The Best Folding Knife Steel: A Comprehensive Guide

Introduction to Knife Steel Selection

Choosing the right steel for a folding knife is one of the most important decisions a knife enthusiast must make. The steel composition determines nearly every aspect of a knife’s performance, from edge retention and corrosion resistance to ease of sharpening and overall durability. With dozens of steel options available on the market today—ranging from budget-friendly options to premium super steels—selecting the “best” folding knife steel requires understanding your specific needs and how different steels perform under various conditions.

This guide will examine the key factors in steel selection, explore some of today’s most popular and high-performing knife steels, and ultimately help you determine which steel might be best for your folding knife based on your intended use and maintenance preferences.

Understanding Steel Properties

Before comparing specific steel types, it’s essential to understand the properties that make a great folding knife steel:

Edge Retention: How long the blade maintains its sharpness under use. This depends largely on the steel’s hardness (measured on the Rockwell C scale) and carbide content.

Toughness: The steel’s resistance to chipping or cracking under impact or stress. More important for hard-use knives than delicate cutting tasks.

Corrosion Resistance: How well the steel resists rust and staining. Critical for users in humid or marine environments or those who don’t want to maintain their blades meticulously.

Ease of Sharpening: How readily the steel responds to sharpening. Generally, steels with higher edge retention are more difficult to sharpen.

Wear Resistance: The steel’s ability to withstand abrasive wear. Determined by carbide volume and type in the steel matrix.

The “best” steel represents the optimal balance of these properties for your specific needs—there’s no single perfect steel that excels in all categories simultaneously.

Top Perfoming Folding Knife Steels

After testing and analyzing numerous steel options, several stand out as exceptional choices for folding knives:

1. CPM-S30V

Developed by Crucible Industries in collaboration with knifemaker Chris Reeve, S30V has become a benchmark for premium knife steels. With excellent edge retention (thanks to its vanadium carbides) and good corrosion resistance, S30V offers balanced performance that works well for most users. It’s harder to sharpen than some entry-level steels but responds well to diamond stones.

2. CPM-20CV

This high-end powder metallurgy steel offers exceptional edge retention and corrosion resistance, making it ideal for users who prioritize performance over ease of maintenance. Its high vanadium content provides outstanding wear resistance, though this comes at the cost of being more challenging to sharpen.

3. M390

A premium austenitic stainless steel from Böhler, M390 is favored by many custom knifemakers and premium production knives. It offers excellent corrosion resistance and edge retention with slightly better toughness than some other super steels. Its balanced performance makes it one of the best all-around choices for high-end folding knives.

4. LC200N

For those prioritizing corrosion resistance above all else, LC200N (also marketed as Z-FiNit by some manufacturers) is a nitrogen-based steel that’s virtually rust-proof while still offering decent edge retention. Spyderco uses this steel extensively in their Salt series knives designed for marine use.

5. MagnaCut

The newcomer that’s quickly gaining popularity, MagnaCut was specifically designed by metallurgist Dr. Larrin Thomas to offer the best possible balance of properties. It provides corrosion resistance similar to LC200N but with significantly better edge retention and toughness. Many experts consider it the most advanced all-around knife steel currently available.

Budget-Friendly Options

While the steels mentioned above represent the premium end of the spectrum, several more affordable options still offer excellent performance:

154CM: An American-made stainless steel with good edge retention and decent corrosion resistance. A step up from basic stainless steels but more affordable than premium options.

VG-10: A Japanese stainless steel popular in Spyderco and other quality production knives. Offers good corrosion resistance and takes an extremely sharp edge, though edge retention isn’t as strong as premium steels.

D2: A tool steel that’s semi-stainless (more prone to rust than true stainless steels) but offers excellent edge retention and toughness at a reasonable price point.

Selecting the Best Steel for Your Needs

The “best” folding knife steel ultimately depends on your priorities:

For everyday carry (EDC) where you want balanced performance: CPM-S30V or MagnaCut offer excellent all-around capabilities.

For maximum edge retention in dry environments: CPM-20CV or M390 will maintain their edges through extensive use.

For marine or humid environments: LC200N or H1 provide nearly rust-proof performance.

For budget-conscious buyers: VG-10 or 154CM deliver good performance at more accessible price points.

For hard-use applications where toughness matters: Consider CPM-3V or Cru-Wear, though these are less common in folding knives.

Conclusion: No Perfect Steel, But Many Great Options

While knife steel technology continues to advance, with new formulations like MagnaCut pushing performance boundaries, there remains no single “best” steel for all folding knife applications. The optimal choice depends on your specific needs, maintenance willingness, and budget. Premium steels like M390, CPM-20CV, and MagnaCut represent the current pinnacle of knife steel technology, offering combinations of properties that were unimaginable a decade ago. However, even more affordable steels can serve most users admirably when properly heat treated and ground.

The best approach is to consider how you’ll use your folding knife most frequently, which steel properties matter most to you, and choose accordingly. With proper care, today’s high-quality knife steels—whether premium or budget-friendly—can provide years of reliable service in your everyday carry rotation.