S35vn and s30v are two of the most common types of steel used to manufacture knives.
These two steel types are manufactured using a similar process, and they were even developed by the same knife maker.
Since both the s35vn and s30v are made using the same process, they have similar properties.
However, at the same time, both of these steels have their fair share of differences as well.
If you are a knife enthusiast that is going to buy a knife made of either of these steel types, it is good to know how the s35vn vs s30v compare.
Because the knife’s properties may vary depending upon which of the two steels are used in its manufacturing.
This article will compare the two sheets of steel based on various matrices so you can decide which one fits your usage scenario.
Top 13 List Of S35vn & S30v Knives
| Image | Blade Steel | Knife |
|---|---|---|
 | S35vn | SOG High-Performance Duty (Get Best Pricing Here!) |
 | S30v | Zero Tolerance 0350TS (Get Best Pricing Here!) |
 | S30v | Spyderco Smock Premium Flipper (Get Best Pricing Here!) |
 | S35vn | Cold Steel AD-10 (Get Best Pricing Here!) |
 | S30v | Kershaw Blur (Get Best Pricing Here!) |
 | S35vn | Zero Tolerance 0350 (Get Best Pricing Here!) |
 | S35vn | Kizer Begleiter (Get Best Pricing Here!) |
 | S35vn | Buck Knives 119 Special Pro (Get Best Pricing Here!) |
 | S35vn | SOG Pillar (Get Best Pricing Here!) |
 | S30v | Buck Knives 110 Hunter Sport (Get Best Pricing Here!) |
 | S35vn | Buck Knives 120 General (Get Best Pricing Here!) |
 | S35vn | CIVIVI Pintail Flipper (Get Best Pricing Here!) |
 | S35vn | Spyderco Tenacious (Get Best Pricing Here!) |
How are s35vn and s30v made?
Despite their different compositions, one of the biggest similarities between s35vn and s30v is their manufacturing process.
Both of these steel types are referred to as CPM steel because of the technique used for their production.
CPM stands for Crucible Particle Metal technology, and steel made using the CPM technique has carbides evenly distributed along the knife’s body.
As a result, the knives made using CPM are durable and long-lasting.
Due to the complexity of the CPM manufacturing process, it is only done by a few select knife manufacturers around the world.
Due to their exclusive manufacturing, the s35vn and s30v steels are considered some of the most premium steels. Not to mention the knives made out of these two steel are also highly sought after.
S30v vs S35vn – How do s35vn and s30v compare to one another?
Now that you know what makes the s35vn and s30v similar, it is time to explain the differences between the two.
We are going to compare the two sheets of steel based on their composition, toughness, sharpness, corrosion resistance, maintenance requirements, and cost.
So anyone who is confused about the two types of steel can make a more informed decision about which steel knife to buy.
Without further ado, here are the differences between s35vn and s30v:
Composition:
S30v:
S30v and s35vn have similar elements in their composition with varying percentages. S30v contains 1.45% carbon, 14% chromium, 4% vanadium, and 2% molybdenum.
S35vn:
S35vn contains all the same elements as s30v but in different amounts. In addition, this steel has Niobium which sets its composition apart from its counterpart. S30v contains 1.40% carbon, 20% chromium, 3% vanadium, 2% molybdenum, and 0.5% niobium.
Toughness:
S30v:
As far as toughness is concerned, s30v is by no means weak; however, it lacks Niobium which means knives made out of s30v are brittle.
The added brittleness of knives made of s30v makes them unusable for certain heavy-duty applications.
S35vn:
Unlike s30v, the s35vn has the added 0.5% niobium, which replaces some of the vanadium and makes the steel less brittle and improves toughness.
So when compared based on toughness, the s35vn beats the s30v steel and therefore makes a better option for knives that are designed for heavy-duty usage.
Sharpness:
S30v:
Despite being brittle, the s30v shines when it comes to sharpness and edge retention. You can expect a knife made out of s30v steel to retain its edge for longer due to its higher vanadium content.
Vanadium helps keep the s30v steel knives sharper for slightly longer than the s35vn.
S35vn:
Even though the results from CATRA testing show that s35vn has the same level of edge retention as the s30v experienced users report otherwise.
When used in real-world scenarios, the S35vn lost its edge faster compared to the s30v steel. With that said, if proper heat treatment is applied during the manufacturing process, the s35vn can achieve the same edge retention capabilities as the s30v.
Corrosion resistance:
S30v:
Corrosion resistance is the ability of a metal to withstand oxidation or rust. S30v offers decent corrosion resistance properties making it ideal for knife making.
S35vn:
This steel type offers the same level of corrosion resistance as the s30v because of the similar chemical composition. The high chromium and molybdenum contents of both of these steels make them an excellent option for making knives that are required to withstand corrosive environments.
Sharpening:
S30v:
Every knife needs to be sharpened on a regular basis, and the type of steel it is made of determines how difficult the sharpening process is going to be.
S30v has vanadium that is considered highly wear-resistant, but the same property makes this steel difficult to sharpen.
The sharpening process involves removing small amounts of metal from the edge to restore the knife’s edge. Since s30v is hard to deform, sharpening it can be challenging.
S35vn:
S35vn is easier to sharpen compared to the s30v because it contains Niobium. The addition of Niobium makes the s35vn steel knives easier to deform, and therefore sharpening them is much simpler.
Usage applications:
S30v:
As mentioned earlier, the s30v is not very tough, which makes it suitable for making smaller knives. You can’t expect a knife made of s30v steel to perform well in heavy-duty applications such as chopping or cutting.
Not to mention s30v steel is cheaper, which makes up for its lower toughness. You can find many small pocket knives made out of s30v steel.
S35vn:
S35vn has a much higher toughness rating than the s30v. Therefore the s35vn is used for making knives for heavy-duty applications such as survival knives, hunting knives, and combat knives.
A knife made of s35v is going to be more reliable and, therefore, can be used in both indoor and outdoor environments.
Top 13 List Of S35vn & S30v Knives
| Image | Blade Steel | Knife |
|---|---|---|
| S35vn | SOG High-Performance Duty (Get Best Pricing Here!) |
| S30v | Zero Tolerance 0350TS (Get Best Pricing Here!) |
| S30v | Spyderco Smock Premium Flipper (Get Best Pricing Here!) |
| S35vn | Cold Steel AD-10 (Get Best Pricing Here!) |
| S30v | Kershaw Blur (Get Best Pricing Here!) |
| S35vn | Zero Tolerance 0350 (Get Best Pricing Here!) |
| S35vn | Kizer Begleiter (Get Best Pricing Here!) |
| S35vn | Buck Knives 119 Special Pro (Get Best Pricing Here!) |
| S35vn | SOG Pillar (Get Best Pricing Here!) |
| S30v | Buck Knives 110 Hunter Sport (Get Best Pricing Here!) |
| S35vn | Buck Knives 120 General (Get Best Pricing Here!) |
| S35vn | CIVIVI Pintail Flipper (Get Best Pricing Here!) |
| S35vn | Spyderco Tenacious (Get Best Pricing Here!) |
S35vn vs S30v – Conclusion
So there you have it. We have covered every aspect that sets s35vn and s30v steel knives apart.
While both knives look similar on paper, they have very different properties when they are used in real-world scenarios.
While the s35vn is clearly the superior steel in most cases, the s30v has its unique applications as well.
Now that you know how both of these steels compare, you can easily choose between them when picking your next steel knife.