Blade Steels
Zero Tolerance blades are made only of premium, high-performance stainless steels that provide the characteristics most desirable in pocketknives.
CPM Cru-Wear
A balanced, high-performance formula, this tool steel excels in toughness for hard use. It also features solid edge retention, and users can easily sharpen this steel in the field.
HRC: 62-64
EDGE RETENTION: 5.5/10
TOUGHNESS: 8/10
CORROSION RESISTANCE: 5.5/10
SHARPENING EASE: 6/10
CPM S45VN
S45VN powdered metallurgy tool steel has high vanadium/niobium content for very tough carbides (edge retention) and high chromium for increased corrosion resistance.
HRC: 59–61
EDGE RETENTION: 9/10
TOUGHNESS: 5/10
CORROSION RESISTANCE: 9/10
SHARPENING EASE: 4/10
CPM 20CV
This powdered metallurgy tool steel has a high volume of vanadium carbides for exceptional wear resistance and edge retention. The highest level of chromium of any high-vanadium steel gives it excellent corrosion resistance.
HRC: 59–61
EDGE RETENTION: 9/10
TOUGHNESS: 6/10
CORROSION RESISTANCE: 7/10
SHARPENING EASE: 2/10
CPM 3V
A high carbon tool steel that resists edge chipping with superior toughness. It has a high volume of vanadium carbides for greater wear resistance and hardness.
HRC: 59-61
EDGE RETENTION: 5/10
TOUGHNESS: 9/10
CORROSION RESISTANCE: 5.5/10
SHARPENING EASE: 6/10
CPM S30V
Large carbides in this all-around premium knife steel make it take and hold an edge extremely well; it is also very tough and wear resistant.
HRC: 59.5–61
EDGE RETENTION: 7/10
TOUGHNESS: 5/10
CORROSION RESISTANCE: 7/10
SHARPENING EASE: 5/10
CPM S35VN
S35VN modifies the formula of S30V for enhanced toughness and resistance to edge chipping with no loss of wear resistance. Its formula promotes the formation of niobium carbides along with the vanadium and chromium carbides. It provides a sharper, longer lasting edge.
HRC: 60-62
EDGE RETENTION: 8/10
TOUGHNESS: 6/10
CORROSION RESISTANCE: 7/10
SHARPENING EASE: 5/10
CPM MagnaCut
This powdered metallurgy steel eliminates chromium during heat treatment, allowing for vanadium and niobium to form greater carbides near the cutting edge. This formula creates an exceptional balance of edge retention, toughness, and corrosion resistance.
HRC: 62-64
EDGE RETENTION: 7.5/10
TOUGHNESS: 8/10
CORROSION RESISTANCE: 9/10
SHARPENING EASE: 2/10
CPM M4
The formula for this premium tool steel includes high amounts of vanadium and molybdenum. This composition creates exceptional edge retention and toughness.
HRC: 60-62
EDGE RETENTION: 9/10
TOUGHNESS: 7/10
CORROSION RESISTANCE: 2/10
SHARPENING EASE: 3/10
Steel Elements
| Blade Steels | Carbon (C) | Chromium (Cr) | Chromium (Cr) | Vanadium (V) | Tungsten (W) | Cobalt (Co) | Nickel (Ni) | Manganese (Mn) | Silicon (Si) | Sulphur (S) | Phosphous (P) | Copper (Cu) | Niobium (Nb) | Nitrogen (N) |
| CPM 20CV | 1.9% | 20% | 1% | 4% | 0.6% | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| CPM 3V | 0.8% | 7.5% | 1.3% | 2.75% | - | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| CPM S30V | 1.45% | 14% | 2% | 4% | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | 0.2% |
| CPM S35VN | 1.4% | 14% | 2% | 3% | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | 0.5% | – |
| CPM MagnaCut | 1.15% | 10.7% | 2% | 4% | - | – | – | - | - | – | – | – | 2% | 0.2% |
| CPM M4 | 1.4% | 4% | 5.2% | 4% | 5.5% | – | – | 0.3% | 0.55% | 0.06% | 0.03% | – | 2 | 0.2% |