M390 (and CTS-204P) vs. S90v (and CTS-20CP) Across the Board

[cm_bushman]

This is more of a theoretical question, since I know the differences are likely trivial, and I don't have any knives in either of these steels at present (I have also searched the forums with spotty results).

Much is made about the wear resistance of m390 and s90v (and by extension, the CTS alloys), but it is harder to find comparisons in the category of toughness. As far as I can tell, at similar hardness (let's say 62RC), they are very close in toughness, with a slight edge going to m390 due to the 3rd-gen PM process and the presence of Tungsten and more Chrome, but s90v winning by a hair in edge retention due to higher Vanadium carbide levels(this last thanks to an "Ankerson shootout"). Does this wash?

I know none of these steels are the first one would reach for as chopper material, but it has made me wonder. How does the toughness and wear resistance od m390 and s90v compare? Also, are the Carpenter alloys really just "copies" of the aforementioned steels, or is there a difference that the elemental composition doesn't allude to? I assume they are cleaner than the 1st-Generation PM steels like s90v, but everything I've seen points to fairly identical twins to the Bohler and Crucible offerings.

 

[Ankerson]

They will be about the same toughness wise, think around the same as D2 toughness wise.

This is just in general, it can and will vary as all things steel.

Believe me M390 isn't brittle by any means, I stabbed concrete more than once (not on purpose) with my Survive! GSO 4.1 and had almost no damage all at other than a slight roll that was fixed in seconds.

 

[cm_bushman]

Thanks Ankerson, I know you're the man to see about steel! I've had my eye on a GSO 4.1 since the preorder, I've just never had the funds for one (wish I had jumped on early now!).