20CV vs S90V

el gigantor

el gigantor

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Hello my BF folks! Alright I'm looking at two knives and they're each in a steel I don't currently own. Which of these two options do YOU prefer? This isn't a "which is better" thread because it's all subjective and comes down to your personal use and preferences, so if YOU were selecting between 20CV and S90V (let's assume both nicely heat treated), which way are you headed??
 
I'm more interested in edge retention than corrosion resistance so I'd tend towards S90V -- BUT -- it really matters who is doing the HT, and just because a maker can optimally treat one steel doesn't mean they do so with others.
 
fishface5 said:
I'm more interested in edge retention than corrosion resistance so I'd tend towards S90V -- BUT -- it really matters who is doing the HT, and just because a maker can optimally treat one steel doesn't mean they do so with others.
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Thanks! I should have clarified, they're from different makers.
 
el gigantor said:
Hello my BF folks! Alright I'm looking at two knives and they're each in a steel I don't currently own. Which of these two options do YOU prefer? This isn't a "which is better" thread because it's all subjective and comes down to your personal use and preferences, so if YOU were selecting between 20CV and S90V (let's assume both nicely heat treated), which way are you headed??
Click to expand...
20CV/M390/204p has been a mixed bag. S90V in my ZT 0095BLK has been quite good, especially after the first sharpening.

Plus, the market is flooded with M390 and it's derivatives, which makes S90V a little more unique.
 
I don't know that I have a strong preference between these two one way or the other for EDC. I really like both! Though, I'll say that I chose 20CV for my own folders partially because I like how easily it sharpens relative to S90V, or S110V, for that matter... but I wanted to make blades that were very low maintenance overall. I find that most useful for my day-to-day.
 
I like the 20CV Hinderer I have quite a bit, but when it comes to the only knives I have by the same company made in both steels (Spyderco) I strongly prefer their S90V. It's not something I can really quantify, just a feeling when I'm using it that has left me impressed with the steel. It's almost similar to the way I feel about Spyderco's K390, but in a stainless; I just know I like using it. Whereas when I'm using Spyderco's 20CV I always get the feeling like it wants to chip if pushed too hard. Other's mileage may vary, and I offer no expertise here, just a layman's experience using both steels.
 
Another vote for 20CV.



*Me and my ZT 0308 have a love affair. 🤷‍♂️
 
I talk about my experience with two fixed blades:

1. Benchmade Hidden Canyon S90V.
2. Hinderer Emmett Bowie CPM20CV.

#1. Is a cutter at a campsite, especially for food prep and cleaning fish. The orange in the handle is also helpful. I feel like it's better for smaller jobs and therefore keeps it edge on it quite well. Gifted it to a friend, so I don't have long term experience. She told me that it has through all her hunting an fishing quite well, though.

#2. Is a hard use, no worries knife. The micarta handled felt fragile, but I am not afraid to admit I was wrong about that! It processed two bucks in one day another the next day. A lot of deer meat. I had a friend return it it's original edge. It was good to go the next week. The first edge was factory, so I got lucky with it.

Sum it up: can't pick a 'favorite ' steel, here, but favor the Hinderer overall.
 
I only have one S90V knife, a Bugout. The edge retention is incredible, but I prefer something that's easy to touch up to shaving sharp with ceramics, so I would go with the 20CV or analogs if I had the choice.
 
They would both be very good choices IMO.

S90V should have considerably better edge retention at the expense of some corrosion resistance. For most people the corrosion resistance won't be a problem, it's just that 20CV is excellent vs just good for S90V.

They both should have comparable toughness.

I would choose S90V unless you are using it in salty/corrosive environments. S110V would be another option in that case for better edge retention and slightly poorer toughness compared to 20CV.
 
S90V is my favorite high edge retention steel. It's just amazing. It's basically an upgraded version of 20CV with slightly less corrosion resistance.
 

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S90V would be my choice, but that is based on just the little the OP has told us. Steel for me is somewhat secondary to geometry/grind, blade shape, etc.

Depends as well on the OP's ability to sharpen, S90V can be more challenging than 20CV.
 
Different animals entirely. I am working on a small hunter in 20CV right now, but usually use S90V because of edge retention. 20CV is no slouch and has better corrosion resistance.
 
S90V. All day. Everyday. If I could have just one bladesteel for my pocket knives, it would be S90V at 60-62 HRC.
Phil Wilson & Larrin Thomas like it a lot, and that's good enough for me ;)
 
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