S90V vs M390: Which Super Steel Is Better for EDC Knives?

Two names keep coming up when premium folding knives are discussed: CPM S90V and Bohler M390. Both are powder metallurgy stainless steels with serious edge retention, and both appear across the Artisan Cutlery lineup — M390 in models like the Hoverwing, Hornet, and Megahawk, and S90V in the Mini Xcellerator, Cleo, and Holm 1875. But they are not interchangeable. Here is how S90V and M390 actually compare for everyday carry.

What Is CPM S90V?

S90V is a high-vanadium stainless steel made by Crucible Industries using the powder metallurgy process. Its formula is built around a very high vanadium content — roughly nine percent — which forms large numbers of extremely hard vanadium carbides. That carbide population is what gives S90V its famous edge retention.

The trade-off is immediate: all those carbides make the steel noticeably more difficult to sharpen than most stainless steels, and its toughness is lower than steels with leaner carbide loads.

What Is Bohler M390?

M390 is a powder metallurgy stainless from Bohler, an Austrian steelmaker. It carries roughly 20 percent chromium, which puts it firmly in the highly stainless category, along with a balanced mix of vanadium, molybdenum, and tungsten carbides. M390 became the default premium steel for many makers because it combines strong edge retention with good corrosion resistance and a far more forgiving sharpening experience than ultra-high-carbide steels.

Edge Retention: S90V Wins

If a single metric matters most to you, S90V is the harder-cutting steel. Its vanadium carbide network resists abrasion longer than M390's carbide mix in most cutting tasks, which is why it is favored for blades that slice fibrous material for long stretches without a touch-up.

Toughness: M390 Wins

Edge retention has a price. S90V's dense carbide population makes it more prone to micro-chipping at acute edge angles or under lateral stress. M390 is not a tough steel by tool-steel standards, but it is noticeably more forgiving than S90V, which makes it the safer choice for hard use and for newer sharpeners who run thin edges.

Sharpening: M390 Is Far Easier

This is where most buyers decide. S90V demands patience: it eats abrasives, requires more time on stones, and rewards a disciplined sharpening routine. M390 still takes longer than budget steels like 14C28N, but it responds to normal sharpening equipment in reasonable time. If you sharpen by hand and dislike long sessions, M390 is the pragmatic pick.

Corrosion Resistance: M390 Wins

With roughly 20 percent chromium versus around 14 percent in S90V, M390 has the clearer corrosion advantage. Both are stainless, and neither will rust from ordinary pocket carry, but M390 is more tolerant of humid climates, sweaty pockets, and coastal air.

S90V vs M390: Comparison Table

Property	S90V	M390
Edge retention	Excellent — among the best stainless	Very good
Toughness	Lower; can micro-chip	Better; more forgiving
Ease of sharpening	Difficult	Moderate
Corrosion resistance	Good	Excellent
Best fit	Maximum cutting life, light duty	Balanced EDC, easier care

Which One Should You Choose?

• Choose S90V if your priority is raw cutting endurance and you sharpen with patience or a guided system.
• Choose M390 if you want an all-rounder that is easy to maintain, corrosion-resistant, and tough enough for daily abuse.
• Choose either if you simply want a premium powder steel — both outperform budget options by a wide margin.

S90V and M390 in Artisan Cutlery Knives

Artisan uses both steels across its premium lines. M390 anchors the titanium frame lock family — Hoverwing, Hornet, Eagle, Eterno, and Megahawk — while S90V appears in standout pieces like the Mini Xcellerator, the Cleo button lock, and the Holm 1875. To compare real knives in both steels side by side, browse the full Artisan Cutlery collection.

For deeper reading on steel behavior, Knife Steel Nerds maintains extensive data on carbide populations, toughness, and edge retention across both steels.

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