S35VN is the most accessible super steel. Here are seven folders that prove it.
S35VN isn't the flashiest steel on any spec sheet. It's not the hardest, not the most wear-resistant, not the one that gets the most forum posts. What it is, consistently and quietly, is excellent, and available at prices that make it the most democratic entry point into genuinely premium blade steel.
CPM S35VN is Crucible Industries' refinement of S30V, adding niobium carbides to improve toughness without giving up much of the edge retention that made S30V famous. The result is a steel that takes a keen edge, holds it well under daily use, resists corrosion better than most steels at its tier, and is significantly less brittle than the harder, more wear-resistant powders. It sharpens on a whetstone without requiring specialized equipment. It doesn't chip. It doesn't rust if you forget to dry it. For a carry knife that goes in and out of pockets dozens of times a day and mostly cuts cardboard, rope, food, and packaging, these are the properties that matter most.
S35VN shows up in custom knives at five times the price of the knives on this list. It shows up as the standard spec on Chris Reeve Sebenzas. The fact that it's accessible at $70 in a production knife that's made well is one of the better value propositions in the current market. Here are seven folders that make the argument.
"S35VN at $70 in a production knife with a hollow grind and a choice of two lock types. The Begleiter 2.9 is the most straightforward argument for why S35VN has become the default mid-tier steel."
The Kizer Begleiter 2.9 starts at $70 for the button liner lock version and goes to $120 for the clutch lock DLC variant. At either price, you're getting a 2.97" S35VN blade with a hollow grind, machined aluminum handles, ceramic ball bearings, and a reversible deep-carry clip. The hollow grind makes this one of the better slicers in its price tier, and Azo's design keeps the proportions clean and the carry profile slim. Available in multiple colorways and two lock types. If you want S35VN and you don't want to spend more than you have to, this is the starting point.
"A traditional American slip joint in S35VN, made in Bradford, Pennsylvania. The Sodbuster Jr. has been around since 1937. The steel has been upgraded. Everything else is exactly as it should be."
Case's Crossroads XR series takes the classic Sodbuster Jr. pattern, which has not changed meaningfully since 1937, and upgrades the blade to S35VN. The result is a slip joint that feels like a traditional carry knife and performs like a modern one. The 2.8" skinner blade shape is as non-threatening as any production knife geometry available, which makes this appropriate across nearly every environment where a knife might be carried. At 2.1 oz it disappears in a pocket. The laminate wood handles come in several color combinations; the micarta variants have a slightly more tactical aesthetic that suits some carries better than others. Made in Bradford, PA. At $70 for USA-made S35VN, the Sodbuster Jr. XR is one of the more underrated value propositions currently in production.
"Ben Petersen designed a knife that doesn't try to impress anyone and ends up impressing everyone. The Banter is the reliable compact folder that S35VN made possible at this price."
The WE Banter has been one of the most consistently recommended mid-tier compact folders since its introduction, and the reason is simple: Ben Petersen designed something that prioritizes function over statement. The 3" S35VN blade has a flat grind that makes it a capable slicer. The ceramic bearings make the action smooth enough to fidget with indefinitely. The deep carry clip keeps it low in the pocket. The thumb stud opens cleanly. Available in G10, micarta, carbon fiber, and wood handles, with enough colorways that you can find one that suits your carry preference. Nothing about the Banter screams for attention, which is exactly the point and exactly why it's been in so many pockets for so many years.
"2.99 inches of S35VN in micarta, with Vosteed's top liner lock. The Psyop 299 is the sub-3-inch carry for the person who wants premium steel without giving up carry-friendliness."
The Vosteed Psyop 299 occupies a specific and useful niche: just under three inches of blade, S35VN, micarta handles, and Vosteed's top liner lock, which keeps your fingers clear of the blade path during closing. The 2.99" blade length keeps it below most jurisdictional thresholds while the S35VN steel means you're not making any performance compromise to get there. The micarta handles provide grip and warmth in a slim profile. For a daily carry knife that needs to be versatile across environments, the Psyop 299 is the S35VN option that prioritizes practicality over everything else.
"S35VN in a titanium frame lock with a sheepsfoot blade. The Takahe is what S35VN looks like when the platform around it is doing its part."
The Kizer Takahe pairs S35VN with titanium handles and a frame lock, which is the combination that makes S35VN feel like a premium material rather than a budget upgrade. The sheepsfoot blade removes the piercing tip and delivers a long, controlled edge that handles fine cutting work better than most drop point geometries at this size. Available in stonewash and DLC finishes. At $150-170 this is the most expensive knife on this list, and it earns that tier with the material combination: S35VN and titanium, made well, is a carry setup that ages gracefully and requires minimal maintenance beyond occasional sharpening.
"Andrew Demko's Shark Lock in S35VN at $130. The AD20.5 is the knife that makes the case for a locking mechanism that most people have never encountered, and converts almost everyone who holds one."
The Demko AD20.5 is the production version of one of the more interesting mechanical arguments in the folding knife market. The Shark Lock uses a spring-loaded fin on the spine of the handle that both locks the blade open and doubles as a thumb ramp during cutting. Push the fin forward to release, and the blade folds on ball bearings. It's fully ambidextrous, fast, and satisfying in a way that most locks aren't. The S35VN blade comes in two shapes, clip point and shark foot, each with its own character. The G10 handles are milled for grip. At $130 for S35VN and the Shark Lock mechanism, the AD20.5 is the knife that answers "what should I try next after I've carried a liner lock for a year?"
"S35VN, the Demko Shark Lock, and a modular build system that makes the Arcade more your knife every time you carry it. At $199 this is the S35VN carry for the person who wants to put some personality into the platform."
The Flytanium Arcade is the most expensive knife on this list and the most openly enthusiast-oriented. The S35VN blade is the baseline; what distinguishes the Arcade is the build around it. Flytanium licensed the Demko Shark Lock and built an anodized aluminum handle system with swappable inlays, replaceable thumb studs, and aftermarket compatibility that lets you configure the knife across an enormous range of color combinations and handle aesthetics. Every Arcade ships with an extra set of inlays. Flytanium's warranty covers the knife even if you've disassembled it yourself, which is either a very confident warranty or an accurate description of who buys this knife. For the carrier who wants S35VN as the foundation and the ability to make the knife genuinely theirs as the experience, the Arcade is the answer at the top of this list.