M390 Steel Guide: Properties, Performance, and Comparison

What Is M390 Steel?

M390 is a premium powder metallurgy stainless steel manufactured by Böhler-Uddeholm of Austria. Known for its exceptional balance of wear resistance, corrosion resistance, and edge retention, M390 has become one of the most sought-after blade steels in the premium knife market.

Its high vanadium and chromium content gives M390 outstanding abrasion resistance while maintaining excellent corrosion resistance — a combination that makes it a top choice for high-end folding knives and everyday carry blades.

M390 Steel Composition

Element	Percentage	Role
Carbon (C)	1.90%	Core hardness and edge retention
Chromium (Cr)	20.00%	Corrosion resistance, hardness
Vanadium (V)	4.00%	Wear resistance, fine grain structure
Molybdenum (Mo)	1.00%	Hardness, toughness at high temperatures
Tungsten (W)	0.60%	Additional wear resistance

Key Performance Characteristics

• Edge Retention: M390 is among the best-performing blade steels for edge retention. The high carbide volume from vanadium and chromium carbides means the edge stays sharp significantly longer than standard stainless steels like 440C or 8Cr13MoV.
• Corrosion Resistance: With 20% chromium, M390 is highly stainless and resists rust and pitting even in humid or marine environments.
• Wear Resistance: The powder metallurgy process creates a uniform carbide distribution, giving M390 exceptional resistance to abrasive wear.
• Toughness: M390 is not the toughest steel available — it can be somewhat brittle under extreme lateral stress compared to steels like CPM-3V — but in typical pocket knife use, toughness is more than adequate.

M390 vs. Other Premium Steels

Steel	Edge Retention	Corrosion Resistance	Toughness	Ease of Sharpening
M390	Excellent	Excellent	Moderate	Challenging
CPM-S35VN	Very Good	Very Good	Very Good	Moderate
CPM-20CV	Excellent	Excellent	Moderate	Challenging
CTS-204P	Excellent	Excellent	Moderate	Challenging
VG-10	Good	Very Good	Good	Moderate

Sharpening M390

The very properties that make M390 excellent for edge retention — high hardness and abundant carbides — also make it one of the more challenging steels to sharpen. Diamond abrasives are strongly recommended for reprofiling or sharpening M390. Standard aluminum oxide stones will struggle to cut the steel efficiently.

For daily maintenance, a ceramic rod or strop with diamond compound keeps the edge sharp between full sharpenings. Many users find that M390's edge lasts so long that sharpening becomes a rare event.

Is M390 Right for You?

M390 is an excellent choice if you prioritize edge retention and corrosion resistance and do not mind the higher price point that comes with premium steel. It is particularly well-suited for:

• Everyday carry knives that see frequent use
• Collectors who want top-tier blade performance
• Users in humid or coastal environments where corrosion resistance matters

If you prioritize toughness over edge retention — for hard-use tasks like prying or batoning — a tougher steel like CPM-S35VN might be a better fit. Explore our collection of folding pocket knives to find models available in M390 and other premium blade steels.

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Understanding blade steel is key to choosing the right knife. M390 represents the premium end of the spectrum for those who demand outstanding edge-holding performance.