As someone who has way too many knives, I’m often asked about the purpose of various blade shapes. I’ll admit that I didn’t know a single thing about blade shapes or types when I started buying knives. I just bought them because they looked cool. However, I soon learned that all types of blades have …
At A GlanceSG2, also known as Super Gold 2 or SGPS, is a high-carbon stainless steel that is highly regarded for its excellent edge retention, sharpness, and overall durability. Produced through powder metallurgy, it has a fine, uniform grain structure that contributes to its performance. SG2 steel can achieve a hardness level of up to …
At A GlanceCTS-XHP is a high-quality, American-made stainless steel that is considered an excellent choice for knife-making due to its superior performance and durability. This steel offers a desirable combination of properties including high corrosion resistance, excellent edge retention, and remarkable toughness. It boasts a high carbon and chromium content, which contribute significantly to its …
At A GlanceSandvik 12C27, a martensitic stainless chromium steel originating from Swedish manufacturer Sandvik, is considered a good choice for knife steel. It offers a balance of excellent wear resistance, corrosion resistance, and high hardness, making it popular in the knife-making industry. While it might not measure up to some high-end steels, it is a …
At A Glance7Cr17Mov is a Chinese stainless steel known for its affordability and reasonable quality, making it a solid option for those in search of budget-friendly and durable knives. It is a modified version of the 440A steel and has similar properties to 8cr13mov stainless steel. The composition of 7Cr17Mov includes a high concentration of …
At A GlanceCPM MagnaCut, developed by Larrin Thomas and produced by Crucible Industries in 2021, is considered a superior knife steel due to its balance of edge retention, toughness, and corrosion resistance. Its innovative composition lowers chromium content compared to other stainless steels, resulting in enhanced performance characteristics. This fine-grained, stainless steel achieves the toughness …
At A GlanceNitro-V steel, introduced in 2017 by New Jersey Steel Baron and Buderus Steel, is a superior version of Uddeholm AEB-L steel, enriched with nitrogen and vanadium. This unique composition results in a highly durable and corrosion-resistant knife steel, with exceptional edge retention capabilities. It is particularly well-suited for manufacturing thin blades, as used …
At A GlanceCTS 204P is an excellent choice for knife steel, produced by Carpenter Technology Corporation using a Powder Metallurgy process. It’s a top choice for heavy-duty knives due to its durability and performance. Its Rockwell hardness rating is typically around 60-62, enabling it to maintain a sharp edge over prolonged periods and resist chipping …
At A GlanceAEB-L steel, originally manufactured by Bohler-Uddeholm, is considered a good choice for knife steel due to its balance of hardness, toughness, corrosion resistance, and ease of sharpening. Originally developed for razor blades, AEB-L has gained popularity in the knife-making industry for its exceptional sharpness and edge retention. Its chemical composition, which includes 0.67% …
At A GlanceCPM S90V is a high-end stainless steel manufactured by Crucible Industries, recognized for its outstanding wear resistance, good corrosion resistance, and excellent edge retention, thanks to its high carbon and vanadium content. While the steel is more challenging to sharpen and can lead to more expensive knives due to its hardness, it offers …