Shootout: M390 vs S90V CF Military's Edge retention on 5/8" Manila rope

The Mastiff said:
Jim, thanks for taking the time to run the test, and post it here. I like your particular style of testing and can follow it without going off on tangents and trying to look up other published stuff to see if the names dropped were in fact relevant to this particular test. :)

The M390-S90V head to head was one a lot of us wanted to see.

I still would like to get you the cruwear mule for you to fit in when you get time. I'll be glad to buy some rope for you too with a donation as you know better what to get.

Thanks again,

Joe
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Joe,

Have to get over there to get it one day. :D

Both the knives ended up pretty dull so this was a much harder testing process that the normal polished edge testing for the categories as the knives cut a lot longer and it really shows the larger Vanadium content in the S90V will make a real difference when really pushed to the limit.
 
This is a real testament to the capabilities of lower vanadium steels when they are much more scientifically designed. M390 is fairly new tech right? And S90V has been around since the late 90s as 420V right? Okay, I know S99V isn't exactly old school, but these newer Bohler steels are almost futuristic in their performance considering how well they sharpen and resist corrosion, not to mention the reasonable toughness of M390.

I am blown away by how close it was, and for me, M390 sharpens up easier and takes a keener edge too.

Good test, I have an HTM Gunhammer in S90V coming this year, should be a monster at 60-61 Hrc.

Thanks for another excellent test Jim.

-Chris
 
TriviaMonster said:
This is a real testament to the capabilities of lower vanadium steels when they are much more scientifically designed. M390 is fairly new tech right? And S90V has been around since the late 90s as 420V right? Okay, I know S99V isn't exactly old school, but these newer Bohler steels are almost futuristic in their performance considering how well they sharpen and resist corrosion, not to mention the reasonable toughness of M390.

I am blown away by how close it was, and for me, M390 sharpens up easier and takes a keener edge too.

Good test, I have an HTM Gunhammer in S90V coming this year, should be a monster at 60-61 Hrc.

Thanks for another excellent test Jim.

-Chris
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M390 has been around for along time, just not used in knives until recently.

It's the alloy content, still has a good amount of Vanadium but with that 20% Chromium and certain HT tempering processes a lot of Chromium is transferred into Carbides along with Molybdenum and Tungsten.
 
I'd like to add my thanks for another excellent, test with easy to understand results and comments to questions. Thanks Jim! :thumbup:
 
Hey Jim great test and I was wondering something? I'm in on a HTM forum Gunhammer with S90v and the Hrc is going to be 60-62 I believe, is it ok to take s90v to 62? thanks
 
jwolf90 said:
Hey Jim great test and I was wondering something? I'm in on a HTM forum Gunhammer with S90v and the Hrc is going to be 60-62 I believe, is it ok to take s90v to 62? thanks
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I doubt they will get S90V to 62 HRC, 61 HRC would be about max.
 
Ankerson said:
Been wanting to do this for awhile, a direct straight edge retention comparison between these two steels. They are very close in performance, closer than some would believe. Both knives are CF Sprint run Military's sharpened to 400 grit Congress Moldmaster finish at 15 degrees per side. This leaves IMO the optimal edge finish for maximum edge retention and cutting efficiency.
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Do you know how the 400 grit (or 600) Congress compare to the fine side of a Norton Crystalon? I keep looking for another SiC stone that might be a bit more refined than my Norton, but still have all the advantages of a hard silicon carbide stone.
 
HeavyHanded said:
Do you know how the 400 grit (or 600) Congress compare to the fine side of a Norton Crystalon? I keep looking for another SiC stone that might be a bit more refined than my Norton, but still have all the advantages of a hard silicon carbide stone.
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Yes, it's much finer than the Norton fine stone. :)
 
I think that you have guessed these basic results in the past, but am happy that you have finally run the actual tests. Lots of us have been wondering...and of course, we seem to have much easier (cheaper) access to M390 than S90V. Of course, either one is excellent. Thanks, Jim, for your time and continuing effort to educate us.
Don
 
Hello Ankerson,

sorry for reviving the old thread, but instead asking this on my thread I thought it made more sense asking direct to you: what does M390 do better than S90V?
And, taking the example of the Benchmade Nakamura (the knife I will probably buy), which can come in 59-61 S90V or 60-62 M390, which should perform better in edge retention?
You mention "S90V has the edge at same HRC"...
 
Big Chris said:
That is great. I have been wondering how the two would compare. Been wanting to make some more stainless knives and guess I will go with more S90V.

Thanks for the time to do this evaluation, it answers curiosities.

Chris
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S90V is a BITCH to do initial sharpening on.
 
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