Top 5 Premium Steels

This is a very subjective list but nonetheless here we go, these are T.C.'s top 5 premium blade steels... what are yours? Let us know in the comments down below!
Elmax
www.smkw.com/knives?blade_mat...
CPM 3V
www.smkw.com/knives?blade_mat...
CPM Magnacut
www.smkw.com/knives?blade_mat...
M390
www.smkw.com/knives?blade_mat...
CPM 20CV
www.smkw.com/knives?blade_mat...
CPM S35VN
www.smkw.com/knives?blade_mat...
CPM S45VN
www.smkw.com/knives?blade_mat...
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[@Molonlabe07]

20cv, M390, and cts 204p are essentially the same steel, just different manufacturers.

[@arrowheadguys7637]

Yeah, they occupy the same spot, using 2 of them in a top 5 list is wasting a spot.

[@Molonlabe07]

@@arrowheadguys7637 100

[@SMKWcom]

Thanks for watching!

[@-echoroads-5596]

Perhaps not all "super steels", but my current favorites are: K390, m390/20cv/204p, CTS-XHP, Vanax, s45vn. Honorable mention for CruWear and Elmax.

[@SMKWcom]

All are excellent choices!

[@mmiller73]

I place a lot of emphasis on toughness. Here’s my list: 1. CruWear 2. MagnaCut 3. 3V 4. M4 5. Elmax

[@SMKWcom]

Great list!

[@matthewkuhl79]

Replacing M4 with VANAX (and a slightly different order) is my list

[@ghostmaloneedc4254]

Personal opinion my 5 favorite steels are S45VN because I have very good experience with it from multiple manufacturers, and Nitro V, that Nitro V is freakin tough and stays sharp for quite awhile. S90V, S35VN and S30V are also great.

[@optimuscrime608]

The fact civivi uses nitro v on $40 blades is awesome

[@ghostmaloneedc4254]

@@optimuscrime608 didn’t even know that. I’ve never owned or used a civivi or We, I’ve seen some designs from them I like, I just have had others I’ve purchased. My Bradford came in Nitro V I got for Christmas. Am very happy with the performance so far.

[@SMKWcom]

Great list Ghost!

[@wizardofahhhs759]

I'm very impressed with CPM S45VN, I've cut all kinds of stuff at work working in the dirt installing irrigation, opening fertilizer bags, pruning bushes and cutting sand covered straps and hasn't had to sharpen it yet, a couple of swipes on the strop and it's back to shaving hair.

[@sircassie891]

Still need to try out some other steels, but man I love s35vn and s45vn.

[@SMKWcom]

🙌🙌🙌

[@floritobentillo1864]

I have a Kershaw Thistle, my bestman uses it to cut a wire that is used to tie decorations in my wedding day, it's about more than 6yo now

[@SMKWcom]

Nice! Glade the Thistle came in clutch at your wedding

[@connormartin1519]

I love me some m4 and s45vn!

[@SMKWcom]

💯

[@kjgas6945]

Thank you for the video TC

[@SMKWcom]

Thanks KJ!

[@mikecurtis2585]

Great list a lot of great steels!!

[@SMKWcom]

Thanks Mike!

[@PoetFisherman]

For me it's: 1) Vanax 2) LC200N 3) CPM-20CV / M390 ( I can't tell the difference, and they're chemically nearly identical) 4) CPM-S45VN 5) Elmax

[@jonesyxxiv]

No Magnacut?

[@PoetFisherman]

@@jonesyxxiv I don't have enough experience with it yet. Only have one sample and haven't had to sharpen it so far. Solid edge retention though.

[@barkingspider2007]

My top 5: 1. K390, the edge is wear-resistant, easy to sharpen \ deburr, "has bite", Low-cost high performance 2. Magnacut for stainless, best stainless if Rockwell 62- 64 3. SPY 27, stainless and strops back to razor edge easily 4. 15v (better than K390) has higher costs and is hard to get. 5. 20CV - Stainless, generally holds an edge better than M390. Thanks for the video! 😎👍

[@SMKWcom]

Good all around list 👍

[@arisham00]

My list :- 1. M390/M398 - Have multiple machete, knives on this love it's toughness and edge retention 2. Vanax - have a machete but will buy SMKW Vincent's soon 3. Elmax 4. Vanadis 8...N690.. 5. S45VN...CruWear Yeah it's debatable topics..between toughness..edge retention..stainless and sharpen it..and of course price 😋

[@SMKWcom]

Nice list!

[@kenhun6205]

Always enjoy your videos, lots of great info. I agree mostly with your list but would put S45V in place of 3V

[@SMKWcom]

S45V is awesome as well

[@deplorable113]

Great list!

