A knife can be made from anything

Today, I would like to continue the topic of accessible material from which you can quickly and easily use good characteristics. Many people are interested in the question of what can be made from without resorting to complex technologies. This is written about in some detail in. Here we will try to further highlight some of the details of suitable material for knives. The easiest thing is to use old broken stainless steel kitchen knives. Knives should preferably be Soviet-made, and not Chinese consumer goods. From such a fragment you can make a good knife with excellent cutting characteristics.

Also, good knives can be made from high-speed steel, which is used in the production of hacksaw blades for power saws. The disadvantage of this material is that it is quite fragile and tends to rust. But it holds an edge well.

An excellent material is knives for a wood planer. This metal is very well processed and polished. The planing knife is burned red-hot with a blowtorch and then cooled. After annealing, the metal can be easily sawed with a hacksaw, shaped, or sharpened with a file. After the knife is given its final shape, it needs to be either in oil or water. But, unfortunately, knives made of this metal also rust.

The next metal we'll look at is a regular file. It is very easy to make a knife from a file, without any special machines. Take a file, heat it well, again with a blowtorch until red-hot, and let it cool. After this, it is very well processed with another file, sawed with a hacksaw to give it the desired shape. Next, hardening is carried out again in oil or water. The main thing is that in order to get a good knife from this metal, you need. There is no need to unforge this metal. We simply burn, sharpen, file, remove excess metal with hand tools or emery. And we get a pretty good knife.

You can also make it from an ordinary hacksaw for wood. It is also very easy to process, very elastic steel. It can be adapted, for example, to make a kitchen knife that will cut well and hold an edge well.

A car spring is also well suited for manufacturing. The only bad thing about a spring is that it needs to be unchained and properly heat treated. This is quite a time-consuming task. But if you build a homemade forge on your property, you can make a good knife from a piece of spring. Or just take it to the blacksmith, who will forge anything for you for a bottle of vodka.You can make a knife from a car valve. It also makes good stainless steel. The valve is heated to high temperature and hammered on an anvil. Then you need to shape the blade and harden it.

Very good knives are made from large drills. Clamp the drill in a vice, heat it until soft, take the gas keys and begin to slowly unscrew it. After this, you heat it up again and begin to unforge the resulting part, giving the required form. The drill will not be sharpened with a file. All work must be done on sandpaper.

The knife can be made of spring steel. There is no need to anneal this metal. You can immediately make a knife blade from the workpiece. This steel cannot be drilled with a regular drill. It is necessary to use a pobedit drill.

Now let's talk about rust, which is present in most metals. If you want your knife not to rust, you can treat it with sulfuric acid or phosphoric acid.

The article uses material from a video on YouTube

But you want to study the theoretical part first, because this is not a budget purchase.

Before you read the article, our promo code MHKNIFE gives you an 8% discount on any knife over 10,000 rubles from our range! Simply enter the code in the “Discount Coupon” box when placing your order.

What do you think is the key parameter when choosing a knife? His appearance? Design? Or maybe the size? No. A knife starts with steel. The quality, functionality and durability of the future blade depends on it. It is she who determines its value. We have tried to briefly outline the main types of steels, their comparison and characteristics.

From a physicochemical point of view, steel is an alloy of iron and carbon, to which special alloying components are added. They allow you to give the metal the desired properties and, in essence, determine the type of steel. Its performance characteristics also depend on production processes, rolling and hardening.

Key material characteristics

1. Hardness. This parameter demonstrates the ability of a material not to deform under force or pressure. It is measured according to the Rockwell scale (HRC).
2. Strength. This characteristic reflects the material’s resistance to chipping and cracking when used in difficult conditions. It also shows how much the blade can bend without becoming completely deformed.
3. Corrosion resistance. A parameter characterizing the resistance of steel to rust, pitting and other corrosive damage caused by environmental influences.
4. Wear resistance. A characteristic that determines the resistance of a material to adhesive and abrasive effects. It depends on the chemical composition of the steel and its hardness.
5. Edge retention. An important parameter that determines how long the blade will remain sharp with regular use. There is no standardized way to measure this parameter. It is determined subjective feelings users.

It is worth noting that the highest HRC value does not indicate high quality steel. This material will hold the cutting edge perfectly, but cracks and chips will appear on it quite quickly. Moreover, a blade that is too hard can break like glass. But steel that is too soft cannot be considered high quality - it will hardly cut most materials.

Strength has no standard school of measurement. It's also worth considering that harder steel will likely have lower strength, and vice versa.

Oddly enough, steel that is almost completely protected from corrosion reduces the overall performance of the blade. Therefore, the corrosion resistance of the working knife should be moderate.

