Alloys
Here is a list of some common alloys used in knife production, along with their general characteristics and approximate price ranges:
- High Carbon Steel (1095, 1084, 5160, etc.): High carbon steels are known for their excellent edge retention and durability. They are also easy to sharpen and maintain. They are commonly used in knives that will be subjected to heavy use such as hunting, camping, and survival knives. They are generally more affordable than some other alloys.
- Stainless Steel (420, 440, AUS-8, VG-10, etc.): Stainless steel is known for its corrosion resistance, making them a popular choice for kitchen knives and other knives that will be exposed to moisture. They are also relatively easy to maintain and sharpen. They are generally more expensive than high-carbon steels.
- Damascus Steel: Damascus steel is a type of patterned steel that is created by layering different types of steel and then forging them together. The resulting pattern is unique and can be quite beautiful. Damascus steel is known for its durability and edge retention. It is also quite expensive.
- Tool Steel (D2, S30V, CPM154, etc.): Tool steels are known for their excellent edge retention and toughness. They are commonly used in knives that will be subjected to heavy use such as hunting, camping, and survival knives. They are also more expensive than High Carbon Steel.
- Titanium: Titanium is a lightweight and corrosion-resistant metal that is commonly used in knives. It is known for its strength and durability and is often used in knives with folding blades. They can be expensive.
Note that this is not an exhaustive list and there are other alloys that are used in knife production. Also, the cost of a knife depends on many factors, not only the alloy. Here are some examples of "super steels" that are known for their exceptional performance and are often used in high-end knives:
- CPM S110V: A high-performance stainless steel developed by Crucible Industries, known for its excellent edge retention, toughness, and corrosion resistance.
- Maxamet: A high-speed steel developed by Crucible Industries, known for its exceptional hardness and wear resistance.
- ZDP-189: A high-carbon stainless steel developed by Hitachi Metals, known for its exceptional edge retention and corrosion resistance.
- Elmax: A high-performance stainless steel developed by Uddeholm, known for its excellent edge retention, toughness, and corrosion resistance.
- S35VN: A stainless steel developed by Crucible Industries, known for its excellent edge retention and toughness.
- M390: A high-performance stainless steel developed by Bohler-Uddeholm, known for its excellent edge retention and corrosion resistance.
These super steels have very high performance and durability compared to other alloys but they are also more expensive. They are usually used in high-end knives, such as folding knives, chef knives, and hunting knives. Here is a link from BladHQ that does a good job explaining it with graphics.
Most Common Steel Alloys Used In EDC Knives
1095 Carbon Steel
1095 High Carbon Steel: An In-Depth Guide History The genesis of 1095 high carbon steel finds its roots in the broader narrative of steel itself. Uncovered in archeological sites dating back to 1800 BC, steel has been instrumental in the progress of civilizations. The transition from brittle iron to more robust steel was a game-changer,…
440 A Stainless Steel
440A stainless steel is a type of stainless steel that is commonly used in knife blades. It is known for its affordability, corrosion resistance, and ease of sharpening. It is a popular choice for budget-friendly knives that will be exposed to moisture, such as kitchen knives and other knives that will be used for food…
440 Stainless Steel
History The 440 series of stainless steels are a part of the larger family of stainless steels that were originally developed in the early 20th century. As with most stainless steels, 440 was a product of the rapid industrial expansion that began in the late 19th century. Developed with an emphasis on hardness and wear…
440C High Carbon Stainless
440C stainless steel is a type of stainless steel that is commonly used in knife blades. It is known for its excellent edge retention, corrosion resistance, and durability. It is a popular choice for knives that will be subjected to heavy use such as hunting, camping, and survival knives. In this article, we will take…
5160 Steel
5160 steel is a high-carbon alloy steel that is commonly used in knife blades. It is known for its excellent edge retention, toughness, and ability to withstand heavy use. It is a popular choice for knives that will be subjected to heavy use such as hunting, camping, and survival knives. Here is an article on…
A Comprehensive Study of 420 Stainless Steel:
From Genesis to Modern Use
History The 420 stainless steel, sometimes referred to as ‘Cutlery Grade’ steel, traces its origins back to the early 20th century. During this period, there was an increasing demand for a material that combined the excellent corrosion resistance of stainless steel with the hardness and edge retention of high carbon steel. The result was the…
AUS 10 Stainless
AUS-10 stainless steel is a type of stainless steel that is commonly used in knife blades. It is known for its good edge retention, corrosion resistance, and high level of toughness. It is a popular choice for knives that will be used for heavy cutting tasks and exposed to moisture. In this article, we will…
AUS 6 Stainless
