M390 vs S35VN in a Hinderer XM-18

R

rexbo

Joined
Dec 12, 2016
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OK,

I can find the same knife (same grind) in both steels available for the same price... So,what is the consensus here? Is there a clear choice?

Thanks for any/all input!
 
I've never owned a Hinderer. I've had knives in both steels, but haven't really used the S35VN knives. M390 is outstanding in all regards, and seems to me like it usually costs more, too? So if they're the same price, it might be a winner just based on that.
 
M390 has better edge retention and corrosion resistance than S35VN. For use in a folder M390 all day long over S35VN
 
I used an M390 XM to cut up some carpet and buggered up the edge pretty good.
I was pretty surprised.
I was also surprised at how quick and easy it was to get it back to new with some higher grit belts on the Work Sharp.
 
The m390 xm has no choil and the s35vn does. Depending on whether one look appeals to you more, that may be something to consider. For my XMs, I have s35vn and one in 20cv (almost identical to m390). Both perform quite well.
 
I'll always advocate for M390 of S35VN but with Hinderer outsourcing everything who knows.
 
S35VN is tougher, so for a hard use knife it might make more sense. However, I doubt the difference would be noticeable. 3V would make a ton of sense in a Hinderer.
 
M390.

To me S35VN is an alternative to S30V, more like different flavor, but in the same league. Generally speaking, I consider m390 in a level up. Considering all aspects such as edge holding, easy to sharpen, toughness, etc; m390 is my ultimate steel of choice.
 
Biginboca said:
M390 has better edge retention and corrosion resistance than S35VN. For use in a folder M390 all day long over S35VN
Click to expand...

Edge retention or abrasion resistance? If one is more inclined to chip than another, it has a edge retention problem.

I have a 4" Survive! in M390, and so far, so good. YMMV
 
I have XM-18's in both. M390 seems to hold the edge better but S35VN is by no means a slouch either. I use both regularly and like both. Only other difference would be appearance, really, as someone mentioned above.

M390 XM's have no choil, S35's have choil. So if you're okay with either steel then you have to go with personal preference on the choil. I used to be anti-no choil but after DLT got the no-choil M390's I picked one up and I really like it. Looking for one in 20CV which seems the hardest to find these days retail. At least where I've been looking.
 
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I have spantos in both s35vn and 20cv, and I can not tell any difference between the steels. As a few guys have mentioned, whether or not the knife has a choil will make a much bigger difference than the steel. The choil is something I really appreciate about the knife, so this new m390 version does not appeal to me. Others seem to really appreciate the extra edge length, so I consider it a good thing that both versions are available.
 
I'd take that graph with a huge grain of salt, the corrosion resistance in real world use seems way off, CTS-BD1 i've found is much more corrosive resistant than S30v and VG10.
 
SunOfAtom said:
I have spantos in both s35vn and 20cv, and I can not tell any difference between the steels. As a few guys have mentioned, whether or not the knife has a choil will make a much bigger difference than the steel. The choil is something I really appreciate about the knife, so this new m390 version does not appeal to me. Others seem to really appreciate the extra edge length, so I consider it a good thing that both versions are available.
Click to expand...

Same here, the choil on my 20CV 3.5 is nice. I'd still grab a non choil M390 though.
 
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