Böhler M398 Microclean




Basic parameters:
- Thickness tolerance: 0/+0,2 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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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:

M398 Steel – High-Performance Steel for Knives with Exceptional Wear Resistance
M398 Microclean steel, developed by Böhler, is a high-alloy martensitic stainless steel produced through powder metallurgy. It is characterized by its exceptional wear resistance, good corrosion resistance, and high hardness, making it an ideal choice for knife blades that require outstanding edge retention. In this article, we will explore the chemical composition, heat treatment, hardness, and compare M398 steel with other steels used in knifemaking.
Chemical Composition of M398 Steel – What Makes It Unique?
| Element |
Composition |
| Carbon (C) | 2,70% |
| Manganese (Mn) |
0,50% |
| Silicon (Si) | 0,50% |
| Chromium (Cr) | 20,00% |
| Molybdenum (Mo) | 1,00% |
| Vanadium (V) | 7,20% |
| Tungsten (W) | 0,70% |
M398 steel has a complex and optimized chemical composition that ensures superior wear resistance, hardness, and corrosion resistance. Its composition includes:
- Carbon (C): 2.7% – Provides high hardness and contributes to edge retention.
- Chromium (Cr): 20% – Enhances corrosion resistance and helps stabilize the steel matrix.
- Molybdenum (Mo): 1% – Improves hardness and wear resistance.
- Vanadium (V): 7.2% – Increases wear resistance and edge stability.
- Tungsten (W): 0.7% – Adds to the overall wear resistance.
- Manganese (Mn) and Silicon (Si) – Contribute to the steel's structure and improve its mechanical properties.
Thanks to this advanced composition, M398 steel offers excellent wear resistance and edge retention, making it a highly suitable material for high-performance knives.
Heat Treatment of M398 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 M398 Steel
Austenitizing
The austenitizing process for M398 steel involves heating to 1120–1180°C (2050-2155°F) and holding at the set temperature for a specified time, counting 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.
Holding time after through-heating:
- 20-30 minutes - for hardening at lower temperatures 1120–1150°C (2050–2100°F);
- 5-10 minutes - for hardening at the higher temperature 1180°C (2155°F).
The times given by the manufacturer refer to industrial components; the times for thin parts are not specified.
Quenching
After austenitizing, M398 steel is rapidly cooled. Quenching media: oil or N₂.
The material should be cooled to approximately 30°C (86°F).
Sub-zero Treatment (Optional)
After hardening, the steel can be deep frozen at −80°C (−112°F) for 2 hours. This process increases hardness by approximately +2/+3 HRC and stabilises the steel structure.
Sub-zero treatment should be performed after hardening and before 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.
Sub-zero treatment is especially recommended if the steel will be tempered at high temperatures to achieve high wear resistance. Caution: with high austenitizing temperatures ≥ 1150°C (2100°F) there is a risk of stress cracking.
Tempering of M398 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 manufacturer recommends tempering M398 steel at different temperature ranges depending on the intended goal:
- For highest corrosion resistance — temper at 200–300°C (392–572°F), regardless of whether subzero treatment was performed beforehand. Temper once for 1 hour per 20 mm of material thickness, but at least 2 hours.
- For highest wear resistance — if subzero treatment was performed, temper at 510–530°C (950–986°F); without prior subzero treatment, temper at 540–560°C (1004–1040°F). Temper three times for 1 hour per 20 mm of material thickness, but at least 2 hours.
Regardless of the temperature used, the manufacturer recommends slow heating and cooling the material to approx. 30°C (86°F) after each tempering step.
M398 Steel Tempering Chart
Below are the tempering curves for M398 steel for the following heat-treatment conditions:
- Austenitizing at 1150°C (2100°F) / 20 min. / 5 bar; without subzero treatment; tempering 2x2 h.
- Austenitizing at 1150°C (2100°F) / 20 min. / 5 bar; subzero treatment for 2 h at −70°C (−94°F); tempering 2x2 h.
TU WKLEIĆ WKRES
Comparison of M398 Steel with Other Knifemaking Steels
M398 Steel vs. M390 Steel
