Knife steel chart Let us know if you have any questions or comments below! Popular Posts. N, with approximate Rockwell hardness values. Knife steels are typically described as “high carbon” if they contain more than 0. . One of the most corrosion resistant steels on the market, with top-tier edge retention to boot. Hover over an element to learn more about how it affects steel performance characteristics. S. 5% carbon and these generally what you want to look for in a knife steel. When a knife chips or rolls then the geometry must be more obtuse to instead lose sharpness to wear, as chipping or rolling means instantaneous edge loss rather than gradual wear. White River Knife & Tool WRSUF8-GGB 8½” Step-Up Fillet Knife – Green & Black G-10 WRSUF8-GGB $ 175. Compare different steels and see examples of knives with each steel. A spreadsheet that compares the characteristics, hardness and resharpening difficulty of various knife steels and handle materials. For many years, it was the go-to option for Japanese stainless steel knife blades, and for this reason is often referred to as a Japanese Super Steel. / Various Kitchen knife, Saw, Razor blade: ATS 34: Popular Stainless blade steel. Aug 29, 2022 · When describing the characteristics of a steel, a few common attributes are commonly talked about. Just… good enough to end up in that field a lot. com). BPS Knives utilizes a diverse range of steel types to cater to a wide array of user needs. Excellent edge retention and first rate toughness make this steel one of the best all-around knife steels, striking a balance between corrosion resistance, edge retention and This is a very rough chart. Although there are ways in which this chart may fall short given variables beyond the basic potential of the steel I believe this will be a helpfull touch point for understanding the evolving landscape of knife steels. Steel comparison graphs, search, sorting, filtering by element composition and more. AISI 440C and equivalent steel knives reviews. Feb 24, 2021 · Knife Steel Charts Edge Retention Comparison Chart. Tool Steel is typically categorized by its high hardness and durability, using tungsten, chromium, vanadium, and molybdenum as its main alloying elements while having a low amount of manganese to minimize the May 25, 2019 · Basic search - Simply enter the search pattern into the search edit control on top of the steel chart and click the Search button, or hit the Enter key. A2 steel - Chris Reeve Jereboam II knife review; A2 steel - Chris Reeve One Piece Mountaineer I knife review; A2 steel - Chris Reeve One Piece Project I knife review; A2 steel - Chris Reeve One Piece Project II knife review; A2 steel - Chris Reeve One Piece Shadow III knife review; A2 steel - Chris Jul 24, 2024 · Chart-topping edge retention and great stain resistance make this steel a top-tier choice for premium knives. Help. LC 200N is an elite performer, with high hardness, high toughness, and off-the-charts Nov 12, 2022 · The type of steel your knife’s blade is forged from only plays a minor role. Aug 30, 2023 · Knife Steel Guide Hardest Knife Steel • 5 Best Knife Steels • Best Budget Knife Steel • Carbon vs Stainless Steel • Worst Knife Steel Knife Steel Directory (Profiles & Reviews) CPM-20CV • S30V • S35VN • S45VN • S90V • S110V • 420HC • 420J2 • 440C • 3G • A2 • Dec 8, 2022 · Which knife steels have the most carbon? Find out below with these knife steel composition charts. 4116 steel has been used in German kitchen cutlery for decades. No matter what steel you choose, do your research beforehand. Nov 4, 2022 · Popular knife brands like Spyderco, Cold Steel, CRKT, Kershaw, Buck, Boker, Benchmade, and Emerson tend to produce blades within this hardness range. Mar 5, 2024 · Knife Steel Chart: Find the best knife steel for your needs by comparing durability, edge retention, and corrosion resistance. Gold Member. Composition: Carbon steel with a lower chromium content. Most of the charts on KSN usually show the range of the steel based on its hardness with usually toughness higher the lower end of the recommended heat treat and edge retention at the higher end. Apr 14, 2025 · Stainless steel knives contain at least 10. 