Grinding and Sharpening CPM S35VN: Belt Recommendations & Technique

CPM S35VN was deliberately engineered to grind and finish more easily than its predecessor, CPM S30V, while keeping nearly all of its edge retention. That design goal shows up directly at the belt grinder: expect noticeably less belt wear and faster finishing than S30V or CPM 20CV, while still benefiting from the same general approach used for premium powder-metallurgy stainless steels.

Belt Selection

Ceramic belts remain the best choice for stock removal, but S35VN is more forgiving of belt choice than harder-edged steels like S30V or CPM 20CV. Standard ceramic belts in the same grit range used for other CPM steels will get the job done with less belt consumption per knife.

Grit Progression

Technique

Standard belt-grinding technique applies well here: moderate to high belt speed, light controlled passes, and a coolant mister to protect the temper. Because S35VN loads belts more slowly than S30V, you can generally run a single belt further into a project before needing to dress or swap it.

Sharpening

S35VN sharpens noticeably easier than CPM S30V or CPM 20CV thanks to its reduced vanadium carbide content. It still benefits from diamond or CBN abrasives for the most efficient results, but responds reasonably well to good-quality aluminum oxide stones for routine touch-ups between full sharpenings.