AUS-6 stainless steel is a type of stainless steel that is commonly used in knife blades. It is known for its affordability, corrosion resistance, and ease of sharpening. It is a popular choice for budget-friendly knives that will be exposed to moisture, such as kitchen knives and other knives that will be used for food…
AUS 8 Stainless
AUS-8 stainless steel is a type of stainless steel that is commonly used in knife blades. It is known for its affordability, corrosion resistance, and good edge retention. It is a popular choice for budget-friendly knives that will be exposed to moisture, such as kitchen knives and other knives that will be used for food…
Comprehensive Guide to S30V Stainless Steel
History S30V stainless steel, also known as CPM S30V steel, was first introduced in the early 2000s. It was a collaborative development between knife industry stalwart Crucible Industries and renowned knifemaker Chris Reeve. The aim was to create a type of steel specifically designed for the cutlery industry that had improved performance characteristics compared to…
CPM 154 Stainless Steel
CPM154 is a type of high-performance stainless steel that is known for its exceptional edge retention, corrosion resistance, and toughness. It is considered premium steel due to its excellent performance and unique manufacturing process. In this article, we will take a closer look at the properties, advantages, and disadvantages of CPM154 steel, as well as…
CPM S110V Stainless Steel
CPM S110V is a type of high-performance stainless steel that is known for its exceptional edge retention, corrosion resistance, and toughness. It is a Crucible Particle Metallurgy (CPM) steel, which means that the steel is made by a unique process that involves the use of fine particles of the alloy that are then consolidated under…
D2 Steel
D2 is a type of high-carbon, high-chromium alloy tool steel that is known for its excellent wear resistance and edge retention. It is a popular choice for knives that will be used for heavy cutting tasks and exposed to high levels of wear and tear. In this article, we will take a closer look at…
Damascus Steel
Damascus steel is a type of steel that is known for its unique pattern and strength. It is created by layering different types of steel and then folding and forging them together. The resulting steel has a distinctive pattern that is often used for decorative purposes. In this article, we will take a closer look…
Elmax
Elmax is a high-performance stainless steel that is known for its excellent balance of edge retention, corrosion resistance, and toughness. It is a third-generation powder metallurgy (PM) steel that is made by Uddeholm, a well-known steel manufacturer. This steel is made using a unique process that involves the use of fine particles of the alloy…
In the Forge of Legends:
a Profound Look Into 1084 Carbon Steel
History 1084 Carbon Steel is a material with a longstanding heritage, profoundly entwined with our human understanding of metallurgy. Etching its first steps into history as a fundamental lynchpin in the evolution of steel making, 1084 has long since proven itself to be of considerable value. It became the progenitor of many further developed and…
M390 Super Steel
M390 is a high-performance stainless steel that is known for its excellent balance of edge retention, corrosion resistance, and toughness. It is made by the Austrian steel manufacturer Bohler-Uddeholm, and it’s a third-generation powder metallurgy (PM) steel. This steel is made using a unique process that involves the use of fine particles of the alloy…
Maxamet
Maxamet is a high-speed, high-performance steel that is made by Carpenter Technology Corporation. It is powdered steel that is made using a unique process that involves the use of fine particles of the alloy that are then consolidated under high pressure and heat to create a homogenous microstructure. This process improves the steel’s properties and…
S35VN Stainless Steel
S35VN is a high-performance stainless steel that is known for its excellent balance of edge retention, toughness, and corrosion resistance. It was developed by Crucible Industries as an improvement of S30V steel. S35VN steel is made using a unique process that involves the use of fine particles of the alloy that are then consolidated under…
S60V Stainless Steel
S60V is a type of high-performance stainless steel that is known for its exceptional edge retention, corrosion resistance, and toughness. It is a relatively new steel alloy that is being used for high-end knives and tools, it is considered a premium steel due to its excellent performance and rare availability. In this article, we will…
S90V Stainless Steel
S90V is a type of high-performance stainless steel that is known for its exceptional edge retention, corrosion resistance, and toughness. It is considered premium steel due to its excellent performance and rare availability. In this article, we will take a closer look at the properties, advantages, and disadvantages of S90V steel, as well as the…
Titanium
Titanium, while not a traditional steel, is often used as a blade material due to its exceptional strength, corrosion resistance, and lightweight properties. In this article, we will take a closer look at the properties, advantages, and disadvantages of titanium as a blade steel, as well as the best use cases and average retail cost…
VG-10 Stainless
VG-10 stainless steel is a type of stainless steel that is commonly used in knife blades. It is known for its good edge retention, corrosion resistance, and high level of toughness. It is a popular choice for knives that will be used for heavy cutting tasks and exposed to moisture. In this article, we will…