S90V Steel Explained: Properties, Sharpening, and Best Uses

If you have been shopping premium folding knives, you have seen the letters S90V stamped on blades that cost a small fortune. CPM S90V is one of the most edge-retentive stainless steels ever made, and it has a loyal following among collectors who would rather sharpen once a month than once a week. But extreme edge retention comes with trade-offs. This guide explains what S90V actually is, how it performs in the real world, and whether it belongs in your everyday carry.

What Is CPM S90V?

S90V is a powder metallurgy stainless steel made by Crucible Industries. Like other CPM steels, it starts as molten metal that is atomized into fine powder and then consolidated under heat and pressure. That powder metallurgy process allows carbide-forming elements to be distributed far more evenly than in conventional ingot steels, which is exactly why S90V can hold so much vanadium without becoming brittle or chippy.

The nominal composition of S90V is roughly 2.3% carbon, 14% chromium, 1% molybdenum, and a massive 9% vanadium. That vanadium forms extremely hard vanadium carbides scattered through the steel. Carbides are what resist abrasion, so more vanadium carbides means dramatically better edge retention. This is the steel's entire personality: it is engineered to hold an edge far longer than almost anything else you can buy.

S90V Performance in the Real World

• Edge retention: Outstanding. S90V sits at or near the top of almost every edge retention ranking, ahead of S35VN, M390, and even most other super steels.
• Toughness: Low. The same carbide structure that resists wear also makes the edge more prone to chipping under hard impacts, prying, or heavy lateral loads.
• Corrosion resistance: Very good. With 14% chromium, S90V is a true stainless and shrugs off sweat, humidity, and light rain with minimal care.
• Sharpenability: Difficult. Vanadium carbides are harder than the abrasives in most common sharpening stones, which is the trade-off most buyers underestimate.

S90V vs Other Premium Steels

Property	S90V	S35VN	M390	D2
Edge retention	Highest	High	Very high	High
Toughness	Low	Good	Low-moderate	Moderate
Corrosion resistance	Very good	Very good	Excellent	Poor
Ease of sharpening	Hard	Moderate	Moderate-hard	Moderate

Sharpening S90V: What You Need to Know

The single biggest complaint about S90V is that ordinary whetstones barely touch it. Because the vanadium carbides are harder than the aluminum oxide abrasives in many budget stones, you can spend an hour rubbing steel on stone and see almost no progress. The fix is simple: use diamond or CBN abrasives. Diamond plates, diamond-coated rods, and CBN stones cut S90V's carbides without breaking a sweat. Work slowly, keep a consistent angle, and finish on a fine grit for a working edge rather than chasing a mirror polish.

Is S90V Right for Your EDC?

• Choose S90V if: you value edge retention above all else, your cutting tasks are clean and light (boxes, food, rope, paper), and you own diamond sharpening gear.
• Skip S90V if: you pry, scrape, or cut against hard surfaces, or you sharpen on standard stones and want easy maintenance.

S90V in Artisan Cutlery Knives

Artisan Cutlery puts S90V to work in the Holm 1875, a premium button-lock folder with a stonewashed S90V blade and titanium handle. If you want to see what this steel feels like in a well-built everyday knife, the Holm 1875 S90V titanium is the flagship example. For a wider look at the current lineup, browse the Artisan Cutlery folding knife collection.

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S90V rewards the right owner with the longest-lasting edge in the business. Pair it with diamond abrasives and a careful hand, and it will stay sharp through months of everyday use — choose it for reliable everyday carry.