If the properties of a knife meet your knife needs and it has the above characteristics, then it qualifies as a quality knife. Carbon steels are those that have primarily carbon added to them with some Mn or Si as well. show very different and even inversed behaviour (e.g. Required fields are marked *. The old rule in steels used to be corrosion resistance, toughness, or hardness choose two. But SM100 (the trade name for Nitinol 60) threw that out the window when introduced to the cutlery world. Here, read on for an in-depth look at common knife steels as well as the best knife steels around. Note:There is a powder-metal version called CPM154 thats purer than the non-powder version, making it easier for knifemakers to grind. However, many kinds of wood are REALLY tough and very hard on blades. I've heard d2 is miles better and i dont want to pay 90 for the p135 and get a significantly inferior blade to paying 110 for the D2 Rat. LC200N Like 154CM, there is a newer version, S35VN, which shares many of the same attributes as S30V but is easier to craft into a knife thanks to niobium. I have a bachelor's degree in Mechanical engineering with a specialization in material science. Choose a factor below to start sorting. Edge retention is the ability of a knife to maintain cutting ability during cutting. A proprietary steel and heat treat developed by Busse Knives, INFI is an excellent performer and one of the best steels for big choppers on the market. This does not predict which knife will cut longer or be more resistant to chipping. Sign up to receive GearJunkie content direct to your inbox. This is the basis on which I do the ratings rather than a linear scale. Hammering through hickory, digging at roots in sandy soil, and cutting around bone did nothing to chip, dent, or roll the edge of my 3V knives. If you are a newbie to steel knives and the differences are not yet clear, come with us to the next section as we look into each knifes characteristics, pros, and cons. most knives are being made out of these and other mediocre steels like 14c28n, 420j2, 425m. But the true calling card of INFI is its insane toughness. You do not expect the prices to be as low as those of low-end knives, but you will get high performance at affordable prices with either. Hi there, and yet millons of knives are being made out of 1.4116 (aisi 420mov?) For example, the Si space is blank for several of the carbon steels because they have a relatively wide acceptable range, not because the element isnt added. These steels offer a great balance of characteristics that work well, from big choppers to thin slicers. D2 steel also offers similar toughness levels as the 14c28n steel, so both aren't really prone to chipping with proper use. But unlike most high-end steels, SPY27 is an easily user-serviceable powder steel. How long sharpen? The 14C28N, on the other hand, is tougher. Its OK to be a steel snob, but keep in mind that you dont have to if you want a good knife. Is there a reason SG2/R2 are not included in the lineup, despite being one of the most popular ones? High Alloy Tool Steel and High Speed Steel Ratings. Does that mean that companies like Tops, Kabar and ESEE would be better off using 420HC instead of 1095 on their fixed blades? In use, its very similar to 440C and VG-10. As from features, for presenting d2 continue to grow in the knife industry, generally because of their working performance and reasonable price, a lot of superior low budget knives are building their reputation. Steels patina in the acid at varying rates which allows for one steel to etch darker than the other and show that famous patterned contrast. The definition of a quality knife differs among users because of varied needs, but there are basic properties that every quality knife must have. The unique process used to make LC 200N results in a fine-grain structure. Take a look at this edge retention test. But keep in mind that no steel is perfect for everything. its like with cars, most of them are not a corvette or a porsche. 14c28n is the most popular material for the knife: stainless steel and made by the Swedish company. Other factors that can be added in are corrosion resistance, hardness, and cost. D2 is a high carbon, high chromium die steel and is the highest carbon alloy tool and die steel typically used in knife making. Each of these contributes to a knifes overall performance. im led to believe tha the melting procedure is more important with these steels than the exact composition. Steels with very high vanadium content like Vanadis 8, CPM-10V, K390, CPM-15V, etc. But Ive found it lacking in hardness, even when compared to cheaper steels like AUS-8. just recently the idea occured tome to sharpen a planer blade like a knife and check out how it performs. Im going to give the ratings first and then give more explanation about how the ratings were created. Anyway, buff up the O1v and it cuts leather easily. I would love to see a Tungsten-Carbide blade (like Sandrin is using) and how it compares for Edge Retention, Toughness and Corrosion Resistance especially how it compares to s90v. Though technically not a stainless steel due to its composition, in use it performs exactly like one. Many steel ratings seem to over-emphasize edge retention. I would suggest adding a second axis to the ratings charts that show the data values that the 0-10 ratings are based on (unnotched charpy impact energy, 1% saltwater , Total cards cut, etc.). ZDP-189 can tarnish, though not as easily as 3V. I just want to thank you for all the work you do for the community and the world at large. Are you okay with that? Its soft, with very low carbon content. On the