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Blade Steels

Zero Tolerance blades are made only of premium, high-performance stainless steels that provide the characteristics most desirable in pocketknives.

CPM 20CV

This Crucible powdered metallurgy tool steel has a high volume of vanadium carbides for exceptional wear resistance and edge retention. The highest level of chromium of any high-vanadium steel gives it excellent corrosion resistance.

HRC: 59–61

TOUGHNESS: 6/10

EDGE RETENTION: 9/10

CORROSION RESISTANCE: 7/10

SHARPENING EASE: 2/10

CPM 20CV diagramCPM 20CV diagram

CPM 3V

A high carbon tool steel that resists edge chipping with superior toughness. It has a high volume of vanadium carbides for greater wear resistance and hardness.

HRC: 58-60

TOUGHNESS: 9/10

EDGE RETENTION: 5/10

CORROSION RESISTANCE: 5.5/10

SHARPENING EASE: 6/10

CPM 3V diagramCPM 3V diagram

CPM S30V      

Large carbides in this all-around premium knife steel make it take and hold an edge extremely well; it is also very tough and wear resistant.

HRC: 59.5–61

TOUGHNESS: 5/10

EDGE RETENTION: 7/10

CORROSION RESISTANCE: 7/10

SHARPENING EASE: 5/10

CPM S30V diagramCPM S30V diagram

CPM S35VN        

Crucible's S35VN modifies the formula of S30V for enhanced toughness and resistance to edge chipping with no loss of wear resistance. Its formula promotes the formation of niobium carbides along with the vanadium and chromium carbides. It provides a sharper, longer lasting edge.

HRC: 60-62

TOUGHNESS: 6/10

EDGE RETENTION: 8/10

CORROSION RESISTANCE: 7/10

SHARPENING EASE: 5/10

CPM S35VN diagramCPM S35VN diagram

Steel Elements

Carbon (C) Chromium (Cr) Molybdenum (Mo) Vanadium (V) Tungsten (W) Cobalt (Co) Nickel (Ni) Manganese (Mn) Silicon (Si) Sulphur (S) Phosphous (P) Copper (Cu)  Niobium (Nb) Nitrogen (N)
CPM 20CV 1.9% 20% 1% 4% 0.6%
CPM 3V 0.8% 7.5% 1.3% 2.75% -
CPM S30V 1.45% 14% 2% 4% 0.2%
CPM S35VN 1.4% 14% 2% 3% 0.5%