When considering two blades with the same hardness value, the one with more carbides in its composition will be more wear-resistant.

It would seem that in order to buy the perfect knife, you need to choose a model whose blade has the maximum performance of all the characteristics described above. In practice, everything is more complicated, because if the hardness of the blade is maximum, then it will turn out to be very fragile and will not be able to withstand even minimal interaction with hard materials. If the strength is maximum, the blade will not hold an edge. Therefore, only a knife in which all of the specified parameters are balanced can be considered ideal.

Types of steels

Three types of steel are actively used in knife production today:

• instrumental. It is used in the manufacture of cutting tools and is characterized by high hardness. Examples of tool steel are alloys D2, O1, CPM 3V and M4;
• carbon. This is a strong and durable material that is suitable for use in difficult conditions. Indispensable in the production of machetes, various knives for work and survival in difficult conditions. It is susceptible to corrosion, but is easy to sharpen and retains its sharpness for a long time. The most popular example of such steel is alloy 1095.
• stainless steel. A type of carbon steel that contains at least 13% chromium and other additives that improve the performance properties of the material, but reduce its strength. Steels of this type include alloys Sandvik, VG, 400, SxxV, MoV, AUS, 154CM, CTS, etc.

Review of modern steels used in knife production

Budget steels

Mid-level steels

Steel	Features of the composition	Characteristics	Application
1095	Contains about 1% carbon.	Holds the cutting edge well, is not afraid of corrosion, and is not susceptible to chipping. Can be sharpened to razor sharpness.	It is one of the most used steels due to its good performance and inexpensive production. Indispensable for the production of large knives with fixed blades used by tourists and other persons when performing heavy work.
13C26	The material is similar to 440A steel, but the percentage of chromium and carbon in it is slightly higher.	AEB-L version released by the Sandvik brand. Resistant to oxidation, quite hard.	The steel is designed specifically for razor blades.
420 HC	Increased carbon content.	Considered the best representative of the 420 series. Has high hardness. Due to high-quality heat treatment, it can demonstrate excellent anti-oxidation properties and confidently hold the cutting edge.	Since this steel is considered one of the best in resistance to corrosion processes, it is used by many well-known manufacturers, for example, Buck.
440A	Compared to 420CH, this material contains more carbon.	Solid steel, capable of holding a cutting edge for a long time. Afraid of corrosion.	Wide scope of application.

Quality steels

1. 14 C28N- stainless steel, which is an improved 13C26 steel (corrosion resistance has been increased). In its composition, the amount of carbon was reduced and the proportion of chromium was increased, and nitrogen also appeared. The steel is produced by the Sandvik brand from Sweden and is distinguished by the ability to sharpen to a razor-like finish. The Kershaw brand is very fond of this steel.
2. 8 Cr13MoV. Chinese material, the characteristics of which are similar to those of AUS-8 steel. But steel from China contains more carbon. Valued for its balanced price-quality combination, it is actively used by Spyderco and other well-known brands.
3. CTS-BD1. Material developed by the American brand Carpenter specifically for Spyderco. Similar to AUS-8 and 8Cr13MoV materials, but superior to them in terms of cutting edge retention. Moreover, the steel in question, due to its high chromium content, better resists corrosion. It is easy to sharpen (it contains small carbides), although the sharpening time is inferior to materials with large carbides (for example, G-10).
4. AUS-8. Durable Japanese steel, similar in properties to 440C material. It differs from the latter in lower hardness and greater corrosion resistance. Effortlessly sharpens to a razor-sharp state, although it retains the cutting edge worse than its older comrades, which contain more chromium.
5. 440 C. A universal material that has long been considered the leader among knife steels. It lost its position only with the advent of super steels. Today it is used to produce tools of average cost, characterized by exceptional corrosion resistance (contains the maximum carbon and chromium among steels in this subgroup), fairly high wear resistance and hardness. It keeps the cutting edge sharp better than 420HC steel, and is no less easy to sharpen.

