Best edge retention knife steels
Holds a working edge the longest between sharpenings — measured by tests like CATRA. The trade-off is harder sharpening and (often) lower toughness.
| Steel | Type | HRC | Edge | Corrosion | Toughness | Tier | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CPM-S90V PM | Stainless | 59-62 | extreme | high | low | Super / high-end | Knives → |
| CPM-S110V PM | Stainless | 60-63 | extreme | very high | low | Super / high-end | Knives → |
| CPM-10V PM | Tool & high-speed | 60-64 | extreme | low | medium | Super / high-end | Knives → |
| Böhler K390 PM | Tool & high-speed | 62-65 | extreme | low | medium | Super / high-end | Knives → |
| CPM REX 45 PM | Tool & high-speed | 62-66 | extreme | low | medium | Super / high-end | Knives → |
| CPM Maxamet PM | Tool & high-speed | 64-68 | extreme | low | low | Super / high-end | Knives → |
| CPM-S45VN PM | Stainless | 59-62 | very high | very high | medium | Premium | Knives → |
| CPM MagnaCut PM | Stainless | 60-64 | very high | very high | very high | Premium | Knives → |
| Böhler M390 PM | Stainless | 60-62 | very high | very high | medium | Super / high-end | Knives → |
| CPM-20CV PM | Stainless | 59-62 | very high | very high | medium | Super / high-end | Knives → |
| CTS-204P PM | Stainless | 59-62 | very high | very high | medium | Super / high-end | Knives → |
| ZDP-189 PM | Stainless | 64-67 | very high | medium | low | Super / high-end | Knives → |
Other priorities: Most corrosion-resistant · Toughest · Best value · by use: EDC / folders · Kitchen · Outdoor / bushcraft · Hard-use / survival · Budget