1.2360 (~NZ4 mod, ~A8 mod)
Steel 1.2360 (unmodified version) is a tool steel offering enhanced toughness and resistance to cracking, used in applications requiring high mechanical strength.
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:
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)
Application of 1.2360 Steel in Knifemaking
The 1.2360 steel we offer, also known as X48CrMoV8-1-1, is a cold-work tool steel. In terms of its properties, it is somewhat similar to AISI A8 mod (which has a modified chromium and vanadium composition). 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.
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 / A8 mod).
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.
Heat Treatment of 1.2360 Steel
Heat treatment difficulty shown at the top of this page reflects the most common choice in our survey of Polish knifemakers, prepared with input from an experienced heat treater. Please treat it as community guidance, not a specification.
“EASY-TO-HARDEN” denotes a more forgiving steel — one that delivers predictable, useful results even with minor deviations in process parameters.
“DIFFICULT-TO-HARDEN” calls for tight process control; small mistakes can quickly degrade the final outcome.
LEGAL NOTICE REGARDING HEAT TREATMENT
Heat treatment is a set of processes dependent on many variables, including knife thickness, the type of furnace and process atmosphere, soaking time and temperature, the method and temperature of cooling, as well as tempering parameters.
The data presented below are provided for informational purposes only and do not constitute technical advice, a technological instruction, or any assurance of achieving specific properties or results. IK STAL is not liable for any consequences arising from the use of this data without prior verification and adaptation to the user’s individual technological conditions. For detailed guidance, we recommend consulting experienced heat treaters. The above provisions do not limit the statutory rights of consumers.
Hardening of 1.2360 Steel
Austenitizing
The literature reports different austenitizing temperatures for 1.2360 steel:
- Lower austenitizing temperatures: 1070–1100°C (1960–2010°F);
- Higher austenitizing temperatures: 1080–1120°C (1980–2050°F).
The steel should be held at temperature for a specified time, counted from the moment the steel reaches a uniform temperature. Practical austenitizing guidelines:
- The thicker the blade, the longer it should stay in the furnace.
- Keeping the steel in the furnace too long can lead to grain growth; too short a time leads to incomplete austenitizing (incomplete microstructural transformation). Put simply: at the correct temperature, leaving the steel in the furnace a little longer usually does less harm than taking it out too early. The biggest mistake is using an incorrect austenitizing temperature.
Quenching
Quenching media: air, oil, salt bath at 500–550°C (932–1022°F).
Tempering of 1.2360 Steel
Tempering is the controlled reheating of a hardened blade to a chosen temperature and holding it for a set time to reduce brittleness and stresses from hardening and increase the knife’s impact toughness.
When tempering steel, two cycles are most commonly used, typically 1–2 hours each. However, since precise manufacturer data are unavailable, we recommend consulting experienced heat-treaters for detailed instructions.
It is worth noting that in industrial applications, 1.2360 steel is no longer as popular today as its modified version, 1.2360 mod (A8 mod). The modified grade is the one most commonly found in steel wholesalers’ inventories today.
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 and utility knives.
After proper heat treatment, steel 1.2360 / 1.2360 mod achieves a hardness range of 57–60 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.