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CPM 15V pushes abrasive edge retention far beyond MagnaCut’s rating, but gives up toughness and corrosion resistance. It is a more specialized choice for wear-heavy cutting, while MagnaCut offers a broader balance for mixed everyday use.
Performance Ratings
For the science, we turn to Dr. Larrin Thomas of Knife Steel Nerds, who has kindly allowed us to share his ratings here.
The toughness score of 7 is for original Crucible MagnaCut. In written feedback to KnifeInformer, Dr. Thomas provided a toughness rating of 8.5 for Erasteel MagnaCut; his January 2026 testing explains the differences between the two versions. This table uses the original version.
| Property | CPM 15V | CPM MagnaCut |
|---|---|---|
| Abrasive edge retention | ||
| Toughness | ||
| Corrosion resistance |
Heat treatment, hardness and geometry affect actual knives.
15V Is the Abrasive-Wear Specialist Here
CPM 15V rates 10 for abrasive edge retention and MagnaCut 5. That large difference makes 15V interesting for sustained abrasive slicing. It does not mean a finished 15V knife will cut for exactly twice as long.
The score is an ordinal material rating rather than a proportional cutting-time measurement. Edge angle, hardness and what you cut affect the actual result.
Our CPM 15V steel profile explains its properties and care in more detail.
MagnaCut Has More Toughness
Original MagnaCut rates 7 for toughness against CPM 15V at 3.5. We would favor MagnaCut when the knife must handle a wider mix of cutting tasks and resistance to chipping matters.
A 15V knife should be chosen around its intended cutting use, not treated as a general upgrade because its wear number is high. The blade design remains important.
Our MagnaCut steel profile explains its properties and care in more detail.
15V Requires More Rust Attention
MagnaCut rates 9.5 for corrosion resistance and CPM 15V 4. For damp carry, MagnaCut has a substantial advantage.
CPM 15V is not stainless. Clean and dry it after use, and keep suitable sharpening equipment and maintenance habits in the purchase decision rather than considering only the steel price.
Specialized Wear or a Broader Balance?
We would choose 15V when abrasive wear is clearly the limiting problem and its care needs fit the owner. We would choose MagnaCut for a more versatile knife where toughness and corrosion resistance are important.
For occasional package opening, 15V’s extra wear capability may not be the benefit you notice most. Buy it for a real cutting workload rather than the highest chart score.
Composition
Our steel composition guide explains the elements and the differences between reported values, ranges and limits.
CPM 15V: Niagara typical CPM 15V chemistry. Niagara Specialty Metals: CPM 15V.
CPM MagnaCut: Niagara typical composition, mass %; selected elements, not a batch analysis. Niagara Specialty Metals: CPM MagnaCut.
| Element | CPM 15V | CPM MagnaCut |
|---|---|---|
| Carbon (C) | 3.4% | 1.15% |
| Chromium (Cr) | 5.25% | 10.7% |
| Vanadium (V) | 14.5% | 4% |
| Molybdenum (Mo) | 1.3% | 2% |
| Manganese (Mn) | 0.5% | Not listed |
| Silicon (Si) | 0.9% | Not listed |
| Niobium (Nb) | Not listed | 2% |
| Nitrogen (N) | Not listed | 0.2% |
Compare Two Knife Steels
Sources and Update Notes
- Dr. Larrin Thomas: knife steel ratings · Property ratings; the scores describe steels rather than individual finished knives.
- Niagara Specialty Metals: CPM 15V
- Niagara Specialty Metals: CPM MagnaCut