High quality steel

Steel	Features of the composition	Characteristics	Application
N680	17% chromium; 0.2% nitrogen	Excellent anti-corrosion capabilities. Easy to sharpen. Holds the cutting edge well. It is considered an affordable modification of the H1, but in terms of edge preservation it is significantly inferior to the ATS-34 and 154CM.	Suitable for knives and other products that are often exposed to salt water.
H1		Excellent corrosion resistance and almost no rust. But it doesn't hold the edge very well.	Such steel produces best knives for swimming underwater. But for EDC it is better to use a different material.
VG-10	Contains strength-increasing vanadium. It exceeds steel 154CM and ATS-34 in chromium content.	It features high levels of anti-corrosion resistance and strength. Has sufficient strength. It retains the sharpness of the blade quite well, but there is a risk of chipping since the steel is brittle. Overall, a good, and most importantly, time-tested option.	It is actively used by the Spyderco brand and other companies operating in a similar price segment.
D2	It is called “semi-stainless” because it contains less chromium than analogues, but still resists corrosion well.	It surpasses steel 154CM and ATS-34 in hardness and holds an edge well. In terms of strength, it is confidently “average” and does not sharpen well.	Suitable for the production of high-quality and not too expensive knives.
154CM	Contains molybdenum. The amount of chromium is significantly less than that of 440C steel.	It is considered an improved version of the 440C material. It has equally outstanding resistance to oxidation and is distinguished by decent strength. Holds the edge perfectly. Excellent sharpening using abrasives.	Widely used by leading manufacturers, including Benchmade.
ATS -34	The composition is similar to material 154CM.	Japanese equivalent 154CM. Characterized by high quality. Compared to 440C, it has a greater tendency to corrosion, but holds the edge better.	A popular steel among many knifemakers.

Premium steel

Steel	Features of the composition	Characteristics	Application
CPM S30V	Contains vanadium carbides and niobium.	It is not afraid of corrosion and holds the edge perfectly. Has a very hard alloy matrix. Thanks to niobium, it is easy to process. The balance of hardness and strength is almost perfect.	American manufacturers love to use this steel to produce professional kitchen utensils, various models pocket knives.
CPM S35VN	It has a fine-grained structure. Contains niobium.	This steel is an improved variation of the incredibly popular S30V material. It is distinguished by exceptional strength and easy sharpening, oxidation resistance and the ability to confidently hold an edge.	It is used as widely as S30V steel. It is considered an example of super steels.
CPM M4		High performance carbon material exhibiting superior edge holding ability. It is characterized by high strength, wear resistance and amenability to processing. Because of small quantity Chromium in the composition is afraid of corrosion. Difficult to sharpen.	A good option for those cases when the knife must be durable and wear-resistant at the same time.

Ultra premium steel

1. CTS-XHP- material from an American brand that appeared on the market not so long ago. It has a hardness of 61 HRC and the ability to hold an edge confidently - better than the S30V material. This steel is produced from powder with very fine grains. In many ways it is similar to D2 material, but it resists corrosion much more effectively. Sharpening requires some effort.
2. Elmax. Another powder steel, which contains a high content of molybdenum, chromium and vanadium. It is not afraid of oxidizing substances, is characterized by exceptional wear resistance and long-term edge retention. Steel belongs to the class of stainless steel, but its properties are in many ways similar to carbon materials. Sharpening is relatively easy. Elmax is rightfully considered one of the best steels in the world. It is used by many premium manufacturers, including Bohler.
3. ZDP-189- Hitachi steel with a very high percentage of chromium and carbon in the alloy. Its hardness reaches 64 HRC, as a result, the cutting edge is held perfectly. But sharpening requires considerable effort, as does corrosion protection - the resistance of this material to oxidative processes is significantly lower than that of S30V.
4. M390- third generation steel containing tungsten, molybdenum, vanadium and chromium. It holds the edge confidently and resists corrosion, is wear-resistant and hard. After heat treatment, the latter parameter can reach a value of 60-62 HRC.
5. CPMS90V- expensive material with a high carbon content. Also includes vanadium, which is three times more than S30V and Elmax. The steel is incredibly resistant to abrasions and wear, and holds the cutting edge perfectly. But it is not easy to machine it, just like other steels of this class.

A few words about powder steel

In the descriptions above, you probably noticed the abbreviation CPM in the names of some steels. This abbreviation can be translated into Russian as Crucible powder metallurgy. Crucible is the name of an American brand that produces tool steels of exceptional quality.

The company uses a special technology, as a result of which molten steel is processed into fine powder. It is pressed into forms prepared in advance, in which it is subsequently baked. It is easy to introduce various additives into such powder, which makes it possible to produce steel with certain operational parameters.

Is Damascus steel that good?

At one time, legends were made about Damascus steel. They were put together so successfully that people uninitiated in knife art still think that such steel is a true standard. We hasten to dispel this myth. Damascus steel is inferior to most modern alloys. It is interesting only because of its unusual swirling design, which is of interest mainly to collectors.

Let's sum it up

As you can see, perfect steel does not exist. But for each task there is its own optimal version of the metal alloy. This is the one that should be chosen. We also advise you to pay attention to other characteristics finished product: its design, construction, workmanship, etc. After all, in fact, all modern knife steels fully satisfy the needs of the average user. The difference is noticeable only to professionals.

This article covers the topic at hand, however, if you still have additional questions, contact us for advice and help with your choice by phone or leave a request on the website.

