Why We Chose American-Made S35VN Steel For Our Ford Knife Set

Curtis Wright - Jan 16, 2026

Inside the Steel Behind the Ford F-150 Knife Collection

Steel choice is the single biggest factor in how a knife performs over time.

Edge retention. Toughness. Corrosion resistance. Ease of maintenance. Long-term reliability. All of it starts with the steel.

When designing the Ford × The Cooking Guild F-150 50th Anniversary Knife Collection, there was no room for compromise. The steel had to reflect the same values Ford is known for: strength, durability, and trust earned through real use.

That’s why we chose American-made CPM S35VN steel.

What Is S35VN Steel?

CPM S35VN is a premium powder-metallurgy steel originally developed for high-performance cutting tools and demanding applications where failure is not an option.

Unlike traditional steels that are melted and cast, S35VN is produced using a powder metallurgy process. This creates a far more uniform microstructure, meaning the carbides are evenly distributed throughout the steel.

The result is a blade that offers:

Consistent cutting performance
Greater toughness than older high-hardness steels
Excellent edge stability
Reliable corrosion resistance

In simple terms, S35VN delivers high performance without becoming brittle or fragile.

Why It’s Trusted in Demanding Tools

S35VN isn’t chosen for casual or decorative blades. It’s trusted in environments where tools are pushed hard and expected to last.

This steel is widely used in:

Professional-grade cutting tools
High-end outdoor and utility knives
Equipment where strength and reliability matter more than marketing claims

Its reputation comes from performance under stress. It resists chipping, holds an edge through extended use, and maintains structural integrity even when subjected to lateral forces.

That balance is exactly what we needed for a knife collection designed to work in kitchens, BBQ setups, and outdoor environments.

Edge Retention, Toughness, and Corrosion Resistance

Every steel involves tradeoffs. The goal is choosing the right balance.

Edge Retention
S35VN holds a sharp edge significantly longer than standard stainless steels. That means fewer sharpenings, more consistent cuts, and better performance over time.

Toughness
Where some high-hardness steels become brittle, S35VN maintains toughness. It’s resistant to micro-chipping and edge damage during real-world use, not just controlled test conditions.

Corrosion Resistance
With high chromium content, S35VN offers strong corrosion resistance. It handles moisture, acids, and daily kitchen exposure without constant worry or maintenance.

Together, these qualities make S35VN a steel you can rely on day after day — not one that needs to be babied.

Source refrence Knife Nerds S35VN properties

Why American-Made Steel Mattered

This collection celebrates the Ford F-150, an American icon built on heritage, engineering, and trust.

Using American-made steel wasn’t a marketing decision — it was a values decision.

Sourcing S35VN from the U.S. ensures:

Consistent metallurgical standards
Proven quality control
Traceable material origins

Just as Ford vehicles are engineered to meet demanding standards, the steel in this collection reflects that same level of accountability.

It also reinforces the idea that this knife collection isn’t a novelty. It’s a serious tool built with serious materials.

Heat Treatment at 60–62 HRC Explained

Steel choice is only half the equation. Heat treatment is where performance is truly defined.

Each blade in the Ford F-150 Knife Collection is heat treated to HRC 60–62, a carefully chosen range that balances:

Long-lasting edge retention
Structural toughness
Practical sharpenability

Too soft, and the edge dulls quickly. Too hard, and the blade becomes brittle and unforgiving.

At 60–62 HRC, S35VN reaches its performance sweet spot — hard enough to stay sharp through extended use, yet tough enough to handle real-world cutting without chipping or failure.