CPM S30V Steel

The r/BuyItForLife community broadly regards S30V as a proven, high-quality knife steel that offers an excellent balance of hardness, edge retention, and corrosion resistance at a relatively accessible price point. It is frequently cited as a go-to recommendation for EDC pocket knives, particularly in Benchmade and Spyderco offerings. While newer steels like M390, 20CV, Magnacut, and S45VN have emerged as competitors, S30V remains widely respected and is still considered a strong choice for long-term use.

S30V is a time-tested, widely available premium steel that delivers excellent edge retention, corrosion resistance, and durability for EDC knives, making it a dependable long-term choice despite newer steels edging it out on specific metrics.

Community members consistently praise S30V for its durability, strong edge retention, and solid corrosion resistance, making it a reliable choice for everyday carry knives. It is seen as a well-balanced 'super steel' that performs excellently across a wide range of tasks without demanding constant sharpening.

• Excellent edge retention — holds a sharp edge for a long time
• Good corrosion resistance compared to budget stainless steels
• Well-balanced hardness and toughness for EDC use
• Widely available in quality production knives from top brands
• Considered a historically significant and proven steel formulation
• Good chemical resistance noted by users in demanding environments

The main criticisms center on S30V being difficult to sharpen due to its hardness, and that newer steels like M390, 20CV, Magnacut, and S45VN now offer comparable or better performance. Some users find its toughness limiting for larger fixed blades.

• Harder to sharpen than budget steels like 154CM or 420HC
• Newer steels like M390, Magnacut, and S45VN seen as upgrades
• Not ideal for large fixed blades where toughness is paramount
• Some CRK early S30V and S35VN models noted for poor heat treat
• One user found resharpening hassle outweighed edge retention benefits

S30V and S35VN offer a strong balance of hardness, toughness, and edge retention — S35VN is essentially the same steel but refined to be easier to sharpen.

The steel is remarkably hard and holds an edge for a very long time, but when it does finally need sharpening, it takes noticeably more effort than softer steels.

Collaborating with Chris Reeve Knives to develop S30V was a landmark moment for the knife industry, pushing the field well beyond generic 440C and tool steels.

For a BIFL knife, S30V and M390 are top steel recommendations — just be sure to budget for a quality sharpener, as these steels aren't forgiving with cheap equipment.