1.2360 (~NZ4 mod, ~A8 mod)
Basic parameters:
- Thickness tolerance: 0/+0,4 mm (the surface is not precision ground)
- Cutting tolerance: we cut the steel on band saws to a tolerance of 0/+3 mm (width x length)
- Delivery conditon: steel in non-hardened condition (steel requires hardening)
OUR STEEL IS FOR YOU, IF:
| You value precisely cut material We cut steel using band saws, ensuring straight edges. We do not use guillotine shears, which can warp sheets and round their edges. |
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| Minor scratches or residue are not an issue for you Sometimes, a single steel sheet passes through the saw multiple times, which may cause slight surface scratches. Occasionally, delicate spot traces of surface corrosion (thin residue) may appear on the steel due to coolant remnants from the cutting process. Both scratches and residue can be easily removed during grinding. If you require steel with a perfectly clean surface, our product will not meet your expectations. |
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| You can straighten minor surface deviations yourself We strive to deliver perfectly flat steel pieces, but we cannot guarantee 100% flatness. Any slight surface curvature is not a material defect but rather a result of mill tolerances (flatness tolerances for rolled products). An experienced knifemaker can handle such a curvature in no time. |
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| You want to buy steel from trusted supplier We source our steel from the largest manufacturers in Europe and beyond. Each delivery is precisely marked with an industrial hand jet printer to prevent errors during cutting and storage. |
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| You don't like overpaying Our mission is to provide you with a piece of steel that is as close as possible to the shape of the knife you want to make. With us, you don't have to buy a large piece of steel and make unnecessary supplies or throw unnecessary surpluses in the trash. |
Example photo of a steel sheet:
Application of 1.2360 Steel in Knifemaking
The 1.2360 steel we offer, also known as X48CrMoV8-1-1, which is the European equivalent of AISI A8 mod steel, is a tool steel designed for cold work. It is distinguished by high hardness, excellent wear resistance, and significant impact toughness. These properties make it widely used across various industries, including knife production. In this article, we will examine how this steel is applied in the production of both industrial knives and utility knives.
Chemical Composition of Steel 1.2360
| Element |
Composition |
| Carbon (C) | 0,45% - 0,50% |
| Manganese (Mn) |
0,35% - 0,45% |
| Silicon (Si) | 0,70% - 0,90% |
| Chromium (Cr) | 7,30% - 7,80% |
| Molybdenum (Mo) | 1,30% - 1,50% |
| Vanadium (V) | 1,30% - 1,50% |
Presented here unmodified version (1.2360) has a lower chromium content (approx. 7.5%) and higher vanadium content (approx. 1.4%) than the modified version (1.2360M).
Steel 1.2360 contains carefully balanced elements that provide its exceptional properties:
- Carbon (C): 0.45–0.50% – Ensures high hardness and edge durability.
- Chromium (Cr): 7.30–7.80% – Enhances resistance to corrosion and wear.
- Molybdenum (Mo): 1.30–1.50% – Improves hardenability and resistance to cracking.
- Vanadium (V): 1.30–1.50% – Strengthens wear resistance and edge stability.
- Manganese (Mn): 0.35–0.45% – Supports hardening.
- Silicon (Si): 0.70–0.90% – Increases strength and flexibility.
Properties of Steel 1.2360
Hardness and Wear Resistance
Steel 1.2360 achieves a hardness in the range of 50-60 HRC after appropriate heat treatment. Thanks to its high hardness, the material has excellent wear resistance, so knives made of this steel remain sharp for a long time, even under intensive use.
Toughness and Mechanical Strength
One of the main strengths of 1.2360 steel is its impact strength, so it absorbs impacts without cracking. Knives made from this steel are more resistant to chipping or cracking than knives made from other high-hardness tool steels, such as D2 steel (1.2379).
Dimensional Stability
During heat treatment, this steel has excellent dimensional stability, meaning that its structure does not change significantly under the influence of temperature. This is particularly important in precision applications such as industrial knives and cutting tools.
Corrosion Resistance
With a chromium content of approximately 7.5%, 1.2360 steel has enhanced corrosion resistance, but it is not a stainless steel. It therefore requires proper maintenance, especially when working in humid environments. Regular application of protective coatings and oiling can significantly extend its service life.