other hand, 9cr18mov has a slightly higher molybdenum content which gives it higher hardness from quenching and helps drive carbide formation. This is an American-made powder steel. In fact, its not technically a steel at all, as it uses titanium and nickel. This means consumers should be able to maintain these quality knives at home. Stainless steels usually top out around 64 Rc and may require careful heat treating to get there. We use a subsize, unnotched chapy test with 2.5 x 10 x 55 mm dimensions. It mainly made for knife and it high in Chromium for excellent corrosion resistance. Both of those things are no longer an issue as I now have way too many articles and a book. Crucible intends SPY27 to be good all-around knife steel. Liquid steel is sprayed through a tiny nozzle, solidifying into a powder. But it would be my recommendation for applications requiring extreme corrosion resistance. You will get an ultra-sharp edge with 14C28N knives. Several factors arent related to the steel you choose but seriously affect the nature of your knifes performance. Many custom makers enjoy AEB-L, as its easy to machine but still has a high hardness, around 62 HRc. as you mentioned catra indicates the edge angle as being by far the most important variable. and corrosion resistance than the 420HC steel. Could you please compare it to Shirogami #1 and Agomi #1, I didnt find anything in terms of grain size ragarding thoese steels on the Internert. Anthony Sculimbrene authors the blog EverydayCommentary.com. Even though it has very high hardness, its also still decently resistant to corrosion and quite tough. Some of these steels also have vanadium (CruForgeV) or tungsten (Blue Super, V-Toku2, 1.2519) for increased wear resistance. 9cr18mov vs 14c28n. The most balanced is CPM-MagnaCut which is in an area all by itself on the chart. The study of steel is now so complex and nuanced that one can acquire a graduate degree in the subject and still learn new things every day. Im a woodworker and Im interested in making better performing plane irons and chisels. Id like to quote some of your toughness, edge retention and corrosion resistance for balanced midfield steels, including yours, in some data tables. It had better than expected corrosion resistance due to the lack of chromium carbides, a behavior also seen in MagnaCut. Then you can compare 14c28n vs d2, and we hope you will find the right one for your needs. Now that we know what each factor represents, we can see how the steels rank against one another. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. Hello LARRIN, do you have a Rough estimate on when ApexUltra (as well as more Magnacut) will become available? So we get back to my original question: if a D2 planer blade at 58 Rc and the associated level of toughness will perform acceptably with a 30 sharpening angle, is there some way to extrapolate at what sharpening angle another steel with higher toughness might perform equally well? A hunting knife has a singlepurpose: processing meat after akill. Other factors include how thick your edge is, how dull your knife was at the start, the nature of the heat treatment, and what youre using to sharpen your knife. Like 154CM, its a good compromise between all three steel attributes. It has excellent edge retention, corrosion resistance, and ease of sharpening. Note that corrosion is detrimental for the cutting edge. Start comparing steels. With toughness it is a bit harder to link to only one article as I dont really have a summary of all of the toughness testing that we have done. The D2 version is heavier and harder, but doesn't cut as smoothly. Unfortunately a high amount of it decreases strength. Properties: 14C28N: D2: Edge retention: 4/10: 7/10: Ease of sharpening: 6/10: 3/10: Corrosion resistance: 4/10: 4/10: Toughness: 6/10: 6/10: CIVIVI Knives Elementum Folding Pocket Knife 2.96" D2 Satin Blade . The majority of knives target 63 Rc or below so this limitation of stainless steels does not always come into play but can be an important factor for certain knives targeting high performance and thin edges. In general, the more carbide the steel has and the larger the carbides the lower is the toughness. These steels have sufficient toughness to handle thinner edge geometry. On the other hand, in d2 air-hardness steel, you cant differentially temper the blade-like other high carbon steel because the steel can also be challenging to sharpen. Steels that are improperly heat treated have excess retained austenite which makes them extremely difficult to deburr. Vg10 and cpms45vn same toughness at same hardness ? The solid lockup and decent blade design make these two knives well suited for camping. All three of these steels havechromium, molybdenum, vanadium, and tungsten components and will perform well in myriad tasks. A2 knives need care taken to avoid rust and are often coated to inhibit corrosion. It gets exceptionally sharp, a nod to its origins as a razorblade steel. That old pine in particular is some crazy hard stuff. 14c28n steel would be a great pick thanks to its high retention and corrosion, it would be great for a normal EDC knife. Its a good balance between all three attributes, being relatively hard, tough, and corrosion-resistant. That way you can get into the steel ratings quickly. You also reported 8.6 for 440A in that post, compared to 8.5 in this post. There are also hardness/toughness and hardness/TCC charts.but no tables backing this charts. D2 seems to run at high hrc. Because of their good edge retention, these steels are quite versatile in folders and fixed blades. I was wondering if the 14c28n sample was also prequenched like the AEB-L toughness samples? Deburring of edges often takes even longer than removing material to produce the edge. ), intended use will give you all the answers. The best knife for you should meet your needs and fit your budget. Steels that are higher in hardness and wear resistance are usually lower in toughness. SG2 Its not bad, but you can find better in the market at the same price. These steels are typically used by forging bladesmiths, traditional folders, and some production fixed blades. 