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S45VN is not a clean sweep over S30V. In Larrin Thomas’s ratings, S30V has a small abrasive edge-retention lead, S45VN a small corrosion-resistance lead, and both have the same toughness score. For most buyers, the knife around the steel matters more than the newer name.
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.
| Property | CPM S30V | CPM S45VN |
|---|---|---|
| Abrasive edge retention | ||
| Toughness | ||
| Corrosion resistance |
Heat treatment, hardness and geometry affect actual knives.
S30V Keeps a Small Wear Advantage
S30V rates 6 for abrasive edge retention and S45VN 5.5. That modest gap favors S30V for repeated wear-heavy slicing, but it should not be read as a fixed extra number of boxes or days between sharpenings.
If you already have an S30V knife that cuts well, this comparison gives little reason to replace it solely for S45VN. A different grind, size or handle could make an upgrade worthwhile; the steel name alone is a weaker reason.
For more on its established everyday role, read the S30V steel profile.
S45VN Gains a Little Corrosion Resistance
S45VN rates 8 for corrosion resistance, against S30V at 7.5. It is a reasonable preference if you are comparing otherwise similar knives for sweaty pockets or damp conditions, though the half-point difference is small.
Both are stainless steels that benefit from being cleaned and dried. Neither rating guarantees freedom from staining after prolonged exposure to salt or acidic residue.
Our S45VN steel profile explains its composition and practical tradeoffs.
The Toughness Scores Are Equal
Both steels rate 4 for toughness in this framework. S45VN’s later development does not justify describing it as automatically more chip resistant in every knife.
A maker’s heat treatment and the support behind the edge are particularly relevant when the scores are this close. Compare the intended use of the two blades rather than assuming a higher-numbered steel means a tougher tool.
A Close Choice, Not a Necessary Upgrade
Between otherwise similar knives, we would favor S30V slightly for abrasive slicing and S45VN slightly for corrosion resistance. If the handles, grinds or prices differ meaningfully, those differences can make the choice more straightforward than the ratings do.
Sharpening also depends on the actual edge. We would not claim that the half-point wear gap produces a noticeable sharpening-time difference for every user, or that an existing S30V knife needs replacing to keep up.
Composition
Our steel composition guide explains what the elements do and how to read these values.
CPM S30V: Reported composition from Larrin Thomas’s July 2026 table, mass %; not a producer specification or batch analysis. This source lists 0.2% nitrogen for S30V; Niagara’s datasheet does not list nitrogen. Knife Steel Nerds: stainless steel composition table (July 2026).
CPM S45VN: Selected nominal/typical values, mass %; not a batch certificate or complete analysis. Niagara Specialty Metals: CPM S45VN.
| Element | CPM S30V | CPM S45VN |
|---|---|---|
| Carbon (C) | 1.45% | 1.48% |
| Chromium (Cr) | 14% | 16% |
| Molybdenum (Mo) | 2% | 2% |
| Vanadium (V) | 4% | 3% |
| Nitrogen (N) | 0.2% | 0.15% |
| Niobium (Nb) | Not listed | 0.5% |
Compare Two Knife Steels
Sources and Update Notes
- Dr. Larrin Thomas: knife steel ratings · Property ratings, not a test of these finished knives.
- S30V composition reference
- S45VN composition reference