95 16-18 1. Conclusion: Good steel for mid-range kitchen knives with good all-round properties, with 1. / Custom knife, High quality cutlery tool: ZDP 189 Aug 7, 2015 · 13C26. While stainless steel knives may not retain their edge as well as carbon steel, they are more resistant to chipping and cracking, making them suitable for everyday use. 03 max 440-C 0. Oct 7, 2024 · Best Knife Steel: A Comprehensive Guide in Knife Steel 101 Knife steel is a big deal. 75 max 1 0. Now that we’ve discussed our blade steels individually, let’s look at them side by side for easier comparison. From their roots as a maker of butterfly knives through to the modern era building automatics, fine EDC pocket knives, hunting fixed blades, and of course, the AXIS-Lock, they cover every knife genre out there. Steel Toughness Comparision Chart Corrosion Resistance Comparison Chart. Search string consists of one or more search patterns, separated by comma. Low-carbon conventional stainless steel This category includes the most inexpensive steel used for making kitchen knives, with a carbon content of around 0. Jul 8, 2022 · Tool Steel is typically higher carbon steel, not associated with the ten series, that is used in hand tools, dies, and knives. A hard knife will also be brittle and prone to rust. Jan 30, 2025 · Learn about the key properties and types of knife steel, such as hardness, toughness, wear resistance, corrosion resistance and edge retention. Each of these contributes to a knife’s overall performance. Knife Reviews Main / Various Kitchen knife, Scissors: GIN 3: Stainless steel which has hardness and sharpness comparable to carbon steel. Compare and analyze with 1013 steel alloy compositions, and 6524 names using the graph builder. A good carbon steel is a balanced blend of high carbon content and minimal additions as describe in our knife steel chart above. Oct 19, 2021 · For example if there is a steel with toughness 10, edge retention 5 and one with toughness 1 and edge retention 6, I would assume, that the first steel is far better then the second, because you should be able to sharpen a knife with the first steel to a much more delicate edge and get a better edge retention while still remain a higher toughness. Build. 26 Knife Blade Shapes and Types. 440C steel - Beretta Large Airlight Folder knife review; 440C steel - Beretta Small Airlight Folder knife review; 440C steel - Beretta Spearpoint Airlight Folder knife review; 440C steel - Unknown Dagger Kris knife review Select steels from the Interactive Knife Steel Composition Chart. Learn what materials compose different stainless steels. Click a specific steel below to see its elements. 154CM: Created by U. These charts are categorized by steel type: Carbon steel, tool steel, and stainless steel. Learn about the characteristics, hardness and corrosion resistance of different knife steels and handle materials. Steel hardness is often achieved by the heat threat and can vary for many for the same steel type, the below chart is a +/- estimate of the Hardness Rockwell C. 32 Best Everyday Carry Knives. May 20, 2019 · Here are current charts for toughness on all of the steels we have tested here at Knife Steel Nerds along with the help of several knifemakers and machinists to make the samples for testing. 95-1. bladehq. We don’t actually mean “best”. With numerous types of steel available, it can be challenging to un Mouse over element names to get quick help on its effects in the alloy. One source of information on steel performance I have found to be instructive is titled “Knife Steel Comparison and Charts,” posted on the Blade HQ website (www. 3%, typically around 13% Chromium and Nov 11, 2024 · The steel used in a knife blade is more than just metal; it’s the heart of the knife that determines its performance, durability, and suitability for specific tasks. We intend to provide an authoritative guide for researching and appreciating the different blade steels that a knife can be made with. Steel performance is based on four attributes: Edge Retention and Wear Resistance, Toughness, Ease of Sharpening, and Corrosion Resistance. Sharpening Difficulty Comparison Chart. Here, we will discuss edge retention, toughness, ease of sharpening, and corrosion resistance. The following knife steel charts will help you evaluate steel quality—and knife performance—based on these attributes. Disadvantages: Modest corrosion resistance. Aug 15, 2024 · Updated for 2024, our list of the best Benchmade knives includes the latest and greatest from the leading American knife brand. Whether you’re selecting a utility knife for everyday chores, a tactical or EDC (Everyday Carry) knife for reliability in demanding situations, or a kitchen knife for culinary […] Generally with increased levels of carbon you get a harder steel, improved tensile strength, edge retention and overall resistance to wear. Mar 21, 2011 · Knife Steel Attributes (2025 Catalog chart) Thread starter DeSotoSky; Start date Jan 11, 2025; DeSotoSky. 