For those attentive who have read the article to the end and have not yet purchased from us, we repeat that we have prepared a special promo code MHKNIFE, which gives you an 8% discount on any knife over 10,000 rubles from our range! Simply enter the code in the “Discount Coupon” box when placing your order.

A good knife assumes that high-quality steel was used in its production process. But what does this mean? What grade of steel can be called the best? Does the material of the blade really have such an impact? significant influence on the performance characteristics of the knife?

Which steel is better for a knife: basic parameters

Traditionally, there is a list of characteristics that determine the quality of steel. This list included:

Strength	Determines what mechanical loads the alloy can withstand while minimally changing its shape.
Hardness	This refers to the ability of steel to resist penetration into the alloy foreign bodies. Measured according to the Rockwell scale. A good indicator for standard pocket knives is considered to be in the range of 52-58 HRc.
Elasticity	Indicates the ability of the material to restore its original shape after exposure to load.
Wear resistance	Describes the abrasion resistance of steel, i.e. how difficult it is for microparticles to separate from it during friction.
Corrosion resistance	Determines the ability of the alloy to resist corrosive processes.
Viscosity	Indicates how well a metal can withstand impact without being damaged.

Before you begin to analyze the types of steel, you should find out what this material is. In its chemical composition you can “meet” the following elements:

1. Carbon (C). The main component of steel. “Responsible” for strength and hardness.
2. Chromium (Cr). An essential component of stainless steel. Increases the degree of corrosion resistance, helps increase wear resistance and hardenability. An excess of chromium can cause the alloy to become brittle.
3. Manganese (Mn). Contained in almost all modern types of steel. Guarantees strength, wear resistance, good hardenability.
4. Silicon (Si). Makes the alloy reliable and stable. Improves strength and wear resistance.
5. Molybdenum (Mo). “Helps” maintain strength under impact high temperatures, provides viscosity, hardness, hardenability, and corrosion resistance. The element helps improve the machinability of the material.
6. Nickel (Ni). His “area of ​​interests” are strength, corrosion resistance, toughness.
7. Vanadium (V). Increases wear resistance and guarantees hardenability.

Sometimes steel also contains nitrogen (N), sulfur (S), niobium (N), tungsten (W).

In many ways, the parameters of the alloy depend not so much on the composition as on the characteristics of hardening. If the blade is not hardened enough, it may be excessively soft and quickly bend. Otherwise, there is a risk of increased fragility and fragility.

The best steel for a knife: domestic production

Domestic brands are usually more affordable than imported ones, but at the same time they are often not inferior in quality. Among the market leaders are the following names:

Brand	Pros	Cons	Where is it most often used?
65Х13 (“medical”)	no risk of rust easy sharpening	increased softness, which causes knives to quickly become dull	Inexpensive knives.
65G	availability good cutting performance	strong tendency to rust sensitivity to loads that cause steel to burst or bend	Throwing and homemade knives.
40Х12	zero risk of corrosion simple sharpening no special care requirements	excessive softness tendency of knives to bend and become dull	Souvenir blades. Budget kitchen knives.
95Х18	good hardness, flexibility and strength long-term retention of blade sharpness	difficult hardening and processing process difficult sharpening Corrosion may occur with prolonged contact with water or salt	Good kitchen knives.
50Х14МФ	strength good edge retention hardness	low risk of rust due to prolonged exposure to moisture	Hunting and kitchen knives.

Occasionally, 65X13 steel falls into the hands of real masters of their craft, who harden it to good hardness. But much more often such knives belong to the category of consumer goods and can only be used as a working tool, from which no one expects much.

Typically kitchen steel is 40X12. Knives made from it are quite capable of “surviving” for a long time if they are used in a “gentle mode”, without trying to split something really hard with a blade.

Brand 95Х18 is an excellent option provided that the knives are produced in a high-quality manner. If any errors were made during the processing process, the blade may become excessively fragile or flexible.

Steel 50Х14МФ is considered universal, but it should be approached with caution: long thin blades with proper hardness may be too brittle.

The best steel for a knife: foreign brands

Foreign manufacturers are actively supplying the domestic market with knives made using the following steel grades:

Brand	Pros	Cons	Where is it most often used?
420	affordability resistance to rust	risk of purchasing a low-quality product heavy weight of the knife	Kitchen and “underwater” knives. Souvenir products.
425, 425mod	slightly higher hardness compared to grade 420 increase in sharpening resistance	complex production process high cost	It is rare, in fact it is a modification of 420 steel.
440 (A, C)	resistance to rust (440A) hardness (440C)	softness (440A) fragility, susceptibility to corrosion when exposed to salt and moisture (440 C)	440A: Underwater knives. Models for survival. High quality kitchen knives. This brand acts as a kind of standard.