[@SMKWcom]

Thanks 113!

[@jocemarine6247]

Over all, I love S45 VN. For à fix blade, surprise😮Over all and on the field, I love 5160. A tank

[@seanlowkey9388]

Boy! He’s throwing out some bangers! I too was not on the 3v hype, but man when i used it i fell in love.

[@SMKWcom]

Thanks for watching!

[@skimz2012]

My full time work knife is a Ray liconico 20cv titanium frame lock and it's a beast. however my next best would be my Spyderco manix in M390. I've found s90v very hard to sharpen and although I feel like I can get it the sharpest out of all my blade steels it's not as easy to hold a hair popping edge on. Good list and good thoughts thank you.

[@SMKWcom]

Thanks for watching!

[@timb8970]

Isn’t 20cv the same or very similar to m390? I’m no metal expert, but pretty sure they’re very similar. Your choices are solid.

[@mattdagger1480]

Love you put cpm 3v in this! I use to not know about it until a few months ago I got my Demko 20.5 in cpm3v. Honestly I like3v more so vs m390 or 20cv. 3v is super underrated in my opinion

[@SMKWcom]

CPM3V is awesome!

[@ravingbadger]

in love with magnacut right now, got a gso5.1 soon and a bradford guardian 3 atm

[@SMKWcom]

Great choices!

[@whammofammo7346]

Great list TC, I've had mixed results with M390 mostly because they get the heat treat wrong ( I prefer 20CV or 204p over M390). My top 5 soould be- RWL-34, Nitro-V, K390, 20CV and Magnacut.

[@SMKWcom]

Thanks for watching WH and great list 👍

[@christianmcbride9905]

Them three steels you mentioned are all essentially the exact same thing.

[@adamhannon6976]

I just got a manix 2 in 15v so far is absolutely amazing time will tell how it compares but it certainly seems like it’s a great choice

[@SMKWcom]

We really dig 15V 👍

[@JackG79]

I have an M390 manix 2. Probably my favorite knife in my collection!!!

[@Mr..Heisenberg]

made me happy seeing 3v in the top 5! got the copper snake and mars valley. the site has been teasing me today it says the lava flow is in stock in the elmax but its not really in stock ;( i want it bad haha

[@SMKWcom]

Thanks for the pick ups and we will check with the web team and see what is going on with Mars 👍

[@Hoosierdaddyjones812]

I just ordered a spy27 I think, I love m390 for sure.

[@SMKWcom]

Let us know what you think on the SPY27 and we dig M390 👍

[@REAPER-1xxx]

CPM Cruwear, CPM D2, CPM M4 are my most desirable steels. CPM 15v, CPM Magnacut are notable. Magnacut is the only stainless that isn’t chipping out on me that holds a good fine edge that strops back well I’ve experienced. 15v is the only crazy working edge retaining steel I’ve experienced that I enjoyed reprofiling and strops back well. I’ve got way too many chipped out S30v blades. This is what I’ll avoid most now.

[@SMKWcom]

Dr. Larrin developed MagnaCut with knives in mind and no secondary purpose. This is when he stopped by the studio kzbin.info/www/bejne/pqm2hX2XqLd8oqc

[@garyvanleeuwen-bc1hg]

Magnacut, S45VN, S35VN, Nitro V. I think CRUwear is a good steel but I have not personally had a knife with the steel

[@SMKWcom]

All great steels!

[@cemetarygates2800]

Great content brother. Appreciate the thoughts.

[@SMKWcom]

Thanks for watching CG!

[@timb4425]

Not a bad list TC. I agree with most of your list. I think I would take out 3V on my list however. I think maybe Vanax may be in my top 5.

[@SMKWcom]

Vanax is a solid choice

[@mattdagger1480]

I think 3v is the most under rated steel right now personally

[@StoneHands25]

Mine are Rex 45, k390, cruwear, XHP and 4v. Great list! Different but same!

[@SMKWcom]

🙌🙌🙌

[@jimmycricket7946]

I agree with you on 4 out of 5 only bc I still haven't tried out cruwear yet. 4V is definitely excellent and very well balanced and I also use alote of s90v and find it sharpens up just fine if you know what you're doing. If you haven't already give maxamet a chance it behaves like no other steel it's truly unique metallurgy with very high tungsten and cobalt. I think spyderco brings maxamet to 69hrc it passes rex45.

[@stevelewis1721]

Any discussion of "best," must first clarify "best for what . . ."

[@SMKWcom]

Anytime someone asks for a knife recommendation our first question back is, "what are you using it for?"

