Of the utmost importance when selecting a knife is its steel among other things. Two popular steels are 7Cr17Mov and CPM-20-CV. So in this article, we will take a close look at each steel, what their best uses are, how they compare, and which is better for what applications.
Here is the short answer:
7Cr17MoV is an entry-level stainless steel with decent corrosion resistance and edge retention. CPM-20CV is a premium steel with exceptional edge retention, toughness, and corrosion resistance.
Now that we have looked at the short answer, we can look closer at each steel like their best uses, their composition, and how they compare in-depth.
Deep dive on 7Cr17MoV
7Cr17MoV is a popular Chinese stainless steel commonly used in manufacturing low to mid-range knives. This steel’s composition includes:
– Carbon (C): 0.70%
– Chromium (Cr): 17.00%
– Molybdenum (Mo): 0.20%
– Vanadium (V): 0.10%
– Manganese (Mn): 1.00%
– Silicon (Si): 1.00%
7Cr17MoV steel has a Rockwell hardness of 55-57 HRC. Its high chromium content provides decent corrosion resistance and makes it suitable for use in humid environments. However, its relatively low carbon content makes it susceptible to losing its edge rather quickly, however, chipping or brittleness would not be an issue.
Deep dive on CPM-20CV
CPM-20CV is regarded as a premium steel and is known for its exceptional edge retention, toughness, and corrosion resistance. This steel was developed by Crucible Industries, a renowned company in the knife industry, and, thus has the Crucible Particle metallurgy process done to it to refine grain steels and have an overall more consistent steel. The steel’s composition includes:
– Carbon (C): 1.90%
– Chromium (Cr): 20.00%
– Molybdenum (Mo): 1.00%
– Vanadium (V): 4.00%
– Tungsten (W): 1.30%
CPM-20CV steel has a Rockwell hardness of 58-62 HRC, making it one of the harder and durable steels on the market. Its high carbon and chromium content provides exceptional edge retention, while the added vanadium and tungsten make it exceptionally tough and wear-resistant, ideal for heavy-duty cutting tasks. The downside ot this steel is that it has a lot down to it and it therefore more expensive to buy.
7Cr17MoV versus CPM-20CV
7Cr17MoV steel is adequate for low to mid-range knives, budget-oriented knives, or EDC knives and is not ideal for heavy duty tasks or bush crafting as the steel will lose its edge rather quickly. In contrast, CPM-20CV steel is exceptionally tough, resistant to wear, corrosion, and abrasion, making it the ideal choice for premium knives that will excel at heavy-duty tasks.
CPM-20CV’s higher carbon content and high toughness make it more challenging to sharpen than 7Cr17MoV, which is relatively easy to sharpen. This is due to the fact that when a steel holds an edge longer it is harder to get that edge back.
Lastly is price. 7Cr17Mov is a much more budget-friendly steel but this is at the sacrifice of quality of knife steel. CPM-20CV is a better overall steel but comes at the sacrifice of cost.
Overall, CPM-20CV is the better steel in terms of performance and durability, making it the ideal choice for premium and high-end knives that will undertake heavy-duty tasks. 7Cr17MoV is adequate for budget-oriented knives or small EDC knives that won’t experience heavy use.
Best knives in each steel
Now that we have looked at each steel and how they compare in-depth, we can look at what we have found to be the best knives in each steel.
Zero Tolerance 0308 – CPM-20CV
Zero Tolerance is made by the same parent company that makes Kershaw knives, so you might see some similarities there if you’re familiar with Kershaw. The 0308 has a G10 handle scale with a titanium back, 20CV steel, a reversible pocket clip, a flipper for opening, and a ball-bearing pivot that makes for smooth opening.
Check it out here (link to Amazon).
Spyderco WATU – CPM-20CV
Similar to a lot of Spyderco’s knives, the WATU is a consistent workhorse of a knife. It’s not terribly flashy, but it gets the job done. It has Spyderco’s signature thumbhole for opening, a carbon fiber handle, 20CV steel, and Spyderco’s smooth compression lock.
Gerber EXO-MOD Drop Point (7cr17MoV)
Check it out here (link to Amazon).
The Gerber EXO-MOD Drop Point is a small, lightweight, fixed-blade, hunting knife that is very versatile. This knife has an orange handle skeletonized, a 3.75-inch 7Cr17MoV blade, an overall length of 8.5 inches, and weighs only 2.6 ounces. If you want an affordable lightweight hunting knife, this might be the knife for you.