Application of 1.2360 Steel in Knifemaking
Industrial Knives
Steel 1.2360 is used in the manufacture of industrial knives that have to withstand abrasion and intensive mechanical loads. The steel is mainly used for:
- Wood shredding knives (e.g., in the paper and woodworking industries),
- Metal cutting and recycling knives,
- Knives for composite materials and processing plastics.
Custom Knives
In the world of custom knives, 1.2360 steel is not as popular as other steels such as D2 (1.2379) or O2 (1.2842), but its unique combination of high impact strength and wear resistance has led some knifemakers to choose it for their designs.
Examples of applications in custom knives:
- Bushcraft and survival knives – thanks to its high impact strength, it is suitable for batoning and other challenging tasks,
- Utility knives – for applications where wear resistance and long-lasting sharpness are crucial,
- Tactical knives – high resistance to cracking allows intensive use in severe conditions.
Heat Treatment and Hardening of 1.2360 Steel
For optimum properties, 1.2360 steel should be hardened at a temperature of approximately 1020-1050°C and then tempered at a range of 200-600°C. The higher the tempering temperature, the better the impact strength, but at the expense of hardness, which is particularly desirable for utility knives.
Opinions and Comparison of 1.2360 with Other Steels
Compared to popular steels used in knifemaking:
- D2 (1.2379) – D2 has better corrosion resistance, but is more brittle compared to 1.2360,
- O2 (1.2842) – O2 provides good edge sharpness and is easier to machine, but has poorer wear resistance compared to 1.2360,
- 440C – 440C has better corrosion resistance, but 1.2360 is more impact resistant.
Comparison of 1.2360 steel with similar grades according to international standards (PN, EN, DIN, AISI, GOST and others)
| Country / Standard | Steel Designation | Remarks |
| Poland (PN) | NZ4 / Chipper | Trade name used in Poland for steel 1.2360 |
| Europe (EN ISO 4957) | X48CrMoV8-1-1 | Official EN ISO 4957 designation for steel 1.2360 |
| Germany (DIN) | 1.2360 / X48CrMoV8-1-1 | Classification per DIN 4957 for steel 1.2360 |
| Austria (ÖNORM) (BÖHLER) | K329 | ÖNORM modification of 1.2360/A8 with finer grain |
| USA (AISI/ASTM) | A8 | AISI/SAE equivalent; air-hardening tool steel (~8 % Cr, 0.5 % C) |
| UK (BS) | No equivalent | No official BS symbol—specifications use “A8” |
| France (AFNOR) | No equivalent | No AFNOR symbol—specifications use “1.2360” or “X48CrMoV8-1-1” |
| Italy (UNI) | No equivalent | No UNI symbol—specifications use “1.2360” or “X48CrMoV8-1-1” |
| Czech Republic (ČSN) | No equivalent | No CSN designation |
| Japan (JIS) | No equivalent | No formal JIS equivalent; A8/1.2360 is used in practice |
| Russia (GOST) | No equivalent | No GOST equivalent |
Conclusion – Why Choose 1.2360 Steel?
Steel 1.2360 is a material with great properties, and will be perfect for industrial and custom knives. Although it is not a stainless steel, its high impact strength, hardness and abrasion resistance make it an attractive option for makers looking for a tough material for tough applications. If you are looking for a knife material that can handle extreme conditions, 1.2360 steel may be the ideal choice.
No, 1.2360 and 1.2360 mod steels are not classified as stainless steels. They contain approximately 7.5% - 8.2% chromium, which gives them some corrosion resistance, but requires maintenance, such as oiling, to avoid rusting.
This steel is ideal for knives that require high toughness and wear resistance, including industrial knives, survival knives, tactical knives, and utility knives.
After proper heat treatment, steel 1.2360 / 1.2360 mod achieves a hardness range of 50–60 HRC, ensuring a balance between wear resistance and toughness.
Compared to D2 (1.2379), steel 1.2360 / 1.2360 mod has better toughness and is less brittle, making it more resistant to chipping, while D2 offers superior corrosion resistance.
This steel requires advanced hardening and tempering techniques, but it is easier to grind than some other tool steels, making it a good option for knifemaking.
The unmodified version (1.2360) has a lower chromium content (approx. 7.5%) and higher vanadium content (approx. 1.4%).
The modified version (1.2360M, 1.2360 mod) has a higher chromium content (approx. 8.2%) and lower vanadium content (approx. 0.5%).
We offer both version 1.2360 and version 1.2360M.