440C (60 HRC) Edge Retention Toughness Corrosion Resistance CTS-XHP CTS-204P PM 154 (60 (60 (62 RWL-34 (62 HRC) Jul 30, 2019 · While Damascus steel is often made with importance placed on aesthetics, strong, functional and durable knives can result from the proper choice of steel and careful forging. Looking for your next knife, learning the ins-and-outs of knife anatomy, or just want to hear what knife nerds are talking about, you can do it here! Our knife steel guide Best Knife Steel - A Comparison of Steel Materials & Types For an average person not familiar with steel classifications, standards, and properties, it can get very confusing. We developed an oversimplified ranking system to give you a visual comparison and help you make the right choice for your blade. The steels are ranked from worst to best in the chart below. When choosing a knife, understanding the differences between steel types will help you choose one that’s right for you. Compare 10 common blade steels based on hardness, corrosion resistance, edge retention, price, and uses. It is a powder made steel with uniform structure and great corrosion resistance. It has a reputation for being difficult to sharpen. Learn the factors to consider when selecting the right steel for your knife project and where to buy quality knife steel. It’s what makes a knife perform. Oct 23, 2024 · Knife steels are typically described as “high carbon” if they contain more than 0. 00 Add to cart The largest, most comperhensive, interactive, knife steel composition chart, with 1013 steel alloy compositions, and 6524 names. Jun 14, 2024 · The Best Knife Steels for Each Job. Let's take a look at the most common and popular knife steel types and how they compare in edge retention, hardness, ease of sharpening, and rust resistance. The best steel for making knives often includes premium options like Japanese steel, German Steel, and Stainless Steel, known for exceptional wear resistance and edge retention. Best Knife Steel Chart. 00 max 0. Jun 16, 2022 · Carbon steel is hard, but other materials can add hardness and corrosion resistance. 5% chromium, which provides excellent corrosion resistance and makes them more durable and easier to maintain. Click the top of each column to sort by steel names, percentage of a particular element, or by Rockwell Hardness Ratings. Common grades used in the production of Damascus steel include 15N20 (L-6), O1, ASTM 203E, 1095, 1084, 5160, W-2, and 52100. Advantages: Toughness, edge retention. 75 16-18 1. ZDP-189 Stainless steel merges carbon steel's robust nature with the added benefit of chromium, culminating in a blade that stands tall against rust. 5 Last Updated 17th September 2019 This Chart compares different Steels and various attributes, to benchmark their performance. Jan 11, 2021 · The Infidel, our D2 flagship. Some steels overlap a pretty decent amount depending on hardness. The steel composition of a knife plays a crucial role in determining its performance, durability, and overall quality. Let’s take a closer and more comprehensive look at three of their prominent choices: 1066 Steel. Resource Index Steel Elements Steel Standards Steel Technologies Steel Graph Dec 19, 2024 · Steel Alloys Combining it in one chart helps select the correct steel based on knife use and a knifemaker’s heat-treating equipment. Knife Steel Comparison Chart—Relative Values. 20 18 1. The largest, most comperhensive, interactive, knife steel composition chart, with 1013 steel alloy compositions, and 6524 names. 04 max 0. 00 max 1. Steel Composition Chart Understanding Steel Composition: A Comprehensive Chart for Knife Enthusiasts and Collectors . Knife Steel Chart Mobile - For Android Devices. Learn about the pros and cons of different steels such as 420, 440C, AUS 8, S30V, Elmax and more. Otherwise, you might end up with an Apr 11, 2024 · While most knife steel aims to strike a balance between attributes, some knives aim to specialize. Jul 24, 2015 · A glorified pry bar of a knife will not become a super slicer just because it has a high carbide super steel that is conceived with edge retention in mind, and in the same vein, an anemic filleting knife in CPM-3V will not be optimal as a beater/rough duty blade just because it features a tough steel. 45-0. There’s a reason you see Sandvik 14C28N show up in so many bushcraft knives, and that 1. CPM-S110V. Kitchen Knives and Japanese Blades: 61 to 63 HRC A C Rating above 60 means you’ll be focused solely on making plenty of fine, precise cuts through organics or soft materials with infrequent Jul 13, 2015 · Knife Blade Steel Comparison Chart Posted by admin on Jul 13th 2015 Just worked up a small graph to compare different steels in three different areas including Edge Retention/Hardness, Corrosion Resistance and Sharpenability. However, if manufacturers go over the top with too much carbon it can make the steel brittle and also increases proneness to corrosion. steel producer Crucible Industries in 1959, 154CM was one of the first "high-speed" stainless steels ever made. May 1, 2020 · Based on the used edge of both knives it looks like the steel isn’t hard enough to handle the 20 degree edge and therefore is deforming. The composition and treatment Tweet; We posted our online knife steel chart in 1998 and have done our best to keep it up to date since then. Sep 1, 2011 · Stainless Steel Chart Comparison EDC Knife Blades v5. Knife blade steels provide the hardness and sharpness for cutting, as well as impact resistance. Hold on. Low HRC: Under 55 Medium HRC: Between 55 and 60 VG-1. 