14C28N is a stainless steel that was developed specifically for use in knives. Also, what kind of steel is used for utility knives? See the chart below showing 52100 steel that was overaustenitized (unintentionally) by a knifemaker that sent me specimens for toughness testing. my understanding is that wood is not a particularly abrasive material and a plane is more of a push cut action than a slicing action so I would have though edge stability and sharpness is more important than edge retention meaning ABE-L should work pretty well. The high hardness makes it all but impossible to sharpen and machine. They represent the absolute best performers on the market in terms of their specific attributes. It is certainly possible for a knifemaker or heat treating company to do a heat treatment that will have suboptimal properties. With a high level ofedge retention, corrosion resistance, and toughness, it does most everything quite well. In general, higher carbon and higher vanadium steels have higher wear resistance and edge retention but lower toughness. The most traditional models of pocket knives have different parts, such as the handle and cutting performance. The hardenable grade of titanium (Beta C Titanium) reaches up to 45 or so rc. Or even if they try to be more open to importance of toughness, the good reputation of the high edge retention steels means that they get inflated toughness ratings along with it. And given the recipe, it has a low number of carbides, the extra-hard microcrystals in steel that provide the hardness necessary for a stable and sharp edge. That comes with an excellent return of experience that makes it ideal for the manufacturer of outdoor and tactical knife blades. MagnaCut The pictures below show the microstructures of the three classes of stainless steel on the market. There was significant sharpness loss with 1095, almost none with 440A, and D2 was in between. Damascus or pattern welded steel is a result of combining two steels together. Flashlights run the gamut of price and quality. Display: 24 per page Sort by: Featured View CIVIVI Voltaic Flipper Knife Stainless Steel Handle With Micarta Inlay (3.48" 14C28N Blade) $88.30 Add to cart I like it. Five years ago, S30V had a premium price. The big difference in properties vs the low alloy steels, however, are the harder carbides that are found in these steels. CPM 3V AEB-L rex 121 When we plot toughness vs edge retention on a log scale instead we get a straight line that is a better visualization of toughness differences. 1095 stains easily and thus is often coated, especially in fixed blades. 8Cr13MoV still has some corrosion resistance, but not as much as D2. A new steel from Crucible, SPY27 launched in 2020 in the Spyderco Native 5and Para 3. There is an acceptable range for every element so this doesnt mean that 1084 will always have exactly 0.84% carbon. And while it can be hard depending on the heat treat, I have found it easily chips, causing microscopic dings in the edge when hardened to a high level on a thin blade. D2 has been around for more than 20 years, an eternity in. Most production knives are more than thick enough at the edge to accommodate a regrind to significantly improve performance, and its a lot cheaper than buying a new knife a lot of the time. The value being slightly different doesnt mean its an outlier or measurement error. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. 8Cr13MoV is comparable to the Japanese AUS-8 but containing slightly higher carbon content. Importing steel from Europe to the USA, or vice versa, generally increases the cost. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. The edge retention and ease of sharpening have been what we expect with D2. Very acute edges are more brittle but remain sharp for longer and cut very well. I have a Spyderco K390 knife and I cut leather with it as it is only .090 thick and I seldom have to strop it on 1 micron diamond compound on leather. Ease of Sharpening: One advantage of 8Cr13MoV is that it is easier to sharpen than D2 steel. Generally seen as a slight upgrade to the 440C/VG-10/ATS-34 caliber of steel, its a decent all-around steel with good corrosion resistance, decent toughness, and only modest hardness. But if you want to know what the coolest blade material is, for my money, SM100is it. Its an anomaly in the knife world and quite puzzling to use. However, it is not really known how many different companies are making 8Cr13MoV (or at least I dont know), it could be that it is one manufacturer that is dominating the market. D2 has a relatively high amount of carbon in its composition (1.55%), more than twice as much as AEB-L (0.68%), but most of that carbon goes into making chromium carbides instead of into solution in the steel matrix, leaving D2 with only ~0.5% C in solution and very large carbides that are good for wear resistance but bad for toughness. Very obtuse edges resist chipping better but dont hold their edge as long and dont cut as well. 1. I can also say from personal experience that marine grade plywood will chaw up your saw blade and battery a lot quicker than standard plywood, but that probably says more about the glue that was used than the wood. That provides 14% Chromium and offers excellent corrosion resistance. D2. These steels are the good old hard-working steels. This is especially important for chopping knives and for knives with thin edges for enhanced cutting ability and edge retention. Divers, sailors, and anglers need knives that will resist corrosion above all else. PESR would be an interesting topic too (also tied to LC200N). Sorry about the misinformation. Spyderco is the only production company using this steel, though Michael Gavik of Gavko knives produced a number of customs in LC 200N. Around 61 Rc usually. Below shows charts summarizing tests of different steels for the major categories discussed so far, low alloy steels, high alloy non-stainless steels, and stainless steels. 