MagnaMax is significantly better than S90V overall. While both offer excellent edge retention, MagnaMax matches or exceeds S90V in wear resistance while delivering far superior toughness and vastly better corrosion resistance—making it a more balanced, practical, and modern steel for real-world use.
Head-to-Head Comparison
| Property | MagnaMax | S90V |
|---|---|---|
| Edge Retention | Excellent – on par with or slightly better than S90V (comparable to K390) | Very high – long considered a benchmark for stainless edge retention |
| Toughness | Much higher – comparable to K390; suitable for hard-use knives | Low to moderate – prone to chipping under stress due to coarse carbides |
| Corrosion Resistance | Exceptional – zero rust in 1% saltwater test; truly stainless | Poor – despite being labeled “stainless,” it rusts easily in humid or wet conditions |
| Carbide Structure | Fine vanadium & niobium carbides (~16% volume); evenly distributed | Coarse vanadium & chromium carbides; large particles hurt toughness |
| Ease of Sharpening | Moderate – challenging but easier than S90V due to finer microstructure | Very difficult – extremely abrasive; slow to sharpen even with diamond stones |
| Real-World Usability | High – ideal for EDC, outdoor, kitchen, and marine applications | Limited – best only for dry, light-duty slicing tasks |
Why MagnaMax Outperforms S90V
✅ 1. Superior Microstructure
- S90V contains large, blocky vanadium and chromium carbides that create stress concentration points, reducing toughness and promoting chipping.
- MagnaMax avoids chromium carbides entirely and uses ultra-fine vanadium-niobium carbides, which provide wear resistance without sacrificing structural integrity.
✅ 2. True Stainless Performance
- Despite its name, S90V is not reliably stainless—its high carbon content ties up chromium, leaving little free chromium to form a protective oxide layer. Many users report rust even with basic care.
- MagnaMax, by contrast, maintains a chromium-rich matrix and passed rigorous saltwater testing with zero rust—making it genuinely corrosion-resistant.
✅ 3. Better Balance of Properties
- S90V prioritizes edge retention at the expense of everything else.
- MagnaMax delivers similar edge retention but adds high toughness + high corrosion resistance, creating a true “best of all worlds” profile.
As the article states:
“MagnaMax achieves edge retention levels previously only seen in non-stainless or poorly corrosion-resistant steels like S90V—but without their drawbacks.”
When Might Someone Still Choose S90V?
- Only if they already own an S90V knife and understand its limitations.
- In very rare cases where maximum theoretical edge retention is the sole priority—and the user accepts poor toughness, rust risk, and difficult maintenance.
But even then, MagnaMax matches or beats S90V in edge retention, so there’s little justification left.
Final Verdict
MagnaMax is the clear winner over S90V.
It represents a generational improvement: same (or better) cutting performance, plus dramatically improved durability, rust resistance, and usability.
For anyone choosing between the two in a new knife—MagnaMax is the smarter, more advanced, and more practical choice.
In short: S90V was once elite. MagnaMax makes it obsolete.