[@JackG79]

AR RPM9 from CJRB has impressed me on an overall basis. It holds up great for a well-priced steel

[@SMKWcom]

We have been very impressed with ARRPM9 since it came out as well

[@kishjohnbaptiste6566]

S 45vn lc200n

[@arrowheadguys7637]

Woof, rough list. Here's mine. Cruwear M4 K390 10V Magnacut for salty work

[@SMKWcom]

All good choices AG

[@tiddybagel]

K390, Cruwear, Magnacut, 15V for me. Not sure about #5

[@loki13012]

Damn car screech made me jump! I was about to look out my window lmao 🤣 8:34

[@SMKWcom]

TC has discovered sound board and wants to share with us all 🤣

[@SunGodLuffy_5]

My top 3 in no particular order: Elmax, Cruwear, and Magnacut

[@SMKWcom]

A good line up!

[@Davidmoore-xy6wu]

I don’t know what people use to sharpen there knives but diamond stones do work on hard tool steel , also m390 is 20 cv it’s just bolher and crucible’s variations My list would go M390/20cv/204p as it’s almost always not heat treated correctly and in testing soft m390 dose only as good as meh s30v 4:3v 3 cruwear 2cpm m4 1 Magnacut (63-64 hrc)

[@SMKWcom]

Good list!

[@steverodgers8035]

I recently cut a pomegranate with my s35vn steel blade and I forgot to wipe it It turned black should I just patina the rest of it ?

[@SMKWcom]

It could look cool with a pomegranate patina

[@larrymackerethjr.3812]

Correct me if I’m wrong because I am certainly no expert. I have seen several videos where people say that 20CV and M390 are basically the same just different manufacturers. Could someone tell me ? And if they are different which is better for an edc pocket knife ?

[@nvalley]

They are the same composition. M390 is made in Europe by bohler-uddeholm 20cv is made in the US by Crucible

[@larrymackerethjr.3812]

@@nvalley Thank you. 👍

[@arrowheadguys7637]

@@larrymackerethjr.3812 CTS-204P is also the same composition as M390 and 20CV. Microtech doesn't even spec which steel they use because it can be any of those 3 depending on availability.

[@julesgardet659]

1095, M4 & 14c28n forever

[@SMKWcom]

Good choices

[@hichamtata4774]

Essaie l'huile d'olive pour la toux 😮‍💨ou le miel 🍯 😉 excellent médicament TC je suis hors sujet 😅

[@SMKWcom]

Excellentes suggestions! Dans l'est du Tennssee, nous ajoutons un peu de miel au MoonShine réchauffé pour préparer également le MountainDew de Grand Ma pour la toux 🤣

[@kunisamuri1]

guess is CPM Cruwear

[@SMKWcom]

thanks for watching

[@dmarcellus]

14:30 for the abbreviated version.

[@nvalley]

TC just a request for some of those generic sheaths in left hand configuration!

[@SMKWcom]

We do love having a ambi option

[@Bman-xy2vh]

Fixed blade gotta go with cpm3v and for a folder cpm m4. I have used a lot of different steels and prefer those to any out there now. Being stainless isn't a priority for me.

[@hichamtata4774]

Hello mon ami américain préféré 🇺🇸🫡 vidéo très intéressante j'ai appris beaucoup sur les aciers en regardant tes vidéos TC 💯 pour ma part j'ai beaucoup de couteaux avec un acier S35VN mes après j'ai un coup de ❤️ pour le M390 mes il est cher et compliqué à aiguiser

[@GIJOSH010]

3V is my favorite. Most underrated steel out there.

[@monkpato]

Two of the steels on the list are identical twins (M390 and 20CV) and a third, Elmax, is in the same family.

[@scottanderson951]

where did you get that Tri-star camo hat?

[@SMKWcom]

www.smkw.com/tristar-green-khaki-cap-green-camo-osfa www.smkw.com/tristar-navy-w-red-whte-patch-hat www.smkw.com/tristar-red-w-navy-whte-patch-hat-osfa

[@joshuamackey2326]

That shirt is bringing the bling as well lol

[@Hectorszenshopedc]

you need more videos explaining blades from your store.. even a practice lab.. I am into your explaining and consideration by application

[@SMKWcom]

Thanks for watching and the suggestions Hector

[@bladedginger2557]

Id definitely go m390, rex45, 20cv, magnacut, vanax

[@SMKWcom]

Very nice lineup

[@codycox2685]

I need the ESEE JG5 liner video fellas. Please make it.

[@SMKWcom]

We put the JG5 thru our will it cut test kzbin.info/www/bejne/gp2XlXuMZauorNU

[@ct2368]

I like m390 and D2 isn't bad at all when it is hard.

