EDC folders
    CPM-S30VHighModerateAbove avgModerateBenchmade, Spyderco flagship
    CTS-204P / M390 / 20CVVery highModerateExcellentDifficultMax stain resistance EDC
    High-carbon steels
    1095ModerateHighLowVery easyOutdoor & survival fixed blades
    D2HighModerateLow–avgDifficultBudget high-performance folders
    5160ModerateVery highLowEasyHeavy-use choppers & hunters
    Mid-tier stainless steels
    VG-10ModerateModerateGoodModerateSpyderco mid-range, kitchen
    AUS-8ModerateModerateGoodEasyBudget EDC, casual everyday use
    8Cr13MoVModerateModerateGoodVery easyEntry-level production knives
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    Deep steel guides for every category
    CPM MagnaCut • CPM-S30V • 1095 • CTS-204P and more
    Not sure which steel? Call us
    888-225-9775 — we'll match you to the right knife