CPM S35VN
CPM S35VN is Crucible’s refined follow-up to S30V, developed by swapping some vanadium carbide for niobium carbide. That change makes it noticeably tougher and easier to grind than S30V with essentially no loss in wear resistance, which is why it became one of the most widely used mid-tier premium stainless steels in production and custom knives alike.
CPM S35VN FAQ
What hardness does CPM S35VN reach?
Most knives run at 60 Rc or slightly above. See the heat treat details further down this page for the full recipe.
Is CPM S35VN hard to sharpen?
No, it is noticeably easier to sharpen than its predecessor CPM S30V or steels like CPM 20CV, one of the main design goals when Crucible developed it. See the full grinding and sharpening guide.
Does CPM S35VN rust?
It offers good, dependable stainless corrosion resistance suitable for everyday-carry and outdoor use.
How does CPM S35VN compare to CPM S30V, MagnaCut, or Elmax?
S35VN is tougher and easier to grind than S30V at a small edge-retention cost, trades some toughness for slightly better edge retention against MagnaCut, and is nearly tied with Elmax aside from Elmax’s corrosion-resistance edge. See the full breakdowns: CPM S30V vs CPM S35VN, MagnaCut comparisons, and Elmax vs CPM S35VN.
Also known as: CPM S35VN, S35VN
Composition
| Carbon (C) | 1.40% |
| Chromium (Cr) | 14.00% |
| Vanadium (V) | 3.00% |
| Molybdenum (Mo) | 2.00% |
| Niobium (Nb) | 0.50% |
Properties
| Property | Rating | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Toughness | ★★★★☆ | Noticeably tougher than its predecessor S30V, thanks to niobium carbides replacing some of the vanadium carbide load, one of the better toughness figures among premium powder-metallurgy stainless steels. |
| Edge Retention | ★★★★☆ | Strong, dependable edge retention, slightly below S30V's, but still well ahead of basic stainless steels like 420HC or AEB-L. |
| Corrosion Resistance | ★★★★☆ | Nearly identical to S30V and considered very good for a high-performance stainless, suitable for kitchen, marine, and everyday-carry use. |
| Machinability / Grinding | ★★★☆☆ | Easier to grind than S30V, a deliberate improvement in the alloy design, but still a powder-metallurgy steel that wears belts faster than simple carbon or basic stainless steels. |
Heat Treatment
Preheat at 1550-1600 F, then austenitize around 1900-2025 F for 15-30 minutes. Plate quench, followed by a cryogenic treatment (liquid nitrogen, at least 30 minutes) for best properties. Double temper at 300-400 F for 2 hours per cycle: 300 F favors maximum hardness (60+ Rc), while 400 F trades some hardness for added toughness. This combination gives S35VN’s well-rounded, dependable performance without any single weak point.
Best Uses
A dependable, well-rounded choice for EDC folders, hunting knives, and kitchen knives; often recommended when someone cannot decide between a tougher steel and a harder-wearing one. 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 S35VN datasheet; Larrin Thomas, S35VN Steel: Properties and How to Heat Treat, Knife Steel Nerds.