Is S35VN the Best Steel for EDC Knives? What You Need to Know

You’ve heard of S35VN, but is it actually the best steel for EDC?

If you’ve spent any time looking at pocket knives, you’ve seen S35VN pop up in spec sheets and YouTube reviews. People talk about it like it’s the perfect all-around steel for everyday carry. It’s almost become the “safe bet” for premium knives.

Here’s the thing: a lot of claims about knife steel get repeated without much explanation. Is S35VN actually as good as everyone says? It’s a fair question.

In this article, we’re breaking it down—what makes S35VN special, how it stacks up against other steels, and whether it’s worth considering for your next knife.

What makes a steel “good” for EDC, anyway?

When it comes to picking a blade steel, there’s no single best answer. A steel’s performance depends on how it balances a few key traits and what you need from your knife day to day.

Here are the main things that matter for everyday carry:

• Edge retention: How long the blade stays sharp before needing a touch-up.
• Corrosion resistance: How well it stands up to rust and staining, especially when exposed to sweat, moisture, or salty environments.
• Toughness: The ability to resist chipping, cracking, or breaking under stress.
• Easy to sharpen: How simple it is to get the blade back to sharp when it does get dull.

Some steels hold an edge forever, but they’re more brittle and susceptible to chipping. Others are tough but need frequent sharpening. The trick is finding the right balance of all four traits for your daily use. If you think you’ve found a steel that’s perfect at all of them, let us know.

What sets S35VN apart in the real world

S35VN didn't appear out of nowhere. It was designed by Crucible Industries in collaboration with Chris Reeve Knives as an upgrade to S30V, which was already considered a premium steel. The purpose was simple: create something tough, corrosion-resistant, and easy to maintain without sacrificing edge retention.

That balance is where S35VN excels. It is tough enough to handle real-world cutting without chipping, holds an edge for a long time and can still be sharpened without frustration. This combination is why so many knife makers continue to use it years after its release.

It is not the hardest steel available, and it doesn't have the absolute best edge retention. However, most users don't need a steel that stays sharp through extreme use if it means sharpening becomes a challenge. Most find that S35VN strikes the right balance—strong, reliable, and practical for everyday carry.

S35VN vs. other popular knife steels

We said most find that it strikes the right balance, but not all. Here's how S35VN stacks up against a few steels you’ll see in the same conversations:

• M390: A true super steel known for incredible edge retention and corrosion resistance. It beats S35VN in those areas, but it’s harder to sharpen and usually comes with a higher price tag.
• 154CM: A solid mid-tier option that’s been trusted for decades. It’s easier to sharpen and more affordable than S35VN, but it doesn’t match S35VN's edge retention or toughness.
• 14C28N: A great budget-friendly stainless steel that’s easy to sharpen and resists rust well. However, it falls short on edge retention and toughness compared to S35VN.
• Magnacut: A steel designed to offer a strong balance of toughness, corrosion resistance, and edge retention. It aims to perform better than S35VN in some areas but typically comes at a higher cost.

All of these steels have earned their place in the industry for good reasons. None of them are bad choices. It really comes down to what you want in a knife. Whether you prioritize edge retention, ease of maintenance, cost or the latest advancements, there’s a steel that fits your needs. S35VN hits a strong middle ground, which is why so many makers rely on it for everyday carry knives.

Performance in the real world – does the steel actually matter?

Once you're dealing with high-quality steels like S35VN, M390 or Magnacut, the differences in performance start to narrow for most everyday users. If you're not pushing your knife hard, you're unlikely to notice dramatic gaps between them. Things like edge geometry, how you maintain your knife, and how you actually use it often make the bigger difference.

That’s why it’s more helpful to think in terms of trade-offs. If you want a knife that stays sharp for a long time but don’t mind spending extra effort to resharpen it, something like M390 might be worth it. If you’d rather touch up your edge quickly and move on, steels like 154CM or 14C28N could be the better fit. Steels like S35VN sit right in the middle—they hold an edge well, resist rust, and sharpen without too much hassle. For many, that’s the sweet spot for an EDC knife.

So? Is it the best?

As you may have guessed by now, there’s no one steel that’s objectively the best for everyone. It all depends on what you’re looking for.

No, S35VN doesn’t win every category. It won’t hold an edge as long as M390, and it’s not as easy to sharpen as 14C28N, but that’s not the point. It’s about balance. S35VN delivers dependable performance across the board without leaning too hard in any one direction.

If your goal is to find something that does a lot of things well and doesn’t come with major compromises, S35VN is a strong contender. It might not be the best in every technical sense. You can spend a lot more and get something with higher performance. For a lot of people, though it ends up being the best fit.

Final thoughts

Choosing the right blade steel for your everyday carry knife isn’t about finding the “best” in an absolute sense. It’s about finding what fits your needs, your budget, and how you actually use the knife.

S35VN has earned its spot because it strikes a solid balance between edge retention, toughness, corrosion resistance, and ease of sharpening. It’s not perfect, but it’s reliable. It’s versatile. And it’s been proven in the hands of makers and users alike.

If you’re looking for a steel that gets out of your way and just works well day after day, S35VN deserves a serious look. Just remember that a knife is more than its steel—fit, finish, design, and how you care for it all matter just as much.

Whether you pick S35VN or something else, focus on what works best for you. That’s the real key to having a knife that’s ready every day. If you don't have it with you, it can't help you.

Explore Trueline’s lineup to discover thoughtfully designed products built for everyday use!