Magnacut Steel for knives

Magnacut Steel vs. Other Knife Steels: Which is Best for Your Blade?

Magnacut steel has revolutionized the knife industry with its exceptional balance of edge retention, toughness, and corrosion resistance. Developed by metallurgist Dr. Larrin Thomas, Magnacut has become a go-to choice for premium knife manufacturers. But how does it stack up against other popular steels like CPM-S30V, D2, and 1095? In this article, we compare Magnacut steel with other widely used knife steels and highlight knife models and brands that showcase these materials.

What is Magnacut Steel?

Magnacut is a proprietary stainless steel specifically engineered for knife-making. Unlike other steels that excel in one or two attributes, Magnacut achieves an exceptional balance of hardness, corrosion resistance, and toughness. With a hardness range of 62-64 HRC, Magnacut holds a razor-sharp edge, resists wear, and handles impact stresses effectively.

Some popular knife brands using Magnacut include:

  • Benchmade: Featured in their premium Hunt series.
  • Spyderco: Seen in limited-edition folding knives like the Spyderco Mule Team series.
  • Chris Reeve Knives: Available in the Sebenza 31 and the Umnumzaan models.

Magnacut Steel vs. CPM-S30V

CPM-S30V, developed by Crucible Industries, is a high-performance steel renowned for its excellent edge retention and corrosion resistance. While it has long been a favorite among knife makers, Magnacut offers several advantages:

Feature Magnacut CPM-S30V
Corrosion Resistance Superior (More resistant) Excellent
Edge Retention Comparable High
Toughness Superior Moderate
Ease of Sharpening Moderate Moderate

While both steels excel in edge retention, Magnacut outperforms CPM-S30V in toughness and corrosion resistance, making it a better all-rounder for both outdoor and EDC applications.

Knife Examples:

  • Magnacut: Chris Reeve Sebenza 31.
  • CPM-S30V: Benchmade Bugout and Spyderco Paramilitary 2.

Magnacut Steel vs. D2 Steel

D2 steel is a semi-stainless tool steel widely used for budget-friendly knives due to its excellent edge retention and hardness. However, it falls short compared to Magnacut in several areas:

Feature Magnacut D2
Corrosion Resistance Superior Poor
Edge Retention Comparable High
Toughness Superior Low
Ease of Sharpening Moderate Moderate

Magnacut’s superior toughness and corrosion resistance make it a more versatile choice, particularly for outdoor and survival applications, where D2’s lack of rust resistance can be a drawback.

Knife Examples:

  • Magnacut: Spyderco Mule Team series.
  • D2: Ontario Rat II and Kershaw Emerson CQC-6K.

Magnacut Steel vs. 1095 High Carbon Steel

1095 is a high-carbon steel known for its exceptional toughness and ease of sharpening. While it’s a favorite for survival and bushcraft knives, it has significant limitations when compared to Magnacut:

Feature Magnacut 1095
Corrosion Resistance Superior Poor
Edge Retention High Moderate
Toughness Superior High
Ease of Sharpening Moderate Easy

1095’s simplicity and affordability are appealing, but its lack of corrosion resistance and moderate edge retention make Magnacut a far more advanced and versatile choice for modern knives.

Knife Examples:

  • Magnacut: Benchmade Hunt series.
  • 1095: ESEE 5 and KA-BAR Becker BK2.

Magnacut Steel vs. CPM-20CV

CPM-20CV is a premium stainless steel often praised for its high edge retention and corrosion resistance. When compared to Magnacut:

Feature Magnacut CPM-20CV
Corrosion Resistance Superior Excellent
Edge Retention High Superior
Toughness Superior Low
Ease of Sharpening Moderate Difficult

Magnacut stands out with better toughness and slightly better corrosion resistance, while CPM-20CV excels in edge retention. The choice depends on whether you prioritize edge retention or all-around performance.

Knife Examples:

  • Magnacut: Chris Reeve Umnumzaan.
  • CPM-20CV: Zero Tolerance ZT 0450 and Benchmade 940-1.