CPM S35VN is the refinement of S30V the industry had been waiting for. The addition of niobium produces a finer carbide structure that makes it measurably tougher than its predecessor while maintaining — and often improving — edge retention and corrosion resistance. It's also easier to grind and finish, which drove significant adoption among custom makers who wanted serious stainless performance. In the custom world, S35VN is a baseline for what a premium stainless folder should feel like. When a maker specifies it, they're signaling that they care about the details.