S35VN vs S45VN Steel Comparison

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S35VN vs S45VN Steel Comparison over a blurred abstract steel background

S35VN and S45VN are close relatives with a real tradeoff. S35VN has the higher toughness rating, while S45VN gains small advantages in abrasive edge retention and corrosion resistance. That makes S45VN an alternative to consider, not an automatic reason to retire a good S35VN knife.

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.

Dr. Thomas’s property ratings. Separate scales, not physical percentages or an overall score.
Property	CPM S35VN	CPM S45VN
Abrasive edge retention	5	5.5
Toughness	5	4
Corrosion resistance	7.5	8

Heat treatment, hardness and geometry affect actual knives.

S35VN Retains a Toughness Lead

S35VN rates 5 for toughness and S45VN 4. If resistance to chipping is your main concern, S35VN deserves consideration even though S45VN is the newer grade.

An edge with more supporting steel can be more forgiving than a very thin one, regardless of which name is on the blade. The rating helps compare the materials; it does not tell you the outcome of a twisting cut with two different knives.

The S35VN steel profile covers why it remains useful for everyday knives.

S45VN Adds a Modest Wear Advantage

S45VN rates 5.5 for abrasive edge retention, compared with S35VN at 5. That half-point difference is small. For cutting packages or other abrasive material, it gives S45VN a slight preference when the knives are otherwise comparable.

It is not a promise of a dramatic increase in useful cutting time. The shape and thickness of the blade, the edge angle and the maker’s heat treatment remain part of the decision.

For the newer grade’s background, see our S45VN steel profile.

A Small Improvement Around Moisture

S45VN also has a half-point corrosion advantage: 8 versus 7.5. For a pocket knife carried through hot weather or occasional rain, that is welcome, but both still belong in the clean-and-dry routine after use.

Neither steel requires you to avoid ordinary wet tasks. Equally, stainless does not mean that leaving food residue or salt on the blade indefinitely is harmless.

Which Difference Matters to You?

We would lean toward S35VN if toughness is the priority and toward S45VN if you prefer its small wear and corrosion advantages. With two knives that differ in ergonomics or cutting geometry, we would weigh those features before the steel.

For someone happy with an existing S35VN knife, S45VN alone is not a compelling upgrade. If you are buying a new design anyway, the property differences are useful tie-breakers rather than a universal ranking.