What is CPM MagnaCut Steel?

CPM MagnaCut is currently considered the "holy grail" of knife steels. Developed by metallurgist Larrin Thomas (author of Knife Steel Nerds) and produced by Crucible Industries, it was specifically designed to solve the age-old trade-off in blade steel: the sacrifice of toughness or corrosion resistance for edge retention.

Unlike almost every other steel before it, MagnaCut manages to excel in all three major categories simultaneously.

Key Characteristics

• Extreme Corrosion Resistance: Despite having "only" 10.7% Chromium, it is more rust-resistant than almost any other stainless steel (including M390 and S45VN). This is because it is designed with zero chromium carbides, leaving all the chromium free to protect against rust.

• High Toughness: It is exceptionally durable and resistant to chipping, performing more like a high-toughness tool steel (like CPM Cru-Wear or 4V) than a typical brittle stainless steel.

• Excellent Edge Retention: It holds a sharp edge as well as (or better than) premium steels like CPM S35VN. It typically operates at a high hardness of 60–64 HRC.

• Ease of Sharpening: Because the carbides are very fine and uniform, it is surprisingly easy to sharpen compared to "super steels" with similar edge retention like S90V.

Chemical Composition

The "magic" of MagnaCut lies in its unique chemistry, which eliminates chromium carbides in favor of harder vanadium and niobium carbides:

• Carbon (C): 1.10%

• Chromium (Cr): 10.70% (Low for a stainless steel, but highly effective due to the lack of carbides).

• Vanadium (V): 4.00% (For wear resistance).

• Molybdenum (Mo): 2.00%

• Niobium (Nb): 2.00% (Refines grain and adds wear resistance).

• Nitrogen (N): 0.20%

Common Applications

Since its release in 2021, it has taken over the high-end knife market:

• Premium EDC Knives: Now a standard choice for flagship models from Chris Reeve Knives (Sebenza 31), Spyderco (Salt series), and Benchmade.

• Saltwater/Marine Knives: Because it is virtually rust-proof, it has replaced H1 and LC200N in many diving and fishing applications.

• Custom Fixed Blades: Ideal for hunters and hikers who want a high-performance blade that won't break or rust in the field.

How it Compares