CPM 3V is known today as one of the toughest steels in use for knives, but its story stretches back decades before it was introduced in 1997. Designed by Crucible Industries through their particle metallurgy process, 3V was created to solve a problem toolmakers had long wrestled with: how to combine extreme toughness with useful wear resistance. Previous steels forced compromises; shock-resistant alloys like S7 could withstand punishment but dulled quickly, while wear-resistant steels like D2 held an edge but were prone to chipping. With 3V, Crucible set out to create something that could do both, and the result became a benchmark steel for hard-use knives and tools.

The foundation for CPM 3V dates back to the 1960s. In 1964, Harry Johnstin of Vasco Metals Corporation filed a patent for a new hot-forging die steel. This alloy, known as Vasco Die, was formulated with moderate carbon and chromium along with vanadium, giving it impressive toughness and good wear resistance for its time. Advertising for Vasco Die promoted it as offering twice the toughness of D2 and wear resistance far beyond A2. For tooling applications like dies and punches, Vasco Die became a workhorse.

The Vasco family grew with refinements like Vasco Tuf, which emphasized even greater toughness, and Vasco Wear, which was tailored for high hardness and superior wear resistance. Vasco Wear, introduced in the 1970s, incorporated additional tungsten and vanadium to create a more abrasion-resistant steel. By the late 1970s, it had made its way into knives. A 1979 issue of Knife World reported on custom knifemaker Ted Dowell experimenting with Vasco Wear, praising its incredible edge retention. Despite its tendency to stain, makers and users valued its cutting ability. By 1987, even production companies like Gerber were offering knives in Vasco Wear, cementing its reputation as a capable but demanding alloy.

These steels defined what became known as the “8 percent chromium die steels,” bridging the gap between A2 and D2 in both toughness and wear resistance. They offered toolmakers options tailored to different needs, and they caught the attention of steel companies worldwide. Variants such as Daido DC53 in 1987, Hitachi SLD10 in 1989, and Uddeholm Sleipner in 1998 all followed in the footsteps of the Vasco lineage.

When the Vasco patents expired in the early 1980s, Crucible took advantage of the opportunity. They introduced Cru-Wear in 1994, their version of Vasco Wear, aimed at industrial markets but quickly noticed by knifemakers for its performance. At the same time, Crucible began exploring how its particle metallurgy process could reimagine the Vasco steels. Powder metallurgy was a breakthrough for tool steels: by atomizing molten steel into powder and then consolidating it, the resulting alloy had much smaller, more evenly distributed carbides than conventional ingot steels. This eliminated the large carbide networks that often acted as crack starters, dramatically improving toughness without sacrificing wear resistance.

It didn’t take long for knifemakers to take notice. By the early 2000s, custom makers and small shops began to experiment with 3V in large fixed blades, survival knives, and chopping tools. These were the kinds of knives that demanded the very properties 3V had been designed to deliver. Batoning wood, chopping through knots, or prying in the field often spelled disaster for steels like D2, which could chip under impact. With 3V, makers could grind thinner, sharper edges that cut efficiently yet resisted catastrophic failure. Compared to A2, long a favorite for bushcraft and outdoor knives, 3V held an edge longer and was less prone to deformation. Against simple high-carbon steels like 1095, which have long been popular for outdoor knives, CPM 3V stayed sharp far longer while offering a level of toughness that allowed it to withstand the same kind of heavy field use without the same risk of edge damage.

As the steel gained traction, companies like Cold Steel helped bring it into broader circulation, showcasing its toughness in their large fixed blades and outdoor models. More recently, Toor Knives has also embraced CPM 3V, offering it in several of their heavy-duty fixed blade designs aimed at military, tactical, and outdoor users. Alongside these larger companies, Carothers Performance Knives became well known for pushing the limits of 3V through precision heat treating and design, producing blades that enthusiasts often regard as some of the toughest available. Together, these makers demonstrated just how durable and reliable 3V could be in the field, solidifying its reputation as a steel built for abuse.

Of course, it was not without trade-offs. With 7.5 percent chromium, 3V sits below the stainless threshold of around 13 percent, meaning it will rust if neglected. For knife users accustomed to stainless steels like S30V or 154CM, this meant extra care was required; simply wiping it down after use and occasionally applying oil was usually sufficient. The reward for that maintenance is a steel that can take hits and keep cutting, a trade many outdoorsmen and survivalists consider more than worthwhile.

Today, CPM 3V occupies a respected place in the knife steel landscape. It isn’t the most wear-resistant steel available, nor is it stainless, but it remains one of the toughest practical choices. For knives that must endure the harshest use, from wilderness survival to heavy chopping, it is still one of the most trusted alloys available.

From its industrial origins to its widespread use in knives, CPM 3V’s journey illustrates how thoughtful design and manufacturing innovation can create an alloy that thrives far beyond its initial purpose. For over a quarter century, it has proven itself not only in tooling but in the hands of knife users around the world, carrying forward the Vasco legacy in a form that can withstand the toughest challenges.