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Steel Comparison
The Interactive Guide to Knife Steels
Discover the art of precision with Shieldon Knives where we provide not just cutting-edge blades, but also the wisdom to choose the ideal steel. Our website features a sophisticated Tableau chart, offering hands-on comparisons across a variety of steel types. Dive into the traits of hardness (HRC), edge retention, wear resistance, and corrosion resistance, all precisely illustrated for your understanding.
In the realm of knife crafting, steel is the hero, its quality shaped by the alchemy of additives, and the finesse of rolling and heating. Steel manifests its caliber through:
Hardness:
This characteristic measures steel's strength and resistance to deformation under stress. It's quantified by the Rockwell C scale (HRC), providing a benchmark for the knife's durability.
Toughness:
It’s the measure of steel's ability to withstand impacts without suffering damage like cracks or chips. Although not as standardized as hardness, toughness is crucial as it determines a knife's longevity in the face of sudden forces.
Wear Resistance:
This indicates the steel's capability to endure abrasive forces without deterioration. Higher hardness often means better wear resistance, but the steel's chemical makeup plays a pivotal role, with carbides enhancing resistance despite a potential decline in toughness.
Corrosion Resistance:
This trait speaks of steel’s endurance against environmental adversaries like moisture and salt. Opting for high corrosion resistance usually means compromising a bit on edge performance.
Edge Retention:
A vital attribute, reflecting how long a blade maintains its sharpness with regular use. Edge retention synergizes wear resistance with the ability to maintain the blade's form.
The pursuit of "the best knife steel" is a balancing act. The interplay between hardness and toughness is critical; each has its trade-offs. A steel too hard might chip upon impact, while a tougher steel might not hold its edge as desired. Moreover, the term 'stainless steel' can be misleading, as even these varieties may tarnish over time.
Your knife's intended use is the key to unlocking the right steel choice. With the knowledge from Shieldon's interactive guide, you can pinpoint the best steel tailored to your specific needs.
Discover the Diversity of Knife Steel Options
Venture into the world of knife-making, where we unveil the essential steel types employed in the crafting of superior blades. Our comprehensive guide demystifies the properties of common knife steels, aiding you in discerning the best choice for your cutting tools. Shieldon's expertise extends beyond manufacturing OEM/ODM/OBM knives and tools; we are dedicated to educating our customers on the complexities of knife steel. Here's a closer look at the prevalent categories:
Tool Steel – The Backbone of Cutting Precision:
Tool steels are the embodiment of hardness and endurance, crafted for impeccable cutting performance. Esteemed selections within this category include D2, renowned for its wear resistance, O1, celebrated for its ease of sharpening, and Crucible's CPM series like the robust CPM 3V. For those seeking extreme resilience, high-speed steels such as M4 stand at the forefront, promising exceptional edge retention.
Carbon Steel – The Epitome of Resilience and Ease:
When it comes to unforgiving environments, carbon steel is the stalwart companion. Favored for survival knives and machetes, this steel excels in toughness and ease of honing to a razor-sharp edge. 1095 steel reigns supreme in this class, offering a no-frills approach to blade construction with straightforward maintenance. However, its low chromium content does mean vigilance against corrosion is a must.
Stainless Steel – The Harmony of Performance and Maintenance:
Stainless steel merges carbon steel's robust nature with the added benefit of chromium, culminating in a blade that stands tall against rust. 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. The distinguished Sandvik and Crucible SxxV series also reside here. True stainless steel contains at least 13% chromium, ensuring that resilience and performance go hand-in-hand without compromising on corrosion resistance.
With Shieldon's guidance, navigate the nuanced world of knife steels with confidence. Whether you're in search of durability, ease of maintenance, or sheer cutting finesse, our insights ensure you're equipped to select the ideal steel type for your blade, reflecting our unwavering commitment to quality and customer education.
Exploring Today's Top Knife Steels
As we delve into the world of knife blades, it's fascinating to see the variety of advanced steels shaping today's market. While there are exceptionally high-grade materials like CPM-125V, CPM-10V, and K294, they are more of a collector's rarity than a standard offering. Don't be swayed by hierarchical steel rankings; they're more of an art than a science, a way to group these materials by general performance after considering multiple factors.
Ultra-Premium Steels
CPM S110V
Regarded as the apex of wear resistance and edge longevity within standard knife production, CPM S110V is a marvel. Though it's a rare find in the market and its benefits over CPM-S90V may be subtle at best, it's without a doubt a leader in edge retention. The cost and the challenges it presents in terms of manufacturing and sharpening are significant, but a blade made of CPM-S110V will demonstrate exceptional endurance.
