The most popular knife steel types and their properties

Steel is one of the critical materials used in the manufacture of knives. The selection of a proper steel grade has an impact on the quality and functionality of the knife, as well as on its appearance and durability. There is an abundance of alloys that can be used to manufacture them, and they depend on the expected characteristics of the final product. To find a good knife steel, first of all we need to specify the type of tool and the range of intended applications. In most cases, the main characteristics of the materials include the possibility of achieving a long work lifetime, a long period of high sharpness, and resistance to different mechanical actions. In some cases, suitable elasticity and low susceptibility to corrosion are also important. To facilitate processing, good workability and the possibility of using the required method of quenching and tempering make a difference. What are the recommended characteristics of knife steel and which types of steel are the most commonly used?

Stainless steel

These are one of the most popular materials used to manufacture cutting knives, mainly due to their corrosion resistance. They also have an attractive price, in particular compared to better alternatives, such as Damascus steel. There are many grades of stainless steel, and they differ in their chemical compositions and properties. These include the several types of stainless steel presented below, commonly used for daily-use, kitchen, or outdoor knives:

• 4H13 / 1.4034 is martensitic steel with a high carbon and chromium content, suitable for quenching and obtaining a high level of hardness. It is resistant to corrosion in moderately aggressive media, such as natural waters, diluted salt solutions, alcohols, or liquid fuels. This type of steel is used in cutting, machining, measuring, and surgical tools and instruments.
• ELMAX is a powder stainless steel with a high carbon, chromium, molybdenum, and vanadium content that features very high wear and corrosion resistance and high compression resistance. It is recommended for manufacturing knives that require a high level of hardness and abrasion resistance. Owing to its high dimensional stability, it needs significantly less adjustment after heat treatment. It is also easy to polish and sharpen, which enhances its aesthetic and functional values.
• M390 and M398 are stainless steels manufactured by Uddeholm (Sweden) using powder metallurgy. It has a high carbon, chromium, molybdenum, and vanadium content, high wear and corrosion resistance, high strength, and high dimensional stability. Advanced powder metallurgy ensures high purity and homogeneity of the structure.

Other types of stainless steel also deserve attention, and include BECUT with its high carbon and chromium contents as well as high temperature and wear resistance.

Carbon steel

Carbon steels are another group of popular grades of steel used to manufacture knives. Their composition translates into a very high hardness of the blade but lower corrosion resistance compared to stainless steels. Additionally, they are easy to process and quench. The best-known type of carbon steel is NCV1 / 1.2235, with a high carbon and chromium content that is suitable for quenching and obtaining high hardness and abrasion resistance. It features good weldability and machinability, as well as high resistance to atmospheric corrosion. After quenching in oil or air from approximately 800°C and tempering at approximately 200°C, this steel obtains 63–65 HRC.

Another interesting type of steel is Vanadis 4 Extra, which has high wear and corrosion resistance, as well as high strength and dimensional stability.

Damascus steel

Damascus steel is one of the most appreciated and prestigious types of steel used to manufacture knives. Its name derives from an old steel forging technique originating from Damascus. The properties of this steel result from a multi-layer structure formed from a combination of various steel grades with contrasting properties (usually a mix of carbon and stainless steel). Such a combination has unique visual effects that give Damascus steel knives exceptional mechanical properties. An example of a high-quality steel is DS93X, manufactured by Damasteel AB, a leading European manufacturer.