S90V vs MagnaCut Steel Comparison

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S90V vs MagnaCut Steel Comparison over a blurred abstract steel background

S90V is the wear-focused choice; MagnaCut offers a more forgiving balance of toughness and corrosion resistance. We would look at S90V for repeated abrasive slicing and MagnaCut for mixed cutting where edge damage or moisture deserves more attention. Neither choice makes the blade's grind and heat treatment less important.

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.

Dr. Thomas’s property ratings. Separate scales, not physical percentages or an overall score.
Property	CPM S90V	CPM MagnaCut
Abrasive edge retention	9	5
Toughness	3.5	7
Corrosion resistance	7.5	9.5

Heat treatment, hardness and geometry affect actual knives.

When S90V Is Worth Considering

S90V rates 9 for abrasive edge retention compared with MagnaCut at 5. Its high vanadium-carbide content is central to its wear resistance, as Niagara's datasheet explains. For repeated slicing, that is a meaningful reason to consider it. For occasional package opening, a handle you enjoy using may matter more than getting the higher wear score.

Why MagnaCut Suits a Broader Mix of Cutting

Original MagnaCut rates 7 for toughness versus S90V at 3.5. MagnaCut also rates higher for corrosion resistance. Those are useful advantages if you want one knife for varied work and damp conditions. Avoid twisting the blade in a cut, and dry it before storage.

Plan for S90V's Sharpening Needs

For major repair or reprofiling, diamond or cubic boron nitride (CBN) abrasives are a practical starting point with S90V. A coarse abrasive will do the repair work more efficiently than a fine finishing stone. Match the grit to the job, keep a consistent angle and remove the burr. MagnaCut also benefits from effective abrasives, but choosing S90V mainly for wear resistance makes it especially worth checking that your sharpening setup suits the work.

Compare the Knife, Then the Steel

If two versions of the same model are available, check whether their blade grind and hardness differ as well as their steel. Across different models, thickness behind the edge, grip and carry can outweigh an alloy advantage. There is little reason to replace a knife that already cuts well and fits your maintenance routine. Our knife steel guide helps you explore other options without treating one property as an overall ranking.

The MagnaCut steel profile covers its care and the differences between production versions.

For its background and sharpening considerations, see our S90V steel profile.