Uddeholm VANADIS 4 EXTRA




Basic parameters:
- Thickness tolerance: 0/+0,3 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)
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| 54.63 zł | 23 % | 67.19 zł | 117 | ||||||
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| 305.90 zł | 23 % | 376.26 zł | 19 | ||||||
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| 502.55 zł | 23 % | 618.14 zł | 1 | ||||||
| 589.95 zł | 23 % | 725.64 zł | 10 | ||||||
| 677.35 zł | 23 % | 833.14 zł | 8 | ||||||
| 852.15 zł | 23 % | 1,048.14 zł | 7 | ||||||
| 1,887.80 zł | 23 % | 2,322.00 zł | 2 |
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:

Vanadis 4 Extra Steel – Versatile Powder Steel for Knives with High Wear Resistance and Toughness
Vanadis 4 Extra steel, developed by Uddeholm, is a tool steel produced through powder metallurgy. It is characterized by high wear resistance, excellent toughness, and good dimensional stability. Thanks to these properties, Vanadis 4 Extra steel is a popular choice among knifemakers for producing tactical, outdoor, and utility knives. In this article, we will take a closer look at its chemical composition, heat treatment, hardness, and compare Vanadis 4 Extra steel with other steels used in knifemaking.
Chemical Composition of Vanadis 4 Extra Steel – What Makes It Unique?
| Element |
Composition |
| Carbon (C) | 1,40% |
| Manganese (Mn) |
0,40% |
| Silicon (Si) | 0,40% |
| Chromium (Cr) | 4,70% |
| Molybdenum (Mo) | 3,50% |
| Vanadium (V) | 3,70% |
Vanadis 4 Extra steel has an optimized chemical composition that provides an excellent balance between wear resistance and toughness. Its composition includes:
- Carbon (C): 1.4% – Provides adequate hardness and strength.
- Chromium (Cr): 4.7% – Increases corrosion resistance and stabilizes the steel structure.
- Molybdenum (Mo): 3.5% – Improves hardenability and wear resistance.
- Vanadium (V): 3.7% – Increases wear resistance, toughness, and edge stability.
- Manganese (Mn) and Silicon (Si) – Improve the steel's structure and its mechanical properties.
Thanks to this composition, Vanadis 4 Extra steel offers excellent toughness, wear resistance, and dimensional stability, making it an ideal choice for knives that require durability in challenging conditions.
Heat Treatment of Vanadis 4 Extra 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.
A FEW WORDS ON HEAT TREATMENT
Heat treatment is as much craft as it is science. Results depend on many variables: steel grade, blade thickness, furnace and atmosphere, soak temperature and time, quench medium and its temperature, and the tempering schedule.
At IK STAL we value transparency and reliable sources. Rather than promising one-size-fits-all recipes, we share manufacturers’ baseline data so you can adapt it to your own workshop. However, the data provided by manufacturers is not always detailed enough to constitute a complete “recipe” for heat-treating a thin knife. For specific settings, we encourage you to consult an experienced heat treater.
Hardening of Vanadis 4 Extra Steel
Austenitizing
Two-stage preheating: first 600-650°C (1110-1200°F), then 850-900°C (1560-1650°F).
The austenitizing temperature of Vanadis 4 Extra steel is 940-1180°C (1725-2160°F), but usually 1020°C (1870°F). Use austenitizing temperature of 1100–1180°C (2010–2160°F) for the best wear resistance.
The manufacturer's technical specifications state that the austenitizing time (holding time) is 30 minutes for temperatures up to 1100°C (2010°F) or 15 minutes for temperatures above 1100°C (2010°F), although the dimensions of the hardened part are not specified. The time is measured from the moment the steel reaches uniform temperature.
At high temperature, steel is prone to oxidation and
changes in carbon content (carburization or decarburization). Vacuum
heat treatment largely eliminates this risk.
During heating in a
muffle furnace, the part can be protected by sealing it in stainless
heat-treating foil. Remove the foil immediately before quenching, as it
slows heat transfer.
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:
- Vacuum - high speed gas with overpressure ≥ 2 bar;
- Martempering bath or fluidized bed at approx. 200–550°C (390–1020°F);
- Forced air/gas.
To obtain optimal properties, cool as fast as possible, cooling too slowly will result in a hardness lower than the values shown on the tempering curve.
The above quenching media are recommendations taken directly from the manufacturer’s technical datasheets.
Sub-zero Treatment (Optional)
After hardening, Vanadis 4 Extra steel can be sub-zero treated to between -70 and -80°C (-95 to -110°F) for 3-4 hours. To achieve the desired hardness when tempering at a high temperature, the tempering temperature should be reduced by 25°C (50°F). In the case of intricate shapes, there is a risk of cracking.
Sub-zero treatment reduces the amount of retained austenite and enhances dimensional stability during tempering. It should be carried out immediately after hardening and prior to tempering. In practice, this process is an extension of hardening to a lower temperature, so any delay between hardening and sub-zero treatment may reduce its effect.
