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CPM S90V vs CPM S110V Knife Steel Comparison

Comparing CPM-S90V vs. CPM-S110V: Which Premium Stainless Steel Suits You Best?

When it comes to top-tier knife steels, CPM-S90V and CPM-S110V from Crucible Industries are often at the pinnacle of the conversation. Both steels boast impressive edge retention, corrosion resistance, and overall durability. Yet, subtle compositional differences affect how these steels perform in real-world cutting chores—and which might best fit your needs. In this detailed guide, we’ll compare their compositions, hardness ranges, heat treatment nuances, and ideal uses to help you decide which steel deserves a spot in your collection or everyday carry rotation.

Introduction
CPM-S90V: Composition, Hardness, and Key Characteristics
CPM-S110V: Composition, Hardness, and Key Characteristics
Typical Hardness (Rockwell C) Ranges & Practical Implications
Detailed Alloy Element Effects
Heat Treatment Nuances and Forging Considerations
Patina Formation and Protective Coatings
Side-by-Side Comparison: CPM-S90V vs. CPM-S110V
Ideal Uses of These Steels
Pros and Cons
Cost, Availability, and Maintenance
Summary & Recommendations

1. Introduction

CPM-S90V and CPM-S110V are premier stainless steels produced via Crucible Industries’ Particle Metallurgy (CPM) process. Their high alloy content and finely distributed carbides yield outstanding wear resistance, edge retention, and strong corrosion resistance. Although they have plenty in common, certain key distinctions—such as niobium content in S110V and minor differences in vanadium and cobalt—can tilt your decision one way or another. By the end of this comparison, you’ll have a crystal-clear picture of which steel is better suited to your cutting tasks and personal preferences.

2. CPM-S90V: Composition, Hardness, and Key Characteristics

Approximate composition of CPM-S90V:

Carbon (C): ~2.3%
Chromium (Cr): ~14%
Molybdenum (Mo): ~1%
Vanadium (V): ~9%

Key Performance Overview

Corrosion Resistance: Very good. S90V’s 14% chromium makes it suitable for EDC and outdoor use.
Toughness: Fair to moderate. Not the toughest steel out there, but adequate for normal cutting tasks.
Edge Retention: Excellent. It is often praised for very long-lasting sharpness under continuous use.
Ease of Sharpening: Challenging. High vanadium content translates to formidable wear resistance—which also makes it slower to sharpen without high-quality or diamond abrasives.

Why Choose CPM-S90V?

You prioritize a razor-sharp edge that stays sharp through extended cutting sessions (e.g., hunting/skinning, cardboard breakdown, or fine slicing tasks).
You’re willing to invest in premium abrasives to overcome the toughness of its carbides during sharpening.

3. CPM-S110V: Composition, Hardness, and Key Characteristics

Approximate composition of CPM-S110V:

Carbon (C): ~2.8–2.9%
Chromium (Cr): ~15.25%
Cobalt (Co): ~2.5%
Molybdenum (Mo): ~2.25%
Niobium (Nb): ~3%
Vanadium (V): ~9.0–9.1%

Key Performance Overview

Corrosion Resistance: Excellent. The increased chromium content plus niobium and cobalt make it exceptionally rust-resistant—even in harsh or humid conditions.
Toughness: Fair. Similar to S90V, it’s designed for wear resistance, so it does not excel at heavy prying or impact tasks.
Edge Retention: Excellent to outstanding. Many users find that S110V can match or exceed S90V in wear resistance, although the difference can be small in real-world use.
Ease of Sharpening: Challenging. Despite some anecdotal claims, its high carbide volume (including niobium carbides) often means it’s at least as difficult to sharpen as S90V—if not slightly more, depending on technique and abrasives.

Why Choose CPM-S110V?

You need top-tier corrosion resistance (e.g., marine or very humid environments).
You want extremely high wear resistance, along with a steel that thrives on fine edges and can maintain them for a long time.

4. Typical Hardness (Rockwell C) Ranges & Practical Implications

Both CPM-S90V and CPM-S110V typically aim for 59–62 HRC, with many makers targeting around 60–61 HRC.

At these levels, you get an ideal blend of hardness, corrosion resistance, and reasonable toughness.
Dropping hardness to ~58–59 HRC can boost toughness slightly, though it reduces edge retention.
Pushing hardness above ~62 HRC elevates brittleness, risking chipping under hard use.

5. Detailed Alloy Element Effects

Carbon (C): Strengthens the steel, boosting hardness and wear resistance. Both S90V and S110V are high carbon steels.
Chromium (Cr): Primarily responsible for corrosion resistance. S110V’s ~15.25% chromium generally outperforms S90V’s ~14%.
Vanadium (V): Forms vanadium carbides that greatly improve wear resistance. Both steels carry high vanadium content.
Molybdenum (Mo): Assists in hardenability and corrosion resistance.
Cobalt (Co): In S110V, refines the microstructure and can aid in achieving higher hardness.
Niobium (Nb): A hallmark of S110V that forms extremely hard niobium carbides and promotes fine grain size, enhancing wear resistance and edge stability.

6. Heat Treatment Nuances and Forging Considerations

Normalizing/Pre-Heat: Due to high carbide volume, controlling pre-heat is critical to reduce risk of warping or cracking.
Quenching: Typically uses oil, air, or salt baths; specialized for high-alloy stainless steels.
Tempering: Balances the final hardness and toughness.
Forging: Both S90V and S110V are difficult to forge by hand because of their extreme wear resistance and carbide content, so most makers prefer stock-removal methods. Forging, if done, requires specialized equipment and expertise.