[@andrewrambeck5322]

Very curious about n690 cryo

[@jakeganey7032]

N690 is akin to vg-10 and aus-10

[@merlingeikie]

S30v

[@SMKWcom]

Gotta love S30V 👍

[@shortyxmoshpigx5488]

i thought the debate for the ultimate high end steel ended with the introduction of magnacut....... 🤦🏽‍♀️ i stick to my aeb-l/nitro-v fixed blades.

[@SMKWcom]

There will always be a debate no matter what comes out or what is next

[@NDSTRUCTIBLE1]

1. Bohler K890 2. Bohler Vanax SuperClean 3. CPM 3V 4. CPM CruWear 5. Bohler M398

[@SMKWcom]

Great line up!

[@Barney_Greenway]

Elmax, 15V, Rex45, S90V and... Elmax 😇

[@SMKWcom]

Good list

[@dalew515]

How about cru-wear??

[@SMKWcom]

Tc mentions it

[@arrowheadguys7637]

@@SMKWcom but since he didn't put it #1, this list is immediately disqualified from serious knife bro knife steel listing archives.

[@chrisjohnson9542]

Cruwear, 4v, 10v, s35vn, magnacut

[@SMKWcom]

That is a n awesome top 5!

[@seeharvester]

Which is the best for chopping out lines of coke? Not those puny gen z lines, but those big old beef rails from the old days.

[@alphaneuron9045]

Magnacut, Vanax, M398, 15V,

[@patrickobrien9833]

K390 for me !

[@SMKWcom]

🙌🙌🙌

[@DuhYaThink]

Maxamet. Rex45. CpmCruwear.cpmM4. K390 👍🏻

[@SMKWcom]

Nice!

[@saltysmurfyourass]

I have a pd1 mule team thats in my top 5

[@SMKWcom]

Thanks for watching!

[@SuperHank777]

I don’t know much about blade steel still, but I hope s35vn is in it lol 😂

[@SMKWcom]

We love S35VN!

[@thaknobodi]

I think your no.1 blade steel is...S30V, or one of its SxxVN successors. But you may throw a wild ball and hit us with an AEB-L or 1095 for old school charm.

[@SMKWcom]

Never know which way TC will bounce lol

[@briandetrick2688]

loren tomas said d2 was in the top 5 on his video

[@SMKWcom]

Dr Larrin Thomas is awesome and we use knifesteelnerds.com a lot!

[@delaney3722]

M390

[@timb8970]

Surprised it took you so long to get around to CPM 3V.

[@SMKWcom]

It is a long list of awesome blade steels but we are working our way thru it 👍

[@user-qw3hq1dy5f]

Pgk, elmax ,m390, cpm m4, best qpm 53

[@propblast82nd]

Every premium blade steel is nothing more than a slightly different trade off .

[@SMKWcom]

That is true and it can be subjective it is sometimes just about which ones we have experience with as well

[@mikereese15]

So could you hear us all screaming at the screen to stop jerking us around and just say the top steel. 😆

[@SMKWcom]

Nope! TC likes to have fun too much lol

[@tanman7627]

lol I remember when I got into this and spent $2k on knives ...that sit in the safe 😀

[@SMKWcom]

I think we all did that! Don't forget to take them out and oil and clean them on the regular

[@adambecker4661]

How about vanax?

[@SMKWcom]

Vanax is great!

[@AnthonyKuiper]

I'm guessing S35vn your Fav?

[@TACLife]

Any one use terravantium dendritic cobalt knives? Been very interested in that blade steel. I enjoy my nitro v. At the end of the day I lean heavy on my 1095 high carbon. Love it. Not exactly a fancy steel, can't help the one we love lol stay sharp y'all!!

[@SMKWcom]

Taylor Martin @BestDamnEDC has one that TC got to see and was very impressed with!

[@TACLife]

I do love some Taylor Martin! Thanks so much for the reply!

[@jeffhicks8428]