420 steel is the most common material on the market. But you need to choose a knife very carefully. The quality of the product directly depends on the manufacturer:

• Chinese knives are similar in characteristics to the domestic brand 40X12. Their only significant advantage is the absence of rust;
• Japanese models are of good quality;
• Spanish products resemble “Chinese” ones in terms of softness;
• German manufacturers (Magnum, Beker) along with Austrian (Fortuna) and Swiss (Wenger, Victorinox) produce carefully crafted knives characterized by excellent hardness;
• Americans (Buck, SOG) are considered one of the best manufacturers knives: the hardness of a thin and elastic blade is usually 57 HRc.

Often, 420 steel products are not directly marked. They may either have no inscription at all, or indicate the word denoting “stainless steel” (for example, Stainless Steel, Inox, Rostfrei).

The classic version of steel for knives is the 440 series grade. It corresponds to the AUS line, which almost completely repeats the features of its “predecessor”. The main disadvantage is the lower chromium content, which makes the alloy more fragile. However, AUS10 makes very good knives.
In terms of hardness properties, ATS34 and 154-SM steel are similar to grade 440C. Such knives cost a little more and are more prone to corrosion, but they cut well, hold an edge for a long time and are durable. Also analogues of 440C can be called the GIN1 and VG10 brands - they are considered one of the most advanced technologies for the production of knives.

Well-chosen steel is undoubtedly important for comfortable use of a knife. But a much more significant role is played by the geometry of the blade and the features of the handle. Therefore, there is no point in focusing excessive attention on the steel brand.

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TOP 10 best knife steels

We have prepared for you a rating of the most popular steels used in the manufacture of knife blades. In our rating, we were based on a survey of our respected visitors and buyers of the TOP KNIFE online store. The survey was conducted over the course of a whole year.

So, our TOP 10 knife steels:

1. M390

2.ELMAX

3. D2

4.CPM S30V

5. X12MF

6. CPM S35VN

7. 440C

8. VG-10

9. ZDP-189

10. AUS-8.

Let's look at the listed steels in more detail.

1. M390 (Austria) - premium martensitic chromium powder steel produced by the Austrian steel company Bohler-Uddeholm( Austria). Unique powder metallurgical manufacturing process ensures uniform distribution of carbides throughout chemical elements steel. M390 steel is widely used in medical and surgical instruments, in industry for the production of various machines that perform the complex process of drilling hard materials. The average hardening range is 58-62 HRs.

Steel composition: Carbon (C) - 1.90%, Chromium (Cr) - 20.00%, Molybdenum (Mo) - 1.00%, Vanadium (V) - 4.00%, Silicon (Si) - 0.70% , Manganese (Mn) - 0.30%, Tungsten (W) - 0.60%.

Knife blades made of M390 steel have increased corrosion resistance, ultra-high performance, excellent cutting ability and wear resistance due to the very high content of vanadium and chromium carbides. The M390, along with the CPM 30V-35VN, Elmax and Vanax 35, represent a kind of “gold standard” for the production of mid- and high-end utility knives.

Analogs: USA - Duratech 20CV (CPM 20CV), CTS-XHP, CTS 204P.

2. ELMAX (Austria) - chrome-molybdenum-vanadium powder stainless tool steel produced by Böhler-Uddeholm (Sweden-Austria). Initially, steel was intended for the manufacture of cutting elements for machines processing plastics of various compositions and properties. It is characterized by very high corrosion resistance, long-lasting cutting edge sharpness, ease of sharpening and significant strength - all this has found its application in the manufacture of knife blades by various manufacturers. The hardness range of blades made from ELMAX steel is 58-62 Hrc.

Steel composition: Carbon (C) 1.7%, Silicon (Si) 0.8%, Manganese (Mn) 0.3%, Chromium (Cr) 18.0%, Molybdenum (Mo) 1.0%, Vanadium ( V) 3.0%.

ELMAX steel has the best price-quality ratio and outperforms similar steels S30V and RWL34 in terms of production cost without compromising the consumer properties of blades.

In its composition, ELMAX steel is very similar to 440C steel, used in the production of knives. The difference is the presence of vanadium in the composition. The steel holds various sharpening angles well, grinds well, but does not withstand impact loads and lateral fracture loads.

ELMAX steel blade is an excellent solution for utility knife. Used for the production of knives of middle and higher classes.

3. D2 (USA)- “semi-stainless” alloy tool steel made in the USA. D2 steel is often used to make high-speed cutters. Despite not being 100 percent corrosion resistant, this indicator is significantly superior to any carbon steel.