Tempering of Vanadis 4 Extra 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.
The steel should be tempered immediately as soon as its temperature after hardening reaches 50–70°C (120–160°F).
To achieve maximum dimensional stability and ductility, temper at a minimum of 540°C (1000°F) and use a triple tempering cycle.
Tempering at temperatures below 540°C (1000°F) may to some extent increase hardness and compressive strength, but also reduce resistance to cracking and lower dimensional stability. The manufacturer states in the datasheet: "However, if lowering the tempering temperature, do not temper below 520°C (970°F)."
For double tempering, the minimum holding time at temperature is 2 hours for each cycle.
For triple tempering, the minimum holding time at temperature is 1 hour for each cycle.
Vanadis 4 Extra Steel Steel Tempering Chart
Below are the tempering curves for Vanadis 4 Extra steel for the following heat-treatment conditions:
- Austenitizing at 1020°C (1870°F) / 30 min / cooling in forced air; tempering 2 × 2 h;
- Austenitizing at 1150°C (2100°F) / 15 min / cooling in forced air; tempering 2 × 2 h;
Quenched sample with dimensions 15 × 40 × 40 mm.
For more details about the heat treatment process, including charts for other hardening temperatures, please visit the manufacturer's website: Uddeholm.
Comparison of Vanadis 4 Extra Steel with Other Knifemaking Steels
Vanadis 4 Extra Steel vs. D2 Steel
D2 steel is known for its high wear resistance, but Vanadis 4 Extra offers significantly better toughness and edge stability due to powder metallurgy technology. Vanadis 4 Extra is more suitable for applications requiring high dynamic strength.
Vanadis 4 Extra Steel vs. Elmax Steel
Elmax is a steel that offers excellent corrosion and wear resistance. Vanadis 4 Extra surpasses Elmax in terms of toughness, making it a better choice for utility knives that may be subjected to impacts or heavy loads.
Vanadis 4 Extra Steel vs. CPM 3V Steel
CPM 3V is known for its excellent strength and impact resistance. Vanadis 4 Extra provides similar properties but offers better wear resistance, making it an ideal choice for knives that need to combine durability with long-lasting edge retention.
Applications of Vanadis 4 Extra Steel in Knifemaking – Best for Different Types of Knives
Tactical and Combat Knives
Vanadis 4 Extra steel is an excellent choice for tactical and combat knives due to its high wear resistance and excellent toughness. Knives made from this steel withstand harsh conditions and are reliable in situations requiring extreme durability.
Outdoor and Survival Knives
Outdoor and survival knives made from Vanadis 4 Extra steel are characterized by high resistance to mechanical damage, making them ideal for use in difficult terrain. This steel performs exceptionally well in knives that must withstand extreme loads and intensive use.
Utility and Tool Knives
Vanadis 4 Extra steel is also used in utility and tool knives, where the combination of wear resistance and high toughness is crucial. Thanks to these properties, this steel is well-suited for cutting tools that need to withstand heavy-duty work in various conditions.
How to Care for a Knife Made of Vanadis 4 Extra Steel?
To ensure a long service life for a knife made of Vanadis 4 Extra steel, it is recommended to follow a few basic guidelines:
- Cleaning – Thoroughly clean the knife after each use and dry it to prevent surface corrosion.
- Oiling – Regularly oiling the blade will help maintain its protective properties and corrosion resistance.
- Sharpening – Using appropriate sharpening tools, such as ceramic or diamond stones, will help maintain the sharpness of the cutting edge.
Summary – Why Choose Vanadis 4 Extra Steel?
Vanadis 4 Extra steel is an exceptional material for versatile knife applications, offering excellent wear resistance, high toughness, and dimensional stability. It is an ideal choice for tactical, outdoor, and utility knives that require durability in challenging conditions. Thanks to advanced powder metallurgy technology, Vanadis 4 Extra steel ensures exceptional performance and reliability.

Vanadis 4 Extra steel stands out due to its excellent toughness, high wear resistance, and dimensional stability, making it an ideal material for knives requiring high durability.
Vanadis 4 Extra steel reaches a hardness range of 60–64 HRC after proper heat treatment, providing excellent cutting properties and wear resistance.
Vanadis 4 Extra steel is ideal for tactical, outdoor, survival, and utility knives due to its excellent mechanical properties.
Vanadis 4 Extra steel is relatively easy to sharpen with the right tools, such as diamond or ceramic stones, allowing for effective edge maintenance.
A knife made from Vanadis 4 Extra steel should be regularly cleaned, dried, and oiled to prevent corrosion and maintain its excellent properties for many years of use.