14C28N vs. D2. Did you change the estimate based on more testing? So what is the best steel for knives? The claim is that they align the blades edge, pushing any slightly rolled over bits back into place and thus preserving the cutting ability of the knife for longer. I reserve the right to change my ratings based on new information. Therefore, you cannot purchase the knife for use in corrosive environments. edge retention can vary by several orders of magnitude depending on what happens to the burr. And a label: AEB-L. Some steel companies charge more than others. 2) you do not go into the sharpening in much detail. Steels that can be high in edge retention and toughness are desirable for general use knives. I was just comparing AEB-L and 14c28n to decide which steel to get for my next knife project and although 14c28n seems to be a bit more abrasion resistant, my primary goal is toughness and edge stability. SPY27 You need a hard medium to sharpen it like diamond or boride. MC66 Heres The Best Review For You (2021), D2 knife blade offers high edge retention, Dulls faster, Requires frequent sharpening. 2. Below are some great ways to make your knife your own. But among the steels youll find at Cabelas and the like, this is a pretty good choice. In other words, Rex 121 would be the most difficult to sharpen and 5160 and 8670 would be the easiest. grivory It boasts an incredible ability to continue cutting long after it seems dull. And its not made of steel. Are you looking for 14c28n steel with other steel? Corrosion on knife steels most usually takes the form of rust, patina, and staining. Tough steel can handle impacts without gross chipping or a tip breaking off. Rowens heat treat on ESEE knives that use 1095 is exceptional; KA-BARs is less so. GearJunkie Copyright 2013 2023. If you are a newbie, sharpening D2 knives will be a struggle, but it is doable with practice and the right sharpening tools. It doesnt hold an edge well, but its so easy to sharpen that you can get it back to razor sharpness in a few minutes. Another important caveat before we get to the ratings are that these are for the steel only. compare different heat treats of the same component, it lacks a theoretical foundation and its not clear how to relate it to the real world. and yet millons of knives are being made out of 1.4116 (aisi 420mov?) Also Mo additions improve corrosion resistance for a given amount of chromium. The D2 steel compares nicely with 14c28n steel in terms of edge retention, as it's quite hard as well. I always thought VG10 to be way more chippy/less tough compared cpms45vn. https://i0.wp.com/knifesteelnerds.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/stainless-toughness-10-19-21.jpg?w=757&ssl=1 Ive seen more talk and some articles regarding the use of AI to come up with new potential drug molecules, polymeric materials, etc. You cannot leave your 14C28N knives in water overnight and expect them not to rust. HA! There are significant differences between them because 14C28N is stainless steel, while D2 steel is a semi-stainless tool steel. Steel ratings are not about ranking steels in terms of what is better than another, but understanding the different balances such as toughness vs edge retention. In general, steels look worse as you go up in hardness because the toughness is reduced by more than the edge retention is increased. Almost all consumer-grade pocket knives, EDC knives, fixed blade knives, etc will be in the range of a Rockwell Hardness rating of 54 to 65 HRC. Read more. The studies confirmed that the primary controlling factors are hardness of the steel, volume of carbides, and hardness of the carbides. So presumably, wear resistance would be in the 3.5-4 range and toughness in the 5.5-6 range. Question. Though the volume of carbonitrides in the steel is relatively high. AEB-L is rarely found on production knives but can be found on custom knives easily. It applies to both of course, hence why there isnt a separate label. Sure if you dont want stainless steel fine, but there are plenty other carbon steels out there much better than 5160. What would you rate the toughness of CPM-D2. CROMOVA Recommendations are welcome, If you are cutting against metal I would maybe try K390 in a Spyderco or an S110V knife if you need stainless. There are a few aspects to your question, I think. One is certainly anti-China bias, as you pointed out. It has enough water-fighting properties that it can be used in marine environments. There is no such thing as a steel that is a 10 in both toughness and edge retention. 2. Both steel types don't chip easily, but 14c28n steel is easier to sharpen. But its very cheap, and, when ground appropriately, it can be a real winner from a value standpoint. However, D2 steel has better edge retention, while 14C28N offers a better sharpening experience. HAP40 INFI is also quite hard and sharpens easily.