Böhler-Uddeholm replaced much of the carbon in Vanax SuperClean with nitrogen during the alloy’s development, giving it exceptional corrosion resistance in saltwater carry, humid climates, and other conditions that eventually pit steels like M390. Introduced at Blade Show 2017, Vanax is a premium steel due to its high manufacturing cost and limited production. Our current lineup spans several approaches to modern EDC design, including three knives by Jesper Voxnaes and a Gecko Customz collaboration on the Pictus V2 XL.
Why Vanax Differs from Other Premium Stainless Steels
Vanax is one of a small number of nitrogen-alloyed steels developed for knives. Its chemistry differs enough from that of M390, MagnaCut, and conventional stainless steels that the buying decision depends on whether corrosion resistance or cost is prioritized.
Vanax SuperClean contains 36% carbon, 18.2% chromium, 1.55% nitrogen, 1.1% molybdenum, and 3.5% vanadium. In most stainless steel knife steels, carbon is the primary hardening element. Vanax replaces most of that carbon with nitrogen, far above the roughly 0.1% nitrogen content found in conventional nitrogen-alloyed stainless steels.
Because nitrogen binds less chromium into carbide formation, more chromium remains available in solution to resist corrosion. The steel also forms extremely fine vanadium nitrides rather than the larger chromium carbides found in steels like M390 and CPM-20CV. Most production Vanax knives run between 60 and 62 HRC.
How Vanax Compares With MagnaCut, M390, and LC200N
Knife Steel Nerds’ salt-spray testing places H1 alongside LC200N and Vanax at the top of the corrosion-resistance category, ahead of MagnaCut and well ahead of M390. Vanax offers stronger corrosion resistance than MagnaCut, while MagnaCut provides higher toughness and a lower entry cost. M390 still leads this group in pure CATRA edge-retention testing but gives up toughness and corrosion resistance in return.
Vanax fills a narrower role than MagnaCut, which explains why it appears more frequently in premium production and custom folders rather than broader production lines. Buyers who carry near saltwater, prepare food in humid environments, or seek minimal blade maintenance will generally see the greatest benefit from Vanax.
URBAN EDC’s Vanax Knives
Our current Vanax lineup includes four folding knives, three based on designs by Jesper Voxnaes and one developed in collaboration with Gecko Customz.
URBAN Jib liner lock with Darkwashed Vanax
The Jib pairs a darkwashed Vanax blade with an antiqued bronze liner lock and titanium backspacer. Jesper Voxnaes developed the platform as a scaled-down counterpart to the F5.5, using a 2.6-inch Vanax blade in 3.5 mm stock with a crowned spine for added thumb comfort across the jimping.
Its overall length measures 6.2 inches, with a closed length of 3.6 inches, and it weighs 4.6 ounces. The antiqued bronze liner gives the knife a more traditional character than the rest of the lineup, and the anchor stamp on the blade references the sailor-knife influence behind the design.
URBAN Becerro with Hand-Rubbed Vanax and Fat Carbon Frost
The Becerro is a Yamato Club exclusive available to paid members. Becerro translates from Spanish as baby bull, a name that matches the knife’s compact yet robust design. The blade uses hand-rubbed Vanax SuperClean in a 2.87-inch flat grind on 4 mm stock.
At 7.25 inches and 4.1 ounces, the Becerro keeps a compact footprint despite the thick blade stock. The knife uses a liner lock with nested titanium liners, along with a washer-and-ceramic-bearing pivot, opened through a thumb hole. Fat Carbon Frost scales combine carbon fiber with pigmented resin layered throughout the billet, creating patterns that continue through the full thickness of the material. No two scales are identical.
URBAN Jib Frame Lock in Blackwashed Vanax
This variant replaces the liner lock with a frame lock and pairs a blackwashed Vanax blade with a matching blackwashed titanium frame and bronze backspacer. The sailor-knife influence remains in the detailing, while the frame-lock construction reduces weight to 2.9 ounces. The blade measures 2.6 inches on 3.5 mm stock, for a total length of 6.2 inches.
Voxnaes’s signature lock-face pattern runs across the frame, and the blackwashed finish keeps the surface subdued and helps conceal pocket wear over extended carry. Buyers wanting a lighter carry profile with frame-lock construction will likely gravitate toward this version of the Jib.
Gecko x URBAN Pictus V2 XL in Polished DLC Vanax
The Gecko x URBAN Pictus V2 XL pairs a polished DLC Vanax blade with a matching polished DLC titanium frame machined in the Chaos Seigaiha pattern. Watermelon Sugar camo carbon-fiber inlays add saturated pink and green tones that sharply contrast the darker metal finish.
