CPM S30V vs CPM S35VN
CPM S35VN was designed as a direct, deliberate improvement on CPM S30V, and the two remain one of the most common “which one should I get” questions in premium stainless steel. Both come from Crucible, share a similar chromium-vanadium-molybdenum base, and differ mainly in how much vanadium carbide has been swapped for niobium carbide.
Quick Verdict
S35VN is the better all-around pick for most users: it trades a small amount of edge retention for meaningfully better toughness and easier grinding. S30V is still worth choosing if maximum edge retention is the single priority and you are willing to accept a bit more chipping risk.
Toughness
S35VN is noticeably tougher. Replacing some of S30V's vanadium carbide with niobium carbide was the whole point of developing S35VN, and it reduced chipping risk without giving up meaningful wear resistance.
Edge Retention
S30V holds a real but modest edge here, rated around 149% CATRA versus S35VN's 132%. Most users switching from S30V to S35VN will need to sharpen only slightly more often.
Corrosion Resistance
Essentially tied. Both use around 14% chromium and offer good, dependable stainless performance suitable for everyday-carry and outdoor use.
Heat Treat
Both use a similar heat-treat window (roughly 1900-2000 F austenitize, double temper 400-750 F), so neither is meaningfully harder to heat treat than the other at the shop level.
Grinding
S35VN is noticeably easier to grind and finish than S30V. Improving machinability over S30V was one of the explicit design goals when Crucible developed S35VN, and it shows in day-to-day shop work.
Best-Use Scenarios
Choose CPM S30V for EDC folders where maximum edge retention is the top priority and you do not mind a steel that is a bit more demanding to grind.
Choose CPM S35VN for general-purpose EDC, hunting knives, or any build where a more forgiving, easier-to-finish steel with strong all-around performance is preferred.