CPM S90V
Another gem from Crucible, CPM S90V, nears the zenith of durability and edge retention with its high carbon and extraordinary vanadium content—triple that of steels like Elmax or S30V. It's a premium choice, not just in price but also in the patience required for sharpening. Its edge retention and abrasion resistance are exceptional, only closely matched by its relative, CPM-S110V.
M390
A newcomer from Bohler-Uddeholm, M390 boasts third-generation powder metal technology, tailored for blades that demand outstanding hardness and corrosion resistance. The addition of elements like chromium, molybdenum, vanadium, and tungsten ensures exceptional sharpness and edge retention. The steel reaches a hardness of 60-62 HRC and is dubbed "Microclean," able to be polished to a mirror-like finish. While sharpening is more manageable than S90V, it still requires effort.
ZDP-189
Hitachi's ZDP-189 is a super steel with substantial carbon and chromium, achieving incredible hardness levels. Blades can reach a hardness of around 64 HRC, providing excellent edge retention but challenging sharpening. Despite its high chromium content, its corrosion resistance is diminished due to the carbon pairing with chromium to form carbides.
Elmax
Introduced by European Uddeholm, now part of Bohler-Uddeholm, Elmax is a high chromium-vanadium-molybdenum alloyed powdered steel, offering high wear and corrosion resistance. It's a stainless steel with qualities akin to carbon steel, providing impressive edge retention and ease of sharpening while remaining quite resistant to rust. Elmax could be considered the best all-around knife steel, a testament to Bohler-Uddeholm's competitive edge in the market.
CPM-20CV
CPM-20CV is Crucible's answer to Bohler’s M390, a Powder Metallurgy tool steel that offers a remarkable blend of wear resistance and edge retention, coupled with high corrosion resistance due to its chromium content.
Premium Steels
CTS-XHP
From Carpenter, CTS-XHP is a new steel that marries excellent edge retention with a hardness of about 61 HRC. As a powder metallurgy product, it exhibits fine grain and outstanding performance. It offers slightly better edge retention than S30V but demands more effort in sharpening. CTS-XHP is reminiscent of D2 steel regarding its corrosion resistance and edge retention, but like D2, sharpening is not straightforward, and the steel can be brittle.
CPM M4
Known for its toughness, CPM M4 is a high-performance tool steel that can outperform other carbon steels in terms of edge retention. Produced using Crucible's patented process, this steel offers a stable and grindable product. While excelling in abrasion resistance and toughness, CPM M4 is not stainless and requires proper maintenance to prevent patina formation.
CPM S35VN
Developed by Crucible and Chris Reeve, S35VN is a slight but meaningful improvement upon the excellent S30V steel, made easier to machine and sharpen with enhanced toughness, thanks to the addition of niobium. In practice, it's almost indistinguishable from its predecessor, presenting itself as one of the top choices for mainstream knife steels.
CPM S30V
Crucible's S30V steel, often simply called S30V, provides superb edge retention and rust resistance. Designed in the US, it's a go-to for high-end knives and premium cutlery, offering an optimal balance of edge retention, hardness, and toughness. With its sibling S35VN in the picture, S30V remains a popular and favored option in the knife industry.
High-end Range
154CM
This is a robust steel recognized as a refined version of 440C, incorporating Molybdenum to its composition. The resultant alloy offers enhanced edge retention over 440C while maintaining impressive corrosion resistance, although with a reduced Chromium content. Its toughness is satisfactory for a variety of applications and it sharpens well with appropriate tools. Many reputable pocket knife producers, like Benchmade, favor 154CM. There is also a powdered form known as CPM 154, produced through Crucible Particle Metallurgy, similar to RWL-34 from Sweden’s Damasteel. The finer carbides from the metallurgy process yield a steel that is somewhat tougher with improved edge durability, although the tangible difference might be subtle for the average user.
ATS-34
Comparable to the American-made 154CM, ATS-34 is a Japanese steel offering similar qualities. It has gained popularity among knife creators for its excellent edge retention, though it does not quite match 440C in corrosion resistance.
D2
D2 is a tool steel just shy of the Chromium content needed for full stainless classification, but still delivers notable corrosion resistance. It is harder than alternatives like 154CM or ATS-34, providing superior edge longevity. However, D2 is more challenging to sharpen, often requiring expert sharpening skills to achieve a fine edge.
