M390 and S90V are two very popular steels in the same category and often compete with each other. Because these steels compete with each other it would make sense to compare the two to see which one is better. So in this article, we will compare the two steels and see which one is better and why.
Here is the short answer:
S90V, when compared to M390, is going to have better edge retention and wear resistance. However, M390 is a tougher, harder, and more corrosion resistant steel. Overall, either steel will perform great, but if you were to choose one, then M390 would be the better choice.
With the short answer out of the way, we can look at each steel individually, which steel is better in which situations, what are the best knives in each steel, and what steel is best overall.
S90V
S90V is a premium steel that is best known for its edge retentive qualities. S90V is best for tasks that include a lot of cutting and slicing but not chopping. S90V is mostly used in EDC knives and hunting knives because it is good at slicing.
The biggest downside is that it is not very tough. S90V is a steel that is likely to not hold up to heavy-duty knife tasks like batoning.
The biggest upside to S90V is that it has great edge retention. Its edge retention is so good that it is among one of the most edge retentive steels out there.
Here is what S90V is made of:
- 1.45% carbon
- 14% chromium
- 2% molybdenum
- 4% vanadium
Each of these components in the steel does different things and will lead to different outcomes in the steel.
The carbon helps increase blade strength (but too much carbon will lead to your blade chipping), chromium gives the blade corrosion resistance and better edge retention, the molybdenum makes knives easier to harden (it makes the knife easier to heat treat and thus to manufacture), and the vanadium also helps with edge retention.
M390
M390 is a premium quality steel that is considered to be a very good steel in almost all regards. M390 has great edge retention, good corrosion resistance, good wear resistance, and good toughness. Overall, M390 is a good steel.
The biggest upside to M390 is that it has great edge retention. Its edge retention is so good that it is on par with other steels with great edge retention like S90V or S110V, which are steels that are known for their edge retention.
The biggest downside to M390 is that it is very difficult to sharpen. While M390 might have great edge retention so it will take a while before it will go dull when it does come time to sharpen it will take a lot of work.
Here is what M390 is made of:
- 1.9% of Carbon
- 0.7% of Silicon
- 0.3% of Manganese
- 20% of Chromium
- 1% of Molybdenum
- 0.6% of Tungsten
- 4% of Vanadium
Tungsten and magnesium, similar to vanadium, reduce grain size of the steel, which improves wear resistance and strength. Manganese helps to increase hardness and blade strength, similar to carbon.
Which steel is better?
Since we know the best qualities of each steel and what they are made of we can look at which one is better and why.
If you need a knife steel that is good for slicing, stays sharp for a long time, and will not be used for tasks like chopping and batoning, you may want to look at S90V. While S90V does not have the toughness of M390, it does have better edge retention and wear resistance making it better for slicing.
If you are looking for a steel that is good at almost all tasks you will want M390. M390 has better toughness, hardness, and corrosion resistance when compared to S90V so it will be better for a wider array of tasks.
If you need a steel for heavy-duty tasks like chopping and batoning then you will want M390. Unlike S90V, M390 is a very tough steel that is great for tough tasks such as chopping or batoning.
Our favorite knives in each steel
It can be difficult to choose the right knife in either steel, so to make that process easier, here are our favorite knives in S90V and M390.
Benchmade Hidden Canyon Hunter – S90V
The Hidden Canyon Hunter is a full-tang fixed-blade knife that is lightweight yet durable. The Hidden Canyon Hunter is a lightweight small fixed blade knife that is great for hunting and camping. It weighs a mere 2 ounces so it is sure not to weigh you down.
Check out this knife here (link to Amazon)
Benchmade Osborne – S90V
The Benchmade Osborne is an EDC (EverDay Carry) knife that is slim and lightweight. The Osborne has a 3.4-inch reverse tanto blade that is sharp and durable. It’s a great option for anyone looking for a new EDC knife.
Check out this knife here (link to Amazon)
Spyderco Ethnic series Pattadese – M390
The Spyderco Pattadese is an EDC knife that has an interlocking design and a thumbhole for opening. The thumbhole in the knife minimizes the chances of snagging your knife when you draw it and the interlock design makes it easy to close the knife with one hand. Spyderco’s knives are known for being workhorses (especially when they have a strong steel like M390!), so if that’s what you’re looking for, this is a great option.
Check out this knife here (link to Amazon)
Conclusion
S90V and M390 are two steels that both have different purposes and are best used for different tasks. If you want a steel that is great for slicing, then you will want to go with S90V. If you want a good all-around steel or a steel that is very tough you will want to go with M390.
Overall, if you were to pick one steel you would most likely want to choose M390 as it can be used for a wider array of tasks and will have relatively the same edge retention as S90V.