M390 steel composition. 5% vanadium carbides) delivers exceptional edge retention that surpasses many competing steels. The steel saw little use in knives until Latrobe steel copied M390 and sold it as 20CV, which then became popular with several production knife companies. This steel features a unique design that aims to reduce the Chromium in its composition, in order to dissolve the available chromium carbides during heat treatment. Apr 6, 2023 · M390 steel is a high-performance, high wear and tear resistance steel. Dec 6, 2025 · Is M390 the best knife steel? Discover its composition, performance, pros & cons, and how it stacks up vs. . Apr 27, 2019 · M390 Properties Hardness Bohler specifications of the M390 stainless steel specifies that this steel hardens and tempers to a Rockwell hardness of 60-62HRC. As shown the composition of M390 steel includes a lot of materials, which demonstrate the power of an M390 steel knife, it guarantees toughness, resistance and strength, it will be a great choice for hunting, camping or any outdoor usage. Explained: M390 Shimano Standards, Composition, and Industrial Use Uses of M390 Steel in Knives and Industrial Tools M390 steel—often mistakenly referred to as "M390 Shimano" (Shimano being a separate company unrelated to tool steels)—is a premium-grade, high-performance powder metallurgy stainless steel developed by Bohler-Uddeholm. Böhler M390 is one of the most popular types of steel at the moment. Feb 17, 2026 · Check out our essential guide to knife steel as we discuss the most popular steels and the key factors to consider in choosing the best steel for your knife. You do not have to worry about the surface of your M390 knife getting destroyed or chipped away easily. Mar 28, 2025 · It’s packed with high levels of chromium (20%), vanadium (4%), and carbon (1. M390’s approximately 22% carbide volume (18% chromium carbides + 2. Oct 19, 2021 · Steel Metallurgist Larrin Thomas uses tests of knife steels to rate the steels and explains the factors that control performance. Known for its exceptional edge retention, corrosion Thanks to its superior composition—rich in chromium, molybdenum, vanadium, and tungsten—M390 maintains a razor-sharp edge even after prolonged use and harsh conditions. Jul 17, 2025 · CPM MagnaCut steel is the idea of Larrin Thomas, a renowned steel author but produced by Crucible Industries in 2021. Mar 30, 2020 · The composition of the steel has a much greater affect on carbide size than the powder metallurgy manufacturing technology. This composition delivers outstanding corrosion resistance, edge retention, and wear resistance—qualities that define a super steel. Discover M390 steel's properties as a knife material in this article. 9%), giving it a unique edge over other steels. May 13, 2025 · Here, we will explain what M390 Steel is in detail by talking about its composition, properties, equivalent, price, applications, and differences with Magnacut steel! BÖHLER M390 MICROCLEAN is a corrosion-resistant, martensitic chromium steel produced by powder metallurgy. M390 steel is a high-alloy martensitic stainless steel characterized by a complex composition that includes significant amounts of carbon, chromium, vanadium, molybdenum, and tungsten. Due to its alloy design, this steel has very high wear resistance and good corrosion resistance. 20CV, MagnaCut, Elmax & more. 3 hours ago · The component is made of 440C stainless steel, vacuum-hardened to 56–58 HRC. As a result, manufacturers have incorporated this high-performance steel into various folding knife designs tailored for everyday carry, tactical operations, survival scenarios, and multi-functional utility. The primary alloying elements in M390 include chromium (Cr), molybdenum (Mo), vanadium (V), and carbon (C), each contributing significantly to its overall characteristics. This is a considerably high hardness level and provides a perfect balance between toughness, wear resistance, and great edge retention. The vacuum hardening process guarantees a uniform steel structure, excellent dimensional stability, and increased wear resistance. May 17, 2025 · It is classified as a powder metallurgy steel, which allows for a fine microstructure and enhanced properties. But why? Knivesandtools explains! Its toughness significantly exceeds that of S35VN, 20CV, M390, CPM-154, and similar PM stainless steels, owing to a finer carbide structure consisting primarily of small vanadium and niobium carbides, with no chromium carbides when properly heat treated. Jun 1, 2020 · Summary M390 was developed by Bohler in the late 1980s as a modification to K190, which in turn was a powder metallurgy version of D7 tool steel. The oxygen content was confirmed to be reduced in Bohler-Uddeholm steels relative to Crucible and Carpenter, but a resulting reduction in toughness was not seen in testing. Thanks to this, the pivot offers long-lasting durability and retains its properties even under intensive use. enoufeix iazwg gni zzn oukkh nrxumi uqvbx djylc xdjo zshc