VG-10
VG-10 is closely aligned with 154CM and ATS-34, featuring added chromium for better rust resistance and vanadium, which slightly increases its toughness. A recent introduction from Japan, it is now embraced by respected American knife makers such as Spyderco. VG-10 is known for its hardness, sharpness, and respectable toughness.
H1
Developed by Japan’s Myodo Metals, H1 steel is the pinnacle of rust resistance, virtually immune to corrosion. This trait, however, comes at the expense of edge retention, making it less suitable for everyday carry but ideal for diving knives. It is considered a premium material.
N680
N680 steel's chemistry includes 0.20% nitrogen and a high chromium percentage, rendering it exceptionally resistant to rust, perfect for blades exposed to saltwater. It is a more affordable alternative to H1, with decent edge retention, though not as enduring as 154CM.
High Mid-Range
440C
Once the apex of US knife steels, 440C is versatile and, while surpassed by newer steels, is still a reliable choice, especially for mass-produced pocket knives. It's tough, wear-resistant, and excels in resisting stains. It maintains an edge better than 420HC but is not as corrosion-resistant. Its high carbon and chromium content allow for relative ease in sharpening.
AUS-8
A Japanese-made steel, AUS-8, rivals the American 440B with somewhat better rust resistance but lower hardness. While tough, it may not sustain its edge as well as higher-end steels but is very easy to sharpen to a razor-like edge.
CTS-BD1
Engineered at the behest of Spyderco, CTS-BD1 from Carpenter Technology is vacuum-melted, positioned close to AUS-8 and 8Cr13MoV, but with a slight edge in retention and corrosion resistance due to more chromium. Though not matching the wear resistance of steels with higher carbide volumes like 154CM, it sharpens quite readily.
8Cr13MoV
Originating from China, this steel offers a balanced cost-effective solution, similar to AUS-8 but with higher carbon content. Companies like Spyderco have honed the heat treatment process to maximize its properties.
14C28N
From Swedish Sandvik, 14C28N was developed as an advancement over their 13C26 at Kershaw's request, seeking improved corrosion resistance. With more chromium and the introduction of Nitrogen, this steel provides a notable corrosion resistance boost.
Lower Mid-Range
440A
This is akin to 420HC but with a little more carbon, enhancing its wear resistance and edge retention at the cost of corrosion resistance.
420HC
Regarded as the superior variant in the 420 series, 420HC includes more carbon, making it harder. Effective heat treatments by certain manufacturers can significantly enhance its edge retention and corrosion resistance. Despite its affordability, it's one of the most rust-resistant options available, often found in budget-friendly knives and multi-tools.
13C26
Sandvik’s take on AEB-L, initially made for razor blades, is a close match to 440A with a balance tilted more towards hardness and wear at the sacrifice of corrosion resistance. However, under normal conditions, both steels perform similarly. Sandvik later introduced 14C28N, a modest improvement over 13C26.
1095
Among the 10-series carbon steels, 1095 is the most popular, featuring about 1% carbon. It lacks in corrosion resistance but is tough, easy to sharpen, and cost-effective – making it ideal for heavy-duty knives. Most manufacturers coat their 1095 knives to prevent rust, but simple oil treatment is also effective.
Entry-Level
420J
420 steel is on the lower quality end but sufficient for general use, with limited carbon content resulting in a softer blade that quickly dulls. Despite this, it offers high flexibility and remarkable resistance to stains, though wear resistance is not a strong point. Knives using this steel are generally affordable and mass-produced.
AUS-6
The Japanese counterpart to the 420 series, AUS-6 is a soft, low-carbon steel with reasonable corrosion resistance.
Other Key Factors to Consider
It's crucial to understand that the choice of blade steel, while important, is not the sole determinant of a knife's performance. The quest for the ideal steel type can lead enthusiasts down a complex path of technical details and specifications. However, it's essential to remember that having a knife made from a premium or top-tier steel does not inherently guarantee superior performance over knives crafted from lower-ranked steels. The heat treatment process employed by the manufacturer and the blade's design significantly influence the knife's overall functionality and effectiveness.
Moreover, with advancements in material science, nearly all contemporary steels will meet the demands of the majority of users. Therefore, it might be more beneficial to focus on other aspects of a pocket knife, such as its ergonomics, usability, and additional features. These factors can profoundly impact your experience and satisfaction with the knife, often more so than the steel type alone.