S35VN vs M390, 3V, and D2

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saylorbrand

Joined
Jun 8, 2008
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I have knives in S35VN and I love it. I carry a CRK Nyala as my EDC. It takes a sharp edge with little effort, and retains it. That all said I was looking at a new field/tactical blade in the 5-6 inch range, and love a handful of knives in the steels all listed above. I know that 3V is the toughest and M390 is king of the stainless, but how are they on field sharpening? In a jam how hard would they be to sharpen compared to S35VN? I found elmax was great as far as toughness and edge retention goes but is hell to sharpen. I want a knife with a solid balance in all the categories, toughness, corrosion resistance, edge retention, and ease of sharpening.
 
CRK runs their S35VN fairly soft so that's why it is so easy to sharpen. That being said, both of 3v and m390 will be harder for you to sharpen. Generally speaking however, they are not hard steels to sharpen, especially 3v. Both are easier to sharpen than elmax from my experience
 
D2 doesn't even belong in the same sentence with S35VN, M390 and 3V, except as a bad example. All three will clearly outperform D2 at 58Rc, and leave it right in the dust at 60 or 62Rc.

Those three are all pretty dang good for wear-resistance. For very good corrosion-resistance and fairly good toughness, stick with S35VN. For excellent toughness and pretty decent corrosion-resistance, 3V or maybe M390.
 
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In my experience M390 (Reate) sharpens pretty easily on Wicked Edge, comparable to S35VN from CRK on ease of sharpening. Maybe ease of sharpening in my case is relative since I use diamond stones, but they do feel very similar. I have used my M390 to the point it doesn't shave, and easily brought it back to hair whittling sharp just by stropping. I'm liking M390 a lot now.
 
Which one would be the easiest and hardest to sharpen with a stone. By stone I mean one out of a river in an emergency etc.
 
saylorbrand said:
Which one would be the easiest and hardest to sharpen with a stone. By stone I mean one out of a river in an emergency etc.
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Depends on your stone or stones. I've gotten all three steels you've mentioned sharp on a japanese whetstone at home, and a dmt folder for the field. Strop handles the rest. None was "harder" than the other. I think the "harder" to sharpen aspect comes from lack of sharpening experience and is not specific to a steels compostition or who founded it.
 
Sharpening with river/dirt stones for approx 100-320 grit finish:

3V easiest and other 3 are about the same moderate challenge. Find good hard flat(grind to flat if needed) coarse granite (not sandy/muddy), use good amount of pressure to sharpen.


saylorbrand said:
Which one would be the easiest and hardest to sharpen with a stone. By stone I mean one out of a river in an emergency etc.
Click to expand...
 
If all else was equal then 3V would likely be the easiest to sharpen. As for which of the three steels would be best for a 6in field knife I would definitely go with 3V unless you are going to be around salt water.
 
3V is really easy to sharpen, and to a very fine edge.

What really sets it apart from the other steels you have mentioned is it's ability to hold a really good working edge....
It feels like it can hold that edge forever.....

Personally, M390 is a wonderful cardboard cutting steel, but that's about it.

S35Vn is a great multi-purpose steel with the proper HT (60-62HRC)

D2 is not applicable to me on this list....

Just my opinion based on use, your mileage may vary....

Field knife:

3V by miles and as a second option, S35Vn.
 
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