Steel composition: Carbon (C) 1.50%, Manganese (Mn) 0.60%, Silicon (S)i 0.60%, Chromium (Cr) 12.00%, Molybdenum (Mo) 1.00%, Vanadium (V) 1.10%, Nickel (Ni) 0.30%.

Steel has high strength, which allows you to maintain the sharpness of the cutting edge for a long time. The hardness range of steel used in the production of knife blades is 57-61 HRc.

Analogs: Germany 1.2379 (X155CrVMo12-1), Russia X12MF.

4. CPM S30V (USA)- powder martensitic (high-carbon) stainless steel from Crucible Materials Corporation (USA), which has been producing the CPM (Crucible Particle Metallurgy process) family of powder steels since the 70s of the 20th century: CPM S30V, CPM S60V, CPM S90V.

Steel composition: Carbon (C) - 1.45%, Chromium (Cr) - 14%, Vanadium (V) - 4%, Molybdenum (Mo) - 2%.

Presence of steel in the chemical composition more vanadium carbides significantly increase the cutting and strength properties of knife blades. A blade made of S30V steel has four times higher fracture strength than 440C steel and 3.5 times higher than 154CM steel. This makes the cutting edge highly resistant to chipping and chipping, making it an excellent material for blades. In terms of ability to hold an edge (wear resistance), S30V steel exceeds 440C by 45%, and 154CM by 30%. According to Buck Knives, S30V is "the finest blade steel available." S30V is used for the production of blades by almost all leading knife manufacturing companies: Buck , Spyderco , Zero Tolerance , Strider Kives , Chris Reeve and others. It can safely be called the “gold standard” for serial and piece knives of medium and upper class. Most manufacturers process it to a hardness of 58-60 Hrc. In terms of its properties, S30V is one of the most balanced steels in comparison with modern D2, 440C and 154CM. It has excellent cutting properties, high corrosion resistance, impact toughness, the ability to hold an edge for a long time and quickly restore it when straightening.

5. X12MF (Russia)

6. CPM S35VN (USA)- martensitic powder stainless steel, produced by the American metallurgical company Crucible Industries (USA), is an improved version of CPMS30V steel in terms of impact strength. Process Powder steel making allows the production of very uniform, high quality steel that is superior in stability, uniformity and toughness compared to traditional smelt-produced steels. A famous knife designer took part in the development of this steel. Chris Reeve(Chris Reeve) from South Africa(SOUTH AFRICA).

Steel composition: Carbon (C) - 1.40%, Chromium (Cr) - 14.00%, Niobium (Nb) - 0.50%, Molybdenum (Mo) - 2.00%, Vanadium (V) - 3.00% .

The presence of niobium carbides in S35VN makes it possible to increase the strength properties of the blade in terms of hardness by 15-20% compared to CPM S30V steel. Improved CPMS35VN steel is more resistant to chipping during use and holds an edge better than conventional high-chrome steels such as 440C and D2. Blades made from S35VN steel are easy to sharpen. The blade hardness range is 58-61 Hrc.

7. 440C (USA)- modern chromium steel with an excellent combination of high hardness and excellent corrosion resistance. Of the entire group of 440 steels, it is most suitable for the production of folding knife blades, as it is the hardest.

Steel composition: Carbon (C) - 1.10%, Chromium (Cr) - 17.00%, Silicon (Si) - 1.00%, Manganese (Mn) - 1.00%, Molybdenum (Mo) - 0.75%, Phosphorus (P) - 0.04%, Sulfur(S) - 0.03%.

It has good cutting edge resistance to dullness and relative ease of sharpening. For a long time, 440C steel was considered the standard for high-quality stainless steel for knives and is considered one of the most balanced knife steels in its properties. The steel is quite common throughout the world and has a well-deserved positive reputation, but it is also the most expensive of the 440 group of steels. The range of hardness 440C used in the production of knife blades is 58-60 HRc.

Analogs: Russia 95Х18, Germany X102CrMo17, France Z100CD17, Japan AUS-10.

8. VG-10 (Japan)- developed by Takefu Special Steel Co., Ltd. (Japan). It is a high-carbon and corrosion-resistant steel alloyed with cobalt and molybdenum.

Steel composition: Carbon (C) 0.95-1.05%; Chromium (Cr) 14.50-15.50%; Cobalt(Co) 1.30-1.50%; Vanadium(V) 0.50%; Molybdenum (Mo) 0.90-1.20%.