Gecko Customz developed the Pictus platform around a larger Vanax frame-lock build aimed at the premium end of the category. The blade measures 3.75 inches, with an 8.5-inch open length and a 4.75-inch closed length, and weighs 4.8 ounces. The DLC coating adds a hard, low-friction surface over the polished finish. As with the Fat Carbon builds, no two Watermelon Sugar inlays are identical.
How to Make Your Selection
The four knives separate most clearly by lock type, size, and carry style.
Buyers preferring liner locks will gravitate toward the Darkwashed Vanax Jib or the Becerro. The Jib uses an antiqued bronze liner lock, while the Becerro pairs nested titanium liners with a ceramic-bearing pivot.
Those wanting frame-lock construction can choose between the Blackwashed Vanax Jib and the Gecko x URBAN Pictus V2 XL. The Jib is the lighter option at 2.9 ounces, while the Pictus weighs 4.8 ounces and features a larger, more visually aggressive build.
The two Jib variants and the Becerro occupy the small-to-medium folding knife category, with blade lengths ranging from 2.6 to 2.87 inches. Weight ranges from 2.9 to 4.6 ounces, depending on configuration, making these models suitable for pocket carry, food prep, and package work.
At 3.75 inches and 4.8 ounces, the Pictus V2 XL falls into the larger-folder category. Its Wharncliffe-influenced blade profile and oversized frame give it a stronger visual presence. Buyers seeking a lower-profile carry will likely lean toward the smaller models, while those who want the knife to be the focal point will choose the Pictus.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Vanax SuperClean steel?
Vanax SuperClean is a third-generation powder-metallurgy nitrogen-alloyed stainless steel made by Bohler-Uddeholm. Its defining feature is the substitution of nitrogen for most of the carbon a conventional stainless would use as a hardener.
Is Vanax better than MagnaCut?
In corrosion-resistance testing, Vanax outperforms MagnaCut by a measurable margin. MagnaCut, however, offers higher toughness and a lower entry cost. The better choice depends largely on carry conditions. Buyers near saltwater or in humid climates will see a stronger case for Vanax, while broader everyday-carry use favors MagnaCut’s balance of performance and price.
Is Vanax better than M390?
Compared with M390, Vanax offers stronger corrosion resistance and a finer particle structure, making sharpening easier. M390 still posts higher pure CATRA edge-retention numbers and costs less per knife in production. Buyers prioritizing corrosion resistance and low-maintenance carry conditions will usually find the premium for Vanax easier to justify.
Does Vanax rust?
Very few production knife steels resist corrosion as effectively as Vanax. Its performance is often compared with H1 and LC200N in humid and saltwater environments. Prolonged exposure to salt or acids, or neglect in maintenance, can still cause corrosion, but it handles routine pocket carry and coastal use extremely well.
What is the difference between Vanax 35, 75, and SuperClean?
Bohler-Uddeholm introduced Vanax 35 and Vanax 75 around 2006 as industrial-tool steels. Vanax SuperClean, also known as Vanax 37, was later followed by the knife-focused third-generation formulation, using refined powder-metallurgy processing and a finer particle structure optimized for corrosion resistance and edge stability.
How hard is Vanax steel?
Most production Vanax knives range between 60 and 62 HRC, though some custom makers push the hardness slightly higher. The nitrogen-based alloy maintains a strong working edge at those ranges while preserving the corrosion resistance that defines the steel.
Is Vanax hard to sharpen?
Compared with mid-tier stainless steels, sharpening requires a bit more effort because of the steel’s vanadium nitride structure. Diamond or CBN abrasives produce the best results, while a ceramic rod is usually enough to maintain a working edge between full sharpening sessions.
Which knives are made with Vanax steel?
Our current Vanax lineup includes the URBAN Jib in both liner-lock and frame-lock configurations, the URBAN Becerro with Fat Carbon Frost scales, and the Gecko x URBAN Pictus V2 XL in polished DLC Vanax. Outside our lineup, the steel also appears in smaller runs from custom makers and select European production brands.
Is Vanax good for saltwater EDC?
Yes. In corrosion-resistance testing, Vanax performs on par with steels such as H1 and LC200N in saltwater conditions. That makes it especially suitable for coastal carry, humid climates, and marine environments where corrosion resistance matters more than maximum toughness or edge retention.
Who designed the URBAN Jib and Becerro?
Jesper Voxnaes created both models. The Jib is a scaled-down version of the F5.5, drawing from traditional sailors’ knives and Voxnaes’s custom Vox F5. The Becerro takes a different direction with a compact but robust profile.
