CPM 20CV
CPM 20CV is Crucible’s chemical twin to Bohler’s famous M390, both third-generation powder-metallurgy stainless steels loaded with chromium and vanadium for exceptional wear resistance and corrosion resistance. The two are close enough to be treated as interchangeable, and CPM 20CV has become one of the most requested premium steels in modern EDC and outdoor knives.
CPM 20CV FAQ
Is CPM 20CV the same as M390?
They are chemically near-identical, both third-generation powder-metallurgy steels from different manufacturers (Crucible for CPM 20CV, Bohler for M390) using almost the same chromium-vanadium formula. In practice, they can be treated as interchangeable.
What hardness does CPM 20CV reach?
Most knives run in the 60-62 Rc range. See the heat treat details further down this page for the full recipe, including the demanding 2140 F austenitizing temperature this steel requires.
Is CPM 20CV hard to sharpen?
Yes, it is one of the more demanding steels in this database to sharpen. Standard aluminum oxide or ceramic stones struggle to cut its carbides efficiently; diamond stones are strongly recommended. See the full grinding and sharpening guide for belt and abrasive recommendations.
Does CPM 20CV rust?
No, it has excellent, top-tier stainless corrosion resistance thanks to roughly 20% chromium content, well suited to wet, humid, or marine environments.
How does CPM 20CV compare to MagnaCut, Elmax, or CPM S30V?
CPM 20CV trades some toughness for slightly better edge retention against MagnaCut, is less forgiving to grind than Elmax, and offers better corrosion resistance than CPM S30V at essentially tied edge retention. See the full breakdowns: MagnaCut vs CPM 20CV, CPM 20CV vs Elmax, and CPM 20CV vs CPM S30V.
Also known as: CPM 20CV, 20CV
Composition
| Carbon (C) | 1.90% |
| Chromium (Cr) | 20.00% |
| Vanadium (V) | 4.00% |
| Molybdenum (Mo) | 1.00% |
| Tungsten (W) | 0.60% |
Properties
| Property | Rating | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Toughness | ★★☆☆☆ | The tradeoff for its extreme wear resistance: hardened to 60+ Rc with a heavy carbide load, it is more prone to micro-chipping than tougher steels like CPM 3V or CruWear. |
| Edge Retention | ★★★★★ | Exceptional wear resistance from a very heavy chromium and vanadium carbide load, among the best edge retention available in a knife steel. |
| Corrosion Resistance | ★★★★★ | 20% chromium gives it excellent, top-tier stainless performance, a strong choice for wet, humid, or marine environments. |
| Machinability / Grinding | ★★☆☆☆ | Demanding to grind and sharpen; typically requires diamond or CBN abrasives to sharpen efficiently once fully hardened, more challenging than most other steels in this database. |
Heat Treatment
A validated recipe from independent toughness testing: austenitize at 2140 F, plate quench, apply a cryogenic treatment, then temper at 365 F. Most knifemakers target the 60-62 Rc range. Because this steel demands precise, high-temperature equipment and a controlled quench, it is best suited to makers with a programmable oven or a professional heat-treating service.
Best Uses
A top pick for premium EDC folders and outdoor knives where long edge retention and strong corrosion resistance both matter, functionally interchangeable with M390. Browse more entries in the Knife Steel Database, and see the Heat Treating Guide for the full stage-by-stage process.
Sources: Crucible Industries CPM 20CV datasheet; Larrin Thomas, M390 vs 20CV vs 204P: 3rd Generation Powder Metallurgy Technology, Knife Steel Nerds.