Blade Steel Reference Chart
Posted: Mon Jun 30, 2014 12:42 pm
Here is a handy Blade Steel Reference Chart:
STEEL TYPE / ROCKWELL HARDNESS
17-7 PH / 54-56
Good corrosion resistance, excellent for water sports applications. This alloy is a
chromium-nickel-aluminum precipitation hardening stainless steel with good
edge retention. Great corrosion resistance generally means a high chromium
content, and this means knives made with this steel will be a little harder to
sharpen than blades with a lower chromium content.
154 CM / 58-62
Originally designed for jet engine fan blades, it is the precursor to the Japanese
made ATS-34. In recent years, this steel has made a resurgence in the knife
industry, offering good blade toughness, edge holding capability and corrosion
resistance. Fairly easy to resharpen.
420 / 49-53
A hard, strong blade steel. This stainless steel is commonly used in knife blades,
and offers good corrosion resistance at a low cost. Decent edge holding
capabilities and fairly easy to resharpen, this steel is a good balance of the most desirable
traits for knife steel.
420 HC / 56-58
A high carbon version of 420 steel, this steel combines the excellent wear
resistance of high carbon alloys with the corrosion resistance of chromium
stainless steels. The high carbon content makes this steel harder to resharpen,but
the tradeoff is better edge holding properties.
440 A / 55-57
A high carbon stainless steel, used in many production knives. A good balance of edge
retention, easy resharpening and corrosion resistance.
440C / 58-60
A high chromium stainless steel which exhibits an excellent balance of hardness
and corrosion resistance. This steel takes a nice edge, and is fairly easy to sharpen even
for a novice.
1095 / 56-58
This is a plain carbon steel, which means it has low resistance to corrosion, and
low to medium edge retention. The benefit of this steel is it's easy to sharpen, will
take an extremely sharp edge and is generally available at a low cost.
5150 / 55-60
A medium carbon, low alloy steel that hardens well. This steel is ideally suited to
blades with a very thick cross-section such as tomahawks and axes. Extremely
tough and impact resistant, this steel is most often used on blades which are hafted
and/or thrown.
8Cr13MoV / 58-60
A medium-grade stainless steel, similar in many properties to the AUS 8 series
Good edge holding properties, and easy to sharpen. Decent corrosion resistance.
STEEL TYPE / ROCKWELL HARDNESS
17-7 PH / 54-56
Good corrosion resistance, excellent for water sports applications. This alloy is a
chromium-nickel-aluminum precipitation hardening stainless steel with good
edge retention. Great corrosion resistance generally means a high chromium
content, and this means knives made with this steel will be a little harder to
sharpen than blades with a lower chromium content.
154 CM / 58-62
Originally designed for jet engine fan blades, it is the precursor to the Japanese
made ATS-34. In recent years, this steel has made a resurgence in the knife
industry, offering good blade toughness, edge holding capability and corrosion
resistance. Fairly easy to resharpen.
420 / 49-53
A hard, strong blade steel. This stainless steel is commonly used in knife blades,
and offers good corrosion resistance at a low cost. Decent edge holding
capabilities and fairly easy to resharpen, this steel is a good balance of the most desirable
traits for knife steel.
420 HC / 56-58
A high carbon version of 420 steel, this steel combines the excellent wear
resistance of high carbon alloys with the corrosion resistance of chromium
stainless steels. The high carbon content makes this steel harder to resharpen,but
the tradeoff is better edge holding properties.
440 A / 55-57
A high carbon stainless steel, used in many production knives. A good balance of edge
retention, easy resharpening and corrosion resistance.
440C / 58-60
A high chromium stainless steel which exhibits an excellent balance of hardness
and corrosion resistance. This steel takes a nice edge, and is fairly easy to sharpen even
for a novice.
1095 / 56-58
This is a plain carbon steel, which means it has low resistance to corrosion, and
low to medium edge retention. The benefit of this steel is it's easy to sharpen, will
take an extremely sharp edge and is generally available at a low cost.
5150 / 55-60
A medium carbon, low alloy steel that hardens well. This steel is ideally suited to
blades with a very thick cross-section such as tomahawks and axes. Extremely
tough and impact resistant, this steel is most often used on blades which are hafted
and/or thrown.
8Cr13MoV / 58-60
A medium-grade stainless steel, similar in many properties to the AUS 8 series
Good edge holding properties, and easy to sharpen. Decent corrosion resistance.