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S30V vs S35VN: a change in alloy design.

Crucible describes S35VN as a revision of S30V that adds niobium and rebalances its carbide chemistry. The producer’s aims are improved toughness and easier machining and polishing.

By KnifeCritic editorial

What changed from S30V to S35VN?

S35VN introduces niobium while reducing the nominal carbon and vanadium contents relative to S30V in these Crucible sheets. Both are martensitic stainless grades made by the CPM process. The table preserves the actual analyses rather than treating the similar names as the same recipe.

What changed from S30V to S35VNCCrVMoCARBONCHROMIUMVANADIUMMOLYB.WT %WT %WT %WT %
What changed from S30V to S35VN. Schematic; not product dimensions. Source 1. Source 2.
Producer composition; no common finished-knife performance result
ElementCPM-S30VCPM-S35VN
C (wt %)1.45%1.40%
Cr (wt %)14.00%14.00%
Mo (wt %)2.00%2.00%
V (wt %)4.00%3.00%
W (wt %)Not publishedNot published
Co (wt %)Not publishedNot published
Nb (wt %)Not published0.50%
N (wt %)Not publishedNot published
ProducerCrucible / Niagara Specialty MetalsCrucible / Niagara Specialty Metals
SourceCrucible / Niagara Specialty Metals source; checked 2026-11-04Crucible / Niagara Specialty Metals source; checked 2026-11-04

Open both steels in the chart.

Why did Crucible add niobium?

Crucible says S35VN forms niobium carbides alongside vanadium and chromium carbides. Replacing some vanadium carbides with niobium carbides is the producer’s stated route to improved toughness without losing wear resistance. It also describes easier machining and polishing than S30V; these are material-processing claims from the producer.

Why did Crucible add niobiumCCrVMoCARBONCHROMIUMVANADIUMMOLYB.WT %WT %WT %WT %
Why did Crucible add niobium. Schematic; not product dimensions. Source 1. Source 2.

Does the S35VN revision change edge-chipping claims?

The S35VN sheet associates its improved toughness with better resistance to edge chipping. That claim belongs to the producer’s material comparison under its published conditions. It does not establish a fixed improvement in a thin kitchen edge or a particular folder with different heat treatment.

Does the S35VN revision change edge-chipping claimsPER SIDEPER SIDEEQUAL BEVELS: INCLUSIVE = 2 × SIDE
Does the S35VN revision change edge-chipping claims. Schematic; not product dimensions. Source 1. Source 2.

Which S30V and S35VN knives are in the catalog?

The Benchmade Bugout 535 record specifies S30V and retains Benchmade’s hardness wording. No current catalog entry specifies S35VN, so this page has no S35VN knife counterpart to list. Use the Bugout profile for its AXIS mechanism, carry and blade dimensions rather than inventing a second model.

Catalog variants with maker-confirmed steel labels
Catalog knifeMaker steel wordingMaker source
Benchmade Bugout 535S30V stainless steel (58–60 HRC maker claim)Benchmade source; checked 2026-10-29

Is S35VN a direct replacement when sharpening an S30V knife?

The revised alloy does not change which knife you already own or supply its edge angle. Match the maker’s instructions to that model before selecting a sharpening setup. The angle calculator retains maker scope separately from composition; neither Crucible sheet supplies a universal maintenance angle for both grades.

Sources and scope

These references document materials and construction rather than a measured result for a finished knife. Open the original source to check its definitions and limits.