7. Patina Formation and Protective Coatings

Because of their high chromium content, neither S90V nor S110V is prone to forming a patina like non-stainless tool steels (e.g., 1095 or O1).

Patina Formation: Minimal to non-existent unless severely neglected.
Protective Coatings: Typically not required for corrosion resistance but might be used for aesthetics or to reduce glare/visible wear (e.g., DLC coatings).

8. Side-by-Side Comparison: CPM-S90V vs. CPM-S110V

Property	CPM-S90V	CPM-S110V
Corrosion Resistance	Very Good	Excellent
Toughness	Fair	Fair
Edge Retention	Excellent	Excellent to Outstanding
Ease of Sharpening	Difficult	Difficult (often equal or slightly more)

Corrosion Susceptibility: S110V leads with its higher chromium content and niobium.
Edge Retention: Both are near the top of the stainless-steel world. Some users report S110V lasting longer, though the difference can be subtle.
Wear Resistance & Chipping Risk: Both contain significant hard carbides. Chipping is possible if used improperly (e.g., prying).
Ease of Sharpening: Neither is “easy.” S110V’s additional carbides can make it slightly tougher on abrasives.

Real-World Scenarios

Bushcraft: Both can handle standard bushcraft tasks but may be overkill for heavy impact like batoning.
EDC (Everyday Carry): Fantastic for typical cutting chores—a small blade in these steels can go months between sharpenings under moderate use.
Kitchen Use: Superb for slicing and resisting rust in wet environments, though contact with bones or frozen foods can risk micro-chipping.
Survival/Tactical: Excellent at holding a keen edge; use caution when subjecting the edge to severe impact or torsion.
Marine/Humid Environments: S110V shines here with class-leading corrosion resistance.

9. Ideal Uses of These Steels

Extreme Edge Longevity: Both are stellar if you desire minimal sharpening intervals; S110V may keep an edge slightly longer in some scenarios.
Corrosion Resistance Focus: S110V excels if you regularly face saltwater or humidity.
Enthusiasts & Collectors: Both steels are revered in the knife community for their advanced metallurgy and performance.

10. Pros and Cons

CPM-S90V

Pros
- Outstanding edge retention among stainless steels.
- Very good corrosion resistance.
- Highly regarded “super steel” status.
Cons
- Challenging to sharpen—diamond stones or advanced sharpeners often needed.
- Only fair toughness.
- Typically priced at the premium end.

CPM-S110V

Pros
- Exceptional corrosion resistance—arguably superior to S90V.
- Excellent to outstanding edge retention.
- Highly desirable for marine or high-moisture environments.
Cons
- Sharpening difficulty remains high—prone to slow removal rates due to hard carbides.
- Similar or slightly lower toughness compared to S90V.
- Premium cost and, at times, sporadic availability.

11. Cost, Availability, and Maintenance

Cost: Both steels are high-end. The extra alloying elements (niobium, cobalt) in S110V can bump its price even more.
Availability: S90V has been on the market slightly longer, so it may be easier to find. S110V is often in limited-run or flagship models.
Maintenance: Regular cleaning and drying is typically enough to stave off corrosion. Specialized sharpening tools (diamond or ceramic abrasives) are a must given the high wear resistance.

12. Summary & Recommendations

CPM-S90V and CPM-S110V represent two of the most advanced stainless steels offered via Crucible’s Particle Metallurgy process. Both provide a similar balance of high hardness, excellent edge retention, and good-to-excellent corrosion resistance. Subtle factors that can guide your decision include:

Edge Retention Priorities:
- Both are exceptional. Real-world differences often come down to geometry and heat treatment. S110V can sometimes edge out S90V in wear resistance, though S90V is also top-shelf.
Corrosion Resistance Needs:
- S110V typically has a slight advantage under extreme conditions (marine, high humidity).
Sharpening Considerations:
- Both steels demand premium sharpening equipment. S110V can be as hard—or harder—to sharpen than S90V due to increased carbide content (including niobium).
Usage Profile:
- If you favor a steel that has been widely adopted (and is slightly easier to find replacements or reference data for), S90V could be your choice. If your top concern is maximum corrosion resistance plus excellent edge-holding, S110V stands out.

Final Thoughts
Whichever you choose, you’ll be getting an elite steel that embodies the best of modern metallurgy. While the premium cost and added sharpening complexity may be a hurdle for some, the reward is extraordinary performance, longevity, and collectibility. For enthusiasts and professionals who push their blades to the limit, these steels deliver.

SEO Optimization & Key Takeaways

“CPM-S90V vs. CPM-S110V” is a frequent query among knife enthusiasts—both are premium stainless steels with excellent edge retention and wear resistance.
The main differences lie in corrosion resistance (S110V excels) and slight variations in composition, which influence sharpenability and availability.
Heat treatment and blade geometry can significantly impact real-world performance, sometimes more than small compositional differences.
Investing in premium sharpening tools (diamond stones, ceramic rods, guided systems) is strongly advised for either steel.

Pro Tip: If you’re uncertain which to pick, consider where you’ll use your knife most. For damp and salty conditions, S110V might be best. If you want to stick with a slightly more common “super steel” known for legendary edge-holding, go for S90V. Either way, you’ll experience top-shelf performance from Crucible’s advanced CPM lineup.