M390 or 20cv

Dallas T

Dallas T

Joined
Apr 6, 2013
Messages
1,504
simple if u had to pick, which would you? Would you even notice a difference?
 
I mean on paper they're all the same... but I'd go with 20CV. Maybe I'm just crazy but it's so much nicer to work with on the grinder compared to M390. If anything I can source much flatter and nicer bars of 20CV than M390 so maybe that's the issue haha.
 
It would have to be the same exact knife with a choice of the two steels, otherwise the knife would be the deciding factor rather than the steel. If given the same knife with the option for one steel or the other, I doubt I'd care but my gut says 20cv just because less makers use it and I like being a little different.
 
They perform the same IMO, but 20CV seems to be a more aggressive cutter. Honestly I like both equally, they are both fantastic! My favorite small knife steel for sure!
 
Yeah it depends on who makes what. If it's the same exact knife I guess 20cv. M390 didn't wow me like I thought it would . I will take elmax over both
 
Same knife benchmade grip, contemplating building custom or the knife works exclusive m390
 
The steels are basically the same but depending on the knife, they may be desired differently. One good example is ZT 0562cf. M390 was replaced by cts-204p and also 20cv I believe, hence the knife with M390 steel has been sold with higher price in the secondary market than in 204p or 20cv.
 
As a maker, I prefer 20cv for the simple reason that in bar/sheet form M390 comes with the HIP canister still on the outside, which then needs to be surface ground off, and as a hobbyist I don't have a surface grinder. Performance wise I have not noticed a difference.
 
sharp_edge said:
The steels are basically the same but depending on the knife, they may be desired differently. One good example is ZT 0562cf. M390 was replaced by cts-204p and also 20cv I believe, hence the knife with M390 steel has been sold with higher price in the secondary market than in 204p or 20cv.
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which is dumb, but collectors have a thing for the rare, so the price is artificially inflated because of them in some brands of knife like the ZT 0562CF. the m390 version was first production and now rare because they are now made in cts-204p or 20cv. the steel choices are based off of whats available, and being that all 3 are the basically the same, the only reason why the m390 versions are so expensive is because they are more rare. kinda dumb if you ask me, but thats the world of knafs.

in any case, all 3 are very similar. they are each made differently with different process's and different grain sizes. but overall they are the very close in composition and are all powdered steel and should end up similarly in the end. it would be great if someone could do some actual real world testing to show the differences in the real world, rather than assumptions, but with so many variables unless they are the same blade, different results will occur due to different blade geometries.

get whatever one you like between the three. here is Ankersons testing. .. note that the only 20CV one is a custom knife with a very good blade for slicing, so its not really comparable to the production knives, but m390 and 204p are pretty close on the list in cutting rope. http://www.bladeforums.com/threads/...ed-on-edge-retention-cutting-5-8-rope.793481/
 
navman said:
As a maker, I prefer 20cv for the simple reason that in bar/sheet form M390 comes with the HIP canister still on the outside, which then needs to be surface ground off, and as a hobbyist I don't have a surface grinder. Performance wise I have not noticed a difference.
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That's crazy! Do you get a discount for doing their job for them? I don't imagine the canister metal is desirable for cutlery. (Shaking my head)
 
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