Steel Types
Stainless Steels:
420HC: A popular stainless steel known for its good balance of corrosion resistance and ease of sharpening.
440C: Offers high wear resistance and is commonly used in high-quality knives.
AUS8A: A member of the Japanese AUS series of stainless steels, commonly used in knife-making. Compared to AUS10A, AUS8A has a slightly lower carbon content, which affects its hardness, toughness, and edge retention.
AUS10A: A member of the Japanese AUS series of stainless steels, commonly used in knife-making. This high-carbon stainless steel is known for its balance of hardness, toughness, and corrosion resistance.
VG-10: A premium Japanese steel known for its excellent edge retention and corrosion resistance.
S30V/S35VN: High-end stainless steels known for exceptional edge retention and corrosion resistance.
14C28N: A Swedish steel by Sandvik, offers a good balance between hardness and corrosion resistance.
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Carbon Steels:
1095: A classic carbon steel known for its toughness and ease of sharpening, commonly used in outdoor and survival knives.
52100: High carbon steel that offers great edge retention and toughness, often used in kitchen knives.
5160: Known for its toughness and resilience, often used in large blades and swords.
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Tool Steels:
D2: A semi-stainless tool steel known for high wear resistance and hardness but can be harder to sharpen.
A2: Offers good toughness and wear resistance, commonly used in custom knives.
O1: Easy to sharpen with good toughness, often used in custom and high-quality knives.
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Powder Metallurgy Steels:
CPM-S35VN: Offers superior edge retention, toughness, and corrosion resistance.
M390: Known for high wear resistance and corrosion resistance, ideal for premium knives.
Elmax: Combines high wear resistance, corrosion resistance, and toughness, popular in high-end knives.
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Damascus Steel: A combination of multiple steels, often used for aesthetic purposes and combines the properties of the steels used.
MagnaCut Steel: MagnaCut steel is a relatively new type of stainless steel developed specifically for knife making.
Magnacut Key Features:
- Composition: MagnaCut is designed with a unique composition that includes high amounts of vanadium and niobium, contributing to its outstanding wear resistance and toughness.
- Corrosion Resistance: As a stainless steel, MagnaCut offers excellent corrosion resistance, making it suitable for various environments, including those that are humid or salty.
- Edge Retention: The steel is engineered to provide excellent edge retention, meaning it stays sharp for longer periods, reducing the need for frequent sharpening.
- Toughness: One of the standout features of MagnaCut is its toughness, which allows it to withstand impact and resist chipping and breaking even under heavy use.
- Ease of Sharpening: Despite its hardness and edge retention, MagnaCut is designed to be relatively easy to sharpen, which is an attractive quality for knife users.