Maxamet vs S110V | Which One Is Better?
If you ask someone for a steel recommendation, you will most likely hear Maxamet or S110V steel. The S110V is the best option for humid environments when it comes to fishing, hunting, and diving. For regular cutting and chopping, it’s great. And if you are a professional chef, then you will love Maxamet for its excellent edge retention and sharpness. Moreover, for strong cutting like bones, this steel is good.
Whether you are getting Maxamet or S11V steel, every tiny detail discussed below will help you understand the steel. In short
Which one is better Maxamet or S110V
Maxamet steel is made by the company named “Carpenter Technology.” It contains multiple chemical components, such as tungsten and carbon, which makes it unique among steels for knives. On the other hand, “Crucible” made S110V steel with a high amount of vanadium and Niobium to make the knives stand out, especially in the food industry. In short, s110v is better assuming you have the best tool or way to sharpen.
A quick comparison chart
| Comparison Basis | Maxamet | S110V |
| Chemical Comparison | 2.15 % of Carbon 4.75% of Chromium 0.3 % of Manganese 0.25 % of Silicon 0.07% of Sulfur 6% of Vanadium | 2.8% Carbon 15.25% Chromium 2.25% Molybdenum 9% Vanadium 2.5% Cobalt 3% Niobium |
| Hardness | 65HRC | 63.5 HRC |
| Toughness | Medium | Decent |
| Wear Resistance | Medium | High |
| Corrosion Resistance | Low | High |
| Edge Retention | Excellent | Great |
| Ease of sharpening | Easy | Hard |
| Maintenance Required | Less | More |
Key Differences
Maxamet and S110V have a lot of significant differences. First and foremost, both steels contain a large number of different chemical compounds. As a result, people prefer Maxamet and S110V for a variety of applications. Here are the key differences between Maxamet and S110V steel:
Built Quality
Maxamet has more vanadium and less chromium on its chemical compound list. On the other hand, S110V has more chromium and less vanadium than Maxamet. That means S110V has better tensile strength.
Hardness
65 HRC of Maxamet makes it harder than S110V steel. S110V has a hardness of 63.5 HRC, which is not that much different from Maxamet. But S110V is less hard than Maxamet.
Toughness
The toughness of S11V0 is better than Maxamet. It is because Maxamet has a higher HRC, which makes it more brittle and easily breakable than S110V. That’s why S110V wins over Maxamet on toughness.
Wear and Corrosion Resistance
S11V0 has a higher wear and corrosion resistance level. Maxamet steel has decent wear and corrosion resistance because of its toughness. 15% of the chromium in S110V makes it stainless steel; hence, S110V scores highly in wear and corrosion resistance.
Edge Retention
When it comes to edge retention, Maxamet gets the highest score. S110V’s edge retention is still great, but not better than Maxamet. Its hardness level is the reason Maxamet retains edges so well.
Ease Of Sharpening
Both Maxamet and S110V are relatively hard to sharpen. They are brittle and easy to break because of their higher HRC scores, and because of that, sharpening Maxamet and S110V is complicated. Though s110v is a little easier to sharpen than Maxamet. But you have to be very careful about sharpening the knife because the wrong way of sharpening can ruin your knife.
Conclusion:
I think in this Maxamet Vs. S110V war, S110V gets the highest score for its toughness, edge retention, maintenance, and ease of sharpening. On the other hand, Maxamet wins over S110V for its higher hardness level (65HRC). However, both knives have different purposes of uses, as S110v is best for Chefs and people who love to cook.
And if you are someone who loves to go on a hike or adventure, we recommend taking the Maxamet blade with you. Overall, both knives have distinctive features which make them stand out from one another.
Read More:
My Favourite Knives in Each Category
I have already used Maxamet and S110V knives, and here are my favorites in each steel category:
Maxamet
Spyderco Para Military 2 Signature Maxamet Knife is a classic knife, best for hiking and military purposes. The G-10 handle ensures a secure grip, and the 3.42” steel blade ensures the best cut. Spyderco para military knife is a great everyday cutting tool for its compact package. This knife requires exceptional maintenance.
s110v
The Spyderco Native 5 Lightweight signature knife has a high-strength lock and ease of use. This knife is Lightweight and durable, which makes it easy to carry. Fiberglass Reinforced Nylon is used for the handle creating a lightweight handle. Spyderco Native 5 lightweight signature knife requires maintenance and is hard to sharpen. That means you have to use this blade carefully.