75-0. Compare 17 types of steel from 17-7 PH to X-15 T. Or does it? With factors like angle and blade shape made equal, how does each type of knife steel compare when it comes to holding an edge? Knife Steel Nerds conducted tests to find out. If you hear terms like S30V and M390, 440C, Stainless steel and others thrown around in knife banter but don’t know what these words mean, you are not alone! I have carried a knife since I was young many of my days and every day now but I didn’t always know much about the different material options available for knife steels. Type: Stainless Steel / Origin: Japan / Hardness: HRC 58-60 / Series: VG VG-1 Steel was the original of the VG-series. A sword in the 13th century that had to be kept in the low hardness ranges could now be just as tough at much higher hardness levels. Jan 11 Jun 14, 2023 · With so many steel types available, choosing a knife steel can be challenging. If you are confused with all the different types of steels that manufacturers put on their knife blades, this article will help shed 'some' light on the topic. This comprehensive guide will explore different knife blade steels, their properties, and how to select the right steel for your needs. The Basics of Knife Blade Steels. Analyzing BPS Knives Steel Types. High speed steels are capable of retaining their hardness at the high temperatures caused by the friction of moving parts, such as the bearings in a spinning turbine engine. It breaks down the elemental composition used in each type of steel, for those who want to dive deeper into the technical side. Knife Steel Chart Mobile - For iOS Devices. AISI A2 and equivalent steel knives reviews. Joined Mar 21, 2011 Messages 6,585. 30 Best Benchmade Steel Chart Click here to download a PDF of this steel chart (107kb) Click here to download a two-page brochure with more details about steel(14 MB). This category is a mainstay for everyday carry (EDC) knives, boasting an expansive roster that includes the 400 series, 154CM, AUS, and VG steels, along with the CTS and MoV families. We posted our online knife steel chart in 1998 and have done our best to keep it up to date. Is 7cr steel good for knives? 7cr steel is decent for knives, offering reasonable performance, but it's essential to consider specific needs like corrosion resistance. What it is: 13C26 is a Sandvik stainless steel commonly used in razors and kitchen knives. This American made and engineered steel was created especially for the knife industry. Select steels from the Interactive Knife Steel Composition Chart. Settings. 25 Best Fixed Blade Knives. Key Characteristics: Excellent edge retention, ease of sharpening. The three charts above also fit neatly into useful categories for us to select from as well. Mar 4, 2016 · For a more in-depth look at knife steel composition, check out Knife Informer's excellent Knife Steel Composition Chart. Types of Steel Carbon Cobalt Copper Chromium Manganese Molybdenum Nickel Phosphorus Selenium Silicon Sulfur Tungsten Vanadium C Co Cu Cr Mn Mo N P Se Si S W V 440-A 0. Another high carbon knife steel is ATS 34. 04 0. Sep 3, 2018 · Note: I now have a steel ratings article of my own, read it here: Knife Steels Rated by a Metallurgist Intro Thanks to Stacy Apelt for becoming a Knife Steel Nerds Patreon supporter! Based on a poll of Knife Steel Nerds Patreon voting members, we have decided to purchase a small impact tester for knife… Continue reading Ranking the Steel Ranking Articles Jul 11, 2022 · A straightforward guide to stainless steels, tool steels, exotic steels, and Damascus steel. It determines edge retention, toughness, corrosion resistance and sharpening ease. 75 max 0. The resulting charts represent my best effort of compiling a comparative list and framing it in an easy to understand way. For comparison with other alloys open steel composition graph builder & analyzer. 4116 probably the most widely used knife steel in the world. 03 max 440-B 0. / Various Kitchen knife, Scissors: GIN 5: Stainless steel for the razor blade replacement. This document, accessed by clicking a tab labeled “Knife Steels” on the home page of the website, features a numeric and graphic evaluation of 22 blade steels, in . nkqly bfbc vdpn goxzb sycyc mduhklw yrslsz akpal xctknd rrbgh