Is S390 Steel Better Than K390 Steel
Which is the better steel? Some people swear by the superior toughness of s390 knives, while others prefer the edge retention of K390 blades. In our opinion, S390 is the better steel for most applications. This article will provide a broader perspective on the advantages of S390 steel and a detailed comparison of this to steel.
Which One Is Better?
It depends on what you’re looking for in a knife. If you need a tough blade that can take a lot of abuse, then s390 is probably the better choice. However, if you’re looking for a blade that will retain its edge for a long time and is easy to sharpen, then k390 may be the better option.
But in our opinion, we go for S390’s toughness and wear resistance. It’s a great steel for those who need a knife that can take a lot of abuse. And although it’s not the most straightforward steel to sharpen, it’s still relatively easy compared to other tough steels. So if you’re looking for a tough, durable blade you can choose s390
What Is S390 Steel?
S390 is manufactured by Bohler and is often considered premium steel. It’s known for being one of the tougher steels on the market and for having excellent wear resistance. This makes it a great choice for knives that will be used heavily or for those that need to retain their edge for a long time. However, this toughness comes at a cost – s390 knives can be more difficult to sharpen than other types of steel.
The “S” and “V” stands for stainless and vanadium, which are common in many premium steels. The “390” refers to the carbon content, which is just below four percent. This gives the steel good hardness and resistance while still being relatively tough.
The Composition of S390 Steel
The main alloying elements in s390 steel are chromium, molybdenum, and vanadium. The steel also contains a small amount of silicon, manganese, and tungsten.
- Carbon-1.64%
- Chromium-4.8.6%
- Molybdenum-2.0%
- Cobalt-8.00%
- Silicon- 0.6%
- Vanadium-4.0%
- Manganese- 0.7%
- Tungsten-10.4%
Properties of S390 Steel
S390 is a tough steel that offers excellent wear resistance. It’s also relatively easy to sharpen, although not as easy as some other steels. The main downside of s390 is that it’s not as corrosion-resistant as some other types of steel.
- Hardness 69HRC (Excellent)
- Toughness: Very Good
- Edge Retention: Best
- Corrosion Resistance: Fair
- Ease of Sharpening: Bad
- Steel Toughness: Okay
What Is K390 Steel?
K390 is also manufactured by Bohler and is often considered a premium steel following the particle metallurgy process. It’s known for having excellent wear resistance and retaining its edge for a long time. This makes it a great choice for knives that will be used heavily or for those that need to stay sharp for a long time.
Although it is not stainless steel, k390 has exceptional wear resistance. It is also one of the easiest steels to sharpen, making it an excellent choice for those who don’t want to spend a lot of time maintaining their knives.
The Composition of K390 Steel
K390 is low-alloy stainless steel with molybdenum, chromium, and vanadium as the primary alloying metals. A modest amount of silicon, sulfur, cobalt, and tungsten are also present.
- Carbon-2.50%
- Chromium-4.00%
- Molybdenum-4.00%
- Cobalt-2.00%
- Silicon-0.60%
- Sulfar-0.00%
- Vanadium-9.00%
- Tungsten-1.00%
Properties of K390 Steel
- Hardness: 64HRC (Good)
- Toughness: Excellent
- Edge Retention: Very Good
- Corrosion Resistance: Bad
- Ease of Sharpening: Fair
- Steel Toughness: Not Good