The toughness of this steel allows hardening to a hardness of 60-63 Hrc, while maintaining optimal cutting edge properties. Distinctive feature VG-10 is based on the use of cobalt in its composition, an expensive and rare alloying additive in alloys, which gives steel more hardness and toughness. VG-10 steel is used in the production of knives by many of the world's leading brands. In Japan, blades from this steel are made by Mcusta, Mikadzo, Tojiro, Kasumi and other companies. Spyderco , Cold Steel , SOG , Camillus , FALLKNIVEN , Browning and others, not only make blades from VG-10, but many of them completely place the production of their knives in Japan. Knives with blades made of VG-10 are characterized by very high resistance to corrosion (they practically do not rust). They are easy to “razor” when sharpened, are not as fragile as “bearing” steels and, compared to other blade alloys, hold the sharpening edge of the main phase of working use, which begins after the loss of the first, “factory” sharpening and ends when it becomes necessary to sharpen a dull knife.

9. ZDP-189 (Japan)- powder tool super-steel with a high content of chromium and carbon. Produced since 1996 for the knife industry by the Japanese metallurgical company Hitachi Metals (Japan) based on the technology of amorphous metal alloys. It is one of the most structurally balanced high-carbon steels. ZDP-189 steel is characterized by impact resistance and high corrosion resistance.

Steel composition: Carbon (C) - 2.90-3.00%, Chromium (Cr) - 19.00-20.50%, Molybdenum (Mo) - 0.90-1.0%, Vanadium (V) - 0.25-0.35%, Silicon (Si) - 0.35%, Manganese (Mn) - 0.50%, Tungsten (W) - 0.60%.

Some knife manufacturers harden their ZDP-189 steel blades to a hardness of 69 HRc. With such hardness, large impact and mechanical loads should be avoided.

Analogues: no.

10. AUS-8 (Japan)- corrosion-resistant steel produced by Aichi Steel Works (Japan).

Steel composition: Carbon (C) - 0.80%, Chromium (Cr) - 14.5%, Silicon (Si) - 0.60%, Manganese (Mn) - 0.40%, Vanadium (V) - 0, 30%, Molybdenum (Mo) - 1.1%.

Along with AUS-6 steel, AUS-8 is one of the most widely used Japanese stainless steels by knife manufacturers around the world. Blades made of this steel have an optimal ratio of flexibility and hardness of 56-59 Hrs. They are characterized by excellent cutting properties, mechanical endurance, high quality workmanship, corrosion resistance and relatively low price. Knives with AUS-8 blades do not require frequent sharpening and most brands of abrasives and improvised tools that do not require special skills are suitable for them.
AUS-8A steel is produced for an American company Cold Steel and differs from AUS-8 with a slightly higher carbon content (1%). In terms of their consumer properties, these are the same steel.

Analogs: USA steel 440C; Japan AUS-8(AUS-8A); Sweden AEB-L; China 8Cr13MoV; RF 75Х16МФ and 95Х18.

We thank everyone who took part in our survey and hope you enjoyed learning about the ten most popular steels.

Sincerely,

The key component of every hunting knife is the blade. To ensure that it faithfully fulfills its purpose, it is made of high-quality steel that meets certain parameters. Therefore, when choosing such a tool, a beginner needs to carefully understand which steel is best for a knife and what its advantages are. In this case, the purchase will be successful.

The rating of the best knife steels today is determined by the characteristics of the material and customer reviews. Any steel is created on the basis of iron and carbon, but it also contains additional components that provide the product with the necessary performance properties. The quality of the final product directly depends on both heat treatment and finishing processes, including hardening. When making knife steel, the manufacturer uses complex chemical processes and advanced technologies to make it as sharp and durable as possible. Among the key characteristics of such an invention are:

Features Overview

When figuring out which steel is best for a hunting knife, it is important to consider in detail each characteristic of the material. If we talk about strength, it determines the knife’s resistance to impressive loads and the ability of the product not to lose integrity under intense impact on the blade. Such models are not afraid of all kinds of cracks, chips and other deformations. They also do not break under bends, which is a serious advantage for a professional hunting tool.

Key characteristics include hardness. Taking this indicator into account, a knife is selected for a specific environment of use. In some situations, the product must cope with lateral loads, so the value of hardness comes to the fore. As hardness increases, strength deteriorates, causing even the hardest blades to become vulnerable to chipping or deform under significant load.

Expensive cutting material, which is used in the manufacture of kitchen knives or models for hunting and fishing, is also characterized by a long service life and wear resistance. It is not afraid of prolonged loads and operation for several years. Other parameters are added to this property, including:

1. Corrosion resistance.
2. Resistant to high temperatures.

When trying to understand which steel knives are better, it is important to pay attention to their areas of application, pros and cons, as well as the characteristics of the chosen model. But absolutely all knife steels consist of carbon and iron, combined in equal quantities.