M398 steel is characterized by a lower level of retained austenite after hardening and low-temperature tempering (200–300 °C), which improves its hardenability compared to M390, especially when cryogenic treatment is not applied.
Due to its high volume fraction of primary carbides (approx. 30%), M398 demonstrates significantly higher hardness, wear resistance, and compressive strength compared to M390.
Comparison of hardness after tempering (hardened at 1150 °C / 2100°F, without subzero treatment):
| Tempering Temperature (°C / °F) | Hardness of M390 Steel | Hardness of M398 Steel |
| 200°C / 392°F | ~59 HRC | ~61–62 HRC |
| 250°C / 482°F | ~57-58 HRC | ~60–61 HRC |
| 300°C / 572°F | ~56-57 HRC | ~60 HRC |
| 540°C / 1000°F | ~59-60 HRC | ~60–61 HRC |
| 560°C / 1040°F | ~54-55 HRC | ~57–58 HRC |
M398 Steel vs. S90V Steel
S90V is another high-performance steel known for its wear resistance and edge retention. However, M398 provides even better wear resistance due to its higher carbon content and tungsten content in its composition, making it a better choice for blades that require extreme durability.
M398 Steel vs. Elmax Steel
Elmax offers a good balance of corrosion resistance, toughness, and wear resistance. M398, on the other hand, is optimized for maximum wear resistance and edge retention, making it ideal for knives that are subjected to heavy use and require long-lasting sharpness.
Applications of M398 Steel in Knifemaking – Best for Different Types of Knives
High-Performance EDC Knives
M398 steel is an excellent choice for high-performance everyday carry (EDC) knives due to its exceptional edge retention and wear resistance. It is ideal for users who need a knife that stays sharp through heavy, repetitive cutting tasks.
Tactical and Combat Knives
Tactical and combat knives made from M398 steel benefit from its high hardness and durability, ensuring that the blade maintains its edge even in extreme conditions. This makes M398 suitable for demanding tactical situations.
Hunting and Outdoor Knives
M398 steel is also used in hunting and outdoor knives, where maintaining a sharp edge is essential for skinning and other tasks. Its superior wear resistance ensures that the knife remains effective even after extended use in the field.
Collector's Knives
Due to its premium properties and excellent performance, M398 steel is often used in collector's knives. The high hardness, superior edge retention, and overall performance make it a desirable choice for high-end custom knives.
How to Care for a Knife Made of M398 Steel?
Although M398 steel offers good corrosion resistance, it is still recommended to follow a few guidelines to ensure the knife's longevity:
- Cleaning – Always clean the knife thoroughly after each use and avoid leaving it wet to prevent any potential corrosion.
- Oiling – Periodic oiling of the blade helps maintain its excellent condition and provides additional protection against moisture.
- Sharpening – Use diamond sharpeners or whetstones to maintain the blade's sharpness, as the high hardness of M398 can make sharpening more challenging compared to softer steels.
Summary – Why Choose M398 Steel?
M398 steel is an exceptional material for high-performance knives, offering unparalleled wear resistance, high hardness, and excellent edge retention. It is an ideal choice for knives used in demanding conditions, such as tactical, hunting, and high-performance EDC knives. Thanks to its advanced properties, M398 steel is also highly valued by knife collectors and custom knife makers.
Choosing M398 steel ensures that the knife will maintain its sharpness for a long time, making it a reliable tool for a wide range of applications.

M398 steel stands out for its exceptional wear resistance, high hardness, and outstanding edge retention, making it ideal for high-performance knives.
M398 steel achieves a hardness range of 62–64 HRC after proper heat treatment, providing exceptional edge retention and durability.
M398 steel is ideal for high-performance EDC knives, tactical knives, hunting knives, and collector's knives due to its superior edge retention and wear resistance.
M398 steel can be more challenging to sharpen due to its high hardness. Using diamond sharpeners or whetstones is recommended for maintaining the blade's sharpness.
A knife made from M398 steel should be regularly cleaned, dried, and oiled to prevent corrosion and maintain its excellent properties. Proper maintenance will help preserve its sharpness and overall durability for many years.