Cruwear Vs M390: Which steel is better?
Cruwear and M390 are two of the best knife steels when it comes to toughness. You can easily get confused between these two when deciding to buy your next knife. But I say it is not too complicated if you know the differences between Cruwear and M390. Cruwear and M390 use different chemical compounds. As a result, Cruwear steel is harder, tougher, and easy to sharpen. Similarly, the M390 steel has excellent wear resistance with superb edge retention and requires less maintenance. However, Cruwear knives are cheaper than M390 knives.
A detailed discussion of the differences will help you better understand which one is better and which one you should purchase. Let’s take a closer look at Cruwear and M390 steels.
Quick comparison chart
| Basis for comparison | Cruwear | M390 |
| Chemical compounds | Carbon 1.00%; Chromium 15.00%; Molybdenum 0.4%; Nickel 0.25% | Carbon 1.90%; Chromium 20%; Molybdenum 1%; Vanadium 4%; Tungsten 0.6%; Manganese 0.3%; Silicone 0.70% |
| Hardness | 60-65HRC | 60-62HRC |
| Toughness | Stronger | Medium |
| Wear resistance | Prone to resistance | Excellent wear resistance ability |
| Edge retention | Good | Excellent |
| Sharpen | Easy to sharpen | Requires more labor |
| Maintenance | Need to maintain regularly | Requires less maintenance |
| Cost | Cheaper | Expensive |
Cruwear Vs M390: Key differences
Cruwear and M390 are probably two of the best steels for higher mid-range knives. It’s pretty tough to distinguish between the two. But they share some subtle differences.
The key differences between M390 and Cruwear steels are:
Chemical compounds
Cruwear and M390 both use different chemical compounds for production. They share some similar elements but with different amounts. While M390 uses more carbon, chromium, & vanadium, Cruwear uses more molybdenum & tungsten. All the shared differences between these two steel types are due to using different chemical compounds.
Hardness & toughness
In the case of hardness, Cruwear is miles ahead of M390. Although in numbers, they look the pretty same with Rockwell ratings of 60 to 62 for HRC for M390 and 60 to 65 for Cruwear, in reality, Cruwear is harder.
The hardness makes Cruwear tougher between the two. Nonetheless, it also depends on how well heat treatment companies use while making knives.
Wear resistance
Cruwear is not stainless steel. But the M390 is semi-stainless steel. The higher percentage of chromium makes it highly wear-resistant. M390 won’t attract rust or corrosion easily. But Cruwear is prone to rust and corrosion.
Edge retention
M390 also stays ahead of Cruwear in case of edge retention. It is quite sharp and withstands environmental harshness well. The M390 knives will serve well for generations, while Cruwear also remains sharp for a good time.
Maintenance
Although Cruwear is easier to sharpen, they require more maintenance than M390. This is due to the M390’s higher wear resistance. You will need to regularly maintain Cruwear with oil and sharpen it to keep it in good condition. you can use an electric sharpener or whetstone to sharpen.
Cruwear Steel: Overview
Cruwear steel is an upgrade to D2 steel and comes with balanced toughness, hardness, and wear resistance. Commercially, the knives are made of CPM Cruwear. The knives of Cruwear steel are pretty durable.
M390 Steel: Overview
M390 steel is martensitic chromium steel that has exceptional wear resistance and edge retention. That’s why people often call it super steel. Böhler M390 is the common type of steel for making knives. These knives offer long-lasting performance.
Conclusion
After comparing Cruwear vs M390, I can say that if you want a tough knife, then go for the Cruwear, but if you want superb wear resistance and edge retention, M390 is the obvious choice.
Want to read more steel comparisons dive below,
- SPY 27 Vs M390 steel | What are the differences between these two steels?
- Magnacut vs M390: Which One Is Better?
My favorite knives in each steel
After looking at the best available knives in each category, I found the following two most reliable:
- Spyderco Paramilitary 2 Signature Knife (Cruwear)
This is an improved version of its previous classic models. Its astonishing craftsmanship and excellent strength make it one of the best Cruwear knives. Plus, the knife has a 4-position pocket clip for carrying conveniently.
- Off-Grid Knives – Scorpion Elite Series (M390)
This Bohler M390 made knife comes with amazing toughness and superb wear resistance. Plus, the carbon fiber handle makes it lighter. It’s undoubtedly one of the best M390 knives available on the market.
