MagnaCut vs S30V

In this article “MagnaCut vs S30”, I will be comparing the performance of CPM Magnacut stainless tool steel to CPM S30V stainless steel.

Both of these steels are powder metallurgy steels produced by following the Crucible Particle Metallurgy process that results in superior steels compared to conventional carbon steels.

MagnaCut is a new steel, designed by metallurgist Dr. Larrin Thomas and produced by Crucible Industries, MagnaCut aims to improve upon S30V’s properties through a refined composition and carbide structure.

A key difference is MagnaCut’s lack of chromium carbides, which provides benefits in toughness, hardness, and corrosion resistance.

S30V stainless steel has been a highly trusted and widely used stainless steel in the knife world for over 20 years. But the newer MagnaCut steel offers an intriguing combination of properties that suggest a new level of all-around performance. 

I will compare these two premium stainless steels in detail across factors like hardness, edge retention, corrosion resistance, grindability, toughness, and ease of sharpening. 

MagnaCut vs S30V At A Glance

Hardness

According to Crucible Data Sheets, the Rockwell hardness of S30V steel typically ranges from 58-61 HRC when austenitized between 1950-2000°F and double tempered at 600°F. 

MagnaCut can reach hardness levels up to 64+ HRC when austenitized at 2050-2100°F and double tempered at 350°F, especially with the addition of a cryogenic treatment after quenching.

The higher potential hardness of MagnaCut knife steel is due to its refined carbide structure and optimized balance of carbon and chromium which allows full martensitic transformation while still maintaining good corrosion resistance.

MagnaCut blade steel was intentionally designed to achieve a hardness sweet spot around 62-64 HRC for strength, edge retention, and thin edge stability in knives. 

In contrast, S30V does not have as much headroom to reach those higher hardness levels before running into issues with lowering corrosion resistance.

CPM MagnaCut demonstrates superior hardness capabilities over S30V, making it better suited for knife applications desiring thin edges and edge-holding ability. 

Toughness

The toughness of S30V steel is relatively average for a powder metallurgy stainless steel, with typical values around 25-28 ft-lbs in longitudinal testing.

In contrast, MagnaCut demonstrates significantly higher toughness than S30V and other Powder Metallurgy stainless steels.

With an optimized austenitizing temperature of 2000-2050°F and 350°F temper, MagnaCut achieved toughness results of 30-35 ft-lbs, similar to non-stainless steels like CPM-4V and Vanadis 4 Extra which it was designed to match.

This is partly due to MagnaCut’s refined carbide structure which leads to improved crack resistance. At comparable hardness levels of 60-61 HRC, MagnaCut has nearly double the toughness of S30V.

Even at its highest hardness of 64+ HRC, MagnaCut matches the toughness of S30V at just 60 HRC.

The higher toughness of MagnaCut makes it more resistant to chipping and suitable for larger chopping knives, while also enabling thinner edges on slicing knives for improved edge stability and cutting ability.

MagnaCut knife steel demonstrates a clear advantage in toughness over S30V knife steel which can expand its versatility across a wider range of knife designs and applications.

Edge Retention

S30V steel slightly outperforms MagnaCut steel in edge retention and wear resistance. The excellent edge retention of S30V is attributed to the high vanadium carbides and chromium carbides in its matrix.

The edge retention of S30V is very good, with CATRA  testing showing it performs about 45% better than 440C steel while Magnacut performs about 35% better than 440C steel.

While S30V holds an edge slightly longer in controlled tests, Magnacut can be taken to higher hardness levels for even greater wear resistance if desired.

These blade steels offer substantial improvements in edge retention versus lower alloy steel types, but Magnacut provides additional enhancements in stability and durability that further prolong sharpness in real-world knife use.

Corrosion Resistance

The corrosion resistance of S30V stainless steel is considered above average for stainless steel, though not extraordinary. It tends to be similar to CPM S35VN and better than steels like 154CM. 

However, MagnaCut stainless steel surprisingly demonstrated even better corrosion resistance than S30V, despite having lower chromium content. 

In saltwater spray testing, MagnaCut showed no signs of corrosion after 72 hours, while S30V exhibited some small spots of rusting.

This is attributed to MagnaCut’s lack of chromium carbides in its microstructure, leaving more chromium available to resist corrosion.

The corrosion resistance of MagnaCut is on par with premium steels like 20CV and close to nitrogen stainless steels like Vanax and LC200N. 

Even with high hardness heat treatments up to 64+ HRC, MagnaCut matched or exceeded the corrosion resistance of S30V at lower hardness levels around 60 HRC.

MagnaCut sets a new benchmark for balancing high hardness and corrosion resistance in stainless steel. 

Magnacut excellent corrosion resistance gives it an advantage over S30V for applications where rust resistance is critical.

However, S30V knife steel is still sufficient for many general-purpose knives not seeing extreme conditions.

Ease of sharpening

The grindability and sharpening characteristics of S30V blade steel are considered average for a high alloy stainless steel. 

S30V steel mix of vanadium carbides provides good wear resistance but can be more difficult to sharpen compared to simple steels like 154CM. 

MagnaCut was designed to have improved grind ability over S30V through its refined carbide structure and elimination of coarse chromium carbides.

Knifemakers have reported that MagnaCut grinds and sharpens significantly easier than S30V, comparable to 154CM until higher grits where vanadium carbides become more apparent.

So in general, magnacut steel sharpens slightly easier or is similar to S30V blade steel. In my experience, I have found sharpening MagnaCut comparable to CPM 154 and slightly easier than S30V steel.

Price

MagnaCut knives tend to be more expensive than S30V knives, this is because S30V steel has been widely adopted over the years and is regarded as a budget steel.

MagnaCut on the other hand is a new steel just being adopted, it is a bit more expensive than S30V but still cheaper than most premium blade steels in the market like M390 steel.

Final Thoughts on MagnaCut vs S30V

I have used S30V as my go-to knife steel for many years, I have several kitchen knives and folders in S30V that have held up impressively over time without letting me down.

However, after extensive testing and use, I believe MagnaCut represents a new standard in knife steel performance that now surpasses S30V as my top recommendation.

While S30V maintains an edge retention advantage, MagnaCut proves superior in all other aspects—hardness, toughness, corrosion resistance, grindability, and sharpenability.

MagnaCut’s incredibly balanced properties allow for thinner, keener edges and expanded versatility across a wide range of knives and applications.

Its mix of high hardness and corrosion resistance is truly unique. For me, MagnaCut combines the best attributes of powder metallurgy steels and non-stainless steels into one impressive stainless package.

My S30V knives will continue serving me well. But having used both steels extensively now, I am fully confident in recommending MagnaCut for knife makers and knife enthusiasts desiring the utmost in cutting ability, toughness, and corrosion resistance.