When the first component predominates, tin is created, and the second - cast iron. In addition, the properties of the material may change depending on the presence of chemical additives and impurities. Often among additional elements the following options are used:

1. Vanadium.
2. Nickel.
3. Silicon.
4. Chromium.
5. Manganese.

Main varieties

It is difficult for an inexperienced buyer to decide on the choice of steel grade for a knife. Which is better and what are its advantages is a complex question that requires detailed consideration. However, most people are familiar with popular names such as damask steel and damascus steel, which were often found in action films or adventure books. Both varieties are characterized unique properties, making them something of a legend.

If we consider the damask version, it was often mentioned in epics and tales about great heroes. The alloy consists of complex carbon compounds and small fractions of iron. It is distinguished by the presence of a specific pattern and fibrous structure. A damask knife, created using appropriate technology, is a strong tool with excellent strength and cutting properties. It can be used both for kitchen work and for hunting or fishing.

The Damascus variety is also surrounded by numerous myths, fairy tales and legends. This alloy has an attractive pattern and consists of iron with a predominance of carbon. The composite elements used make the knife flexible and durable. But the key difference between this type of steel is the specific pattern formed as a result of chaotic mixing of layers.

Most modern manufacturers use powder, Japanese, carbon, Russian and Chinese varieties of steel. All of the listed options differ from each other by specific features, on which the scope of their application and the cost of the final product depend. It is problematic to call one of the options the best, because everything is learned by comparison.

Popular brands

A professional knifemaker will be able to independently create an adequate classification best brands steel. But the average user cannot do this task. Therefore, to simplify it, it will be useful to familiarize yourself with a special table that lists all brands and their properties.

To the most popular Time-tested and experienced brands include the following options:

Leading manufacturers

When considering the issue of choosing a hunting knife, it would not hurt to study a review of the world's leading manufacturers, who enjoy the trust of thousands of customers and have a lot good reviews. The list of leaders includes the German Solingen, Swiss “Wenger”, as well as “Winkinson” from England. There are also other companies in the leading positions in the ranking, but these three giants are considered true legends in their field.

When buying a new knife, you should pay attention to German products. She was always famous highest quality workmanship and elegant design. Such knives can serve their owner for many years without losing their initial sharpening and basic working properties. However, their cost often exceeds hundreds of dollars.

You should also familiarize yourself with the range of Finnish, Japanese and American manufacturers. Products from these countries have also earned worldwide respect and have been tested by many years of consumer experience.

As for the domestic market, knives from the Kizlyar and Zlatoust factories are steadily leading. They are created taking into account advanced technologies and standards, which makes them good competitors for leading foreign models. In addition, some products even surpass them.

Common solutions

Currently, the most famous steel grade for hunting knives in the domestic space is 440C. This material is characterized by increased elasticity and low hardness. The knife is easy to sharpen and does not lose its sharpness over time. The presence of chromium and molybdenum additives guarantees excellent corrosion resistance and durability.

A good domestic alternative for this grade is CPM 440 V steel. It is obtained by forging a powder metal mixture under heat treatment.

Unlike the original brand, this material is more wear-resistant and durable. It is characterized by long-lasting sharpness retention. However, sharpening such a product is not easy - to do this you need to use a special machine or take the knife to a master.

Also included worthy alternatives for the 440C brand there is a foreign development of 155 CM from an American manufacturer and ATS-35 from Japan. According to experts, such varieties are the most suitable for the production of hunting knives. They are not afraid of rust, can withstand impressive loads, and are also easy to use. One of the disadvantages of the alloy is its high cost.

If we talk about the most strong steels in the world, which are superior to other solutions in terms of hardness, these include grades XB5 and X12MV, made of high-carbon metal. The first option is based on diamond alloy steel and is characterized by a hardness of up to 70 HRC. It has amazing cutting properties, which is important for hunting purposes. The alloy contains tungsten and chromium additives, which increase the strength of the material.

The hardness of the X12MV grade corresponds to 60 HRC. The alloy contains chromium, which provides resistance to rust, as well as molybdenum, which promotes good toughness. The alloy also contains vanadium, which makes the blade heat-resistant. With proper maintenance, such a blade will serve its owner for a very long time without the need for re-sharpening.

When choosing a future knife for good hunting or fishing, you should not rush to the first cheap offer. It is inappropriate to rush into such a painstaking matter. Such a tool should remain of the highest quality and comfortable to use. It should not be afraid of impressive loads, exposure to moisture or other factors.

When making a choice, first of all you need to pay attention to the material of the blade. It must be of the highest quality and have the correct shape. It is recommended to give preference to models from trusted manufacturers that enjoy worldwide respect and positive reviews. In this case, the new knife will become not only a good tool for professional hunting, but also best friend and a hunter's assistant.