ZDP-189 is by far the best steel that exists in terms of edge retention vs sharpen-ability. No other steel that comes anywhere close to it's edge retention is easier or more of a joy to sharpen. The reason for that is it has ZERO vanadium carbides. Only chromium and vandium enriched chromium carbides. It's got way higher edge retention than anything on this list, but it's actually just as easy to sharpen and takes a better edge than most steels on this list. It's not for bushcraft tho. For the kitchen or EDC tho, it's one of the best overall user steels you will try. It sharpens like it's s35vn but it holds edge like s110v. Nothing else even comes close to that aspect. If you want max edge retention in a steel, that sharpens nicely and easily, this is by far the best steel that exists. And that isn't my opinion, that's a fact. I already explained why. It's the type of carbides. It's a high carbide steel, almost 1/3 is carbide, but those carbides are only chromium, which is the least pain in the ass to deal with in a blade steel. It's also amazing how small hitachi manages to get those carbides. The stuff takes insane edges, thanks to the small carbides but also thanks to it's very high hardness. Sorry but hrc 66 blades can cut so much better than hrc 60 blades. They feel nothing alike in use. If I was bushcrafting tho, I'd want aeb-l or I'd want 3v that's laminated with aeb-l or 4v laminated in lc200n. I'd love to see someone try that for edc too, as an alternative to high end stainless like s90v and s110v. Take some 10v and 15v and laminate it with something like aeb-l or lc200n. Very stainless and tough steels. Then you will have it all. Hard, tough and edge holding at the edge, and super stainless and super tough lamination.

[@SMKWcom]

Thanks for watching and sharing!

[@gaviotransport]

D2

[@gaviotransport]

😂

[@LiftHeavy1]

M390/Rex45/Cruwear/4v/H1

[@SMKWcom]

🔥🔥🔥

[@Spthomas47]

Wood booger approved. And I'm listening.

[@guycalgary7800]

Steel panther !

[@nvalley]

I think the #1 is going to be cpm154 (maybe that's just me)

[@arrowheadguys7637]

Not a premium steel. Its like the best mid-level steel imo

[@5shotsr611]

What? No crew wear!!? 😱

[@SMKWcom]

We actually made him stick to 5 instead of TC math this time 🤣

[@TheMountainwoodsman]

1095 bar none. Best there is.

[@SMKWcom]

When taken care of 1095 is awesome!

[@adbramsay]

Vanax

[@SMKWcom]

Vanax is awesome!

[@ricardoortega1382]

Bohler K890

[@c62west]

1)Great video. 2)EVERYONE wants to see you featherstick with different...KNIFE GRINDS!

[@SMKWcom]

Thanks for watching and great suggestion!

[@SoldMyKidsForKnives]

I am going to guess the number one is Cruwear.

[@Hectorszenshopedc]

big talk, Big Sale. New m398 huh ??? I just want the meteorite knife Blade Ultimate knife lol

[@arrowheadguys7637]

Not a premium steel. Its like the best mid-level steel imo

[@Hectorszenshopedc]

@@arrowheadguys7637 compared to m390 and m398?? wow I like to use PRC Remington slipjoint stockman but it sucks they dull fast with cardboard. 440 Boker is good for house tasks like cutting caulk cartridges. I have m390 MKM Fara Green Micarta with leather magnet sheath (this years knife). it's a Dream come true. it's Wolf Jack's Game now. They are clean and they look like Art.

[@arrowheadguys7637]

@@Hectorszenshopedc LOL my bad, I accidentally replied to the wrong comment. That was supposed to be a reply to someone suggesting CPM-154

[@arrowheadguys7637]

@@Hectorszenshopedc I do like the Jack Wolfs for an in pocket Slip Joint. Got a few of them, but now that they've switched to S90V they're even better.

[@mattrc77]

NITRO V BABY!!!

[@SMKWcom]

Nitro V is awesome!

[@hichamtata4774]

A mon avis personnel je pense🤔 qu'il faut se poser la question oui la nature de l acier est un facteur a prendre en compte mes d'autres facteurs sont a prendre en compte comme le traitement thermique la géométrie de la lame et l'utilisation que l'on souhaite en faire tout est histoire de concession 💵💵

[@SMKWcom]

Ce sont tous d'excellents points, ainsi que pour quoi utilisez-vous la lame ? Au final, c'est comme beaucoup d'autres choses pour lancer les débats

[@billybuttnugget]

vanax

[@Billfish57]

Get ready folks, he's going to be honest, he even said so, the amount of dishonesty will be at an all time low, but that's only if he's going to be honest.

[@andrewjones3218]

I can't wait for Magnacut to become super available and be offered by almost every manufacturer

[@SMKWcom]

That will be awesome!

[@Ryan-qp3uz]

Magnacut>Maxamet>Rex 45=Cruwear>S90V

[@SMKWcom]

Great choices

[@matthewkuhl79]

3V is so freaking tough all its drawbacks are meaningless

[@calebhampton3857]

First

[@SMKWcom]

Missed it by that much

[@user-xf4es7eh9y]

20CV is just Murican M390..... so.... kinda redundant. I think m390/20cv are by far one of the most over rated knife steels around. it's not a balanced steel. it won't hold up to hard use and won't hold up in performance oriented geometries. it's basically a marketing job that noobs love.