What Material Keeps The Best Sharp Edge

In choosing the best pocket knife you should pay particular attention to the blazon of steel used in the blade. Aslope edge geometry and pattern, blade steel is a critical element that determines how a knife performs. Steel is essentially an alloy (i.e. a mix) of carbon and iron that is often enriched with other elements to improve certain characteristics depending on the desired application.

In the knife industry different types of steel are created by varying the types of additive elements too every bit how the blade is rolled and heated (i.eastward. the finishing process). Refer to our Pocketknife Steel Composition Chart for more details on these elements.

Ultimately, the different types of steel used in knife blades each exhibit varying degrees of these five central backdrop:

Hardness

Hardness is the power to resist deforming when subject to stress and applied forces. Hardness in pocketknife steels is directly correlated toforcefulness and is generally measured using the Rockwell C scale (aka "HRC").

Toughness

Toughness is the ability to resist harm similar cracks or fries when subject field to bear on or "sudden loads". Chipping is a pocketknife's worst enemy and never easy to fix. There are a number of different ways to measure toughness (i.e. Charpy, Izod) thus it'due south less standardized than hardness when it comes to knives. In general, the harder the steel the less tough information technology's likely to be.

Wear Resistance

Wear resistance is the steel's power to withstand impairment from both annoying and adhesive wear. Abrasive wearable occurs when harder particles pass over a softer surface. Adhesive wear occurs when debris is dislodged from i surface and attaches to the other. Wear resistance generally correlates with the steel's hardness but is also heavily influenced by the specific chemistry of the steel. In steels of equal hardness, the steel with larger carbides (think microscopic, hard, article of clothing resistant particles) will typically resist wearable better. However, carbides can get brittle and scissure, thus decreasing toughness.

Corrosion Resistance

Corrosion resistance is the power to resist corrosion such as rust acquired past external elements similar humidity, moisture and salt. Note that a high resistance to corrosion does involve a sacrifice in the overall edge performance.

Edge Retention

Border Retentivity represents how long the bract will retain its sharpness when subject to periods of use. It's what everyone talks virtually these days but unfortunately the measurement of edge retention lacks any defined set of standards and so much of the data is subjective. For me, edge retention is a combination of habiliment resistance and an border that resists deformation.

>Here's a knife with the best performing steel for edge retention<

Unfortunately the "best knife steel" is not just a case of maximizing each of the properties to a higher place….it's a merchandise off. The biggest trade off is balancing strength or hardness with toughness. Some blades tin be made to exist uncommonly hard but volition flake or crack if you lot drib them onto a hard surface. Conversely a blade can exist extremely tough and able to bend only will struggle to hold it'southward edge. Basically, the stuff that makes steel strong (high amount carbon/carbides) generally lowers the toughness. Also note that the term 'stainless steel' is mostly misleading as most all types of steel volition prove some kind of discoloration if left exposed to the elements for long enough. By knowing how y'all program to use the knife you volition generally be able to determine the best steel for your state of affairs.

Common Knife Steel Types

The nigh common bract steel types generally fall into the following categories:

Carbon Steel – generally made for crude use where toughness and durability is important. Common in survival knives and machetes. They take a sharp edge and are relatively piece of cake to re-sharpen. The merchandise-off is beingness more prone to corrosion given the depression chromium content. The about popular carbon pocketknife steel is 1095.
Tool Steel – primarily difficult steel alloys used in cutting tools. Some pop tool steels in this group include D2, O1 and Crucible's CPM series (i.eastward. CPM 3V) plus more advanced high speed steels like M4.
Stainless Steel – basically carbon steel with added chromium to resist corrosion and other elements which increase performance levels simply ordinarily at the expense of inferior toughness. Easily the most popular category today for EDC knives and includes the 400, 154CM, AUS, VG, CTS, MoV, Sandvik and Crucible SxxV series of steels. Note that to authorize as a truthful stainless steel there must exist at least xiii% chromium.

Today's pop knife steels

Beneath are the almost common steels constitute in knife blades today. Yes, technically there are "amend" steels out there (CPM-125V, CPM-10V, K294 to name a few) but these are extremely rare in the marketplace. Don't become as well carried abroad with the perceived rankings, it'due south not an exact scientific discipline and this is only my style of bucketing the steels into general functioning categories based on a variety of factors.

CPM S110V

Border Retentiveness: 10 CORROSION RESISTANCE: 6 EASE OF SHARPENING: one

Market POPULARITY: ane

Quite simply the ultimate in wear resistance and edge retention in 'mainstream' knife production. All the same relatively rare in the market place and arguably indistinguishable from CPM-S90V outside of the laboratory, but the fact remains that zippo holds an border like Crucible's CPM-S110V. Information technology's costly, a bitch for knifemakers to work with and sharpening can drive you basics simply a CPM-S110V blade will hold up for a ridiculous corporeality of time (our review of the Spyderco Military demonstrates perfectly). >> Meet knives with CPM-110V steel.

CPM S90V

Border Retentivity: 9 CORROSION RESISTANCE: 5 EASE OF SHARPENING: 1

MARKET POPULARITY: 3

Crucible's CPM S90V steel approaches the very pinnacle of wear resistance and edge retentiveness. As you'd expect the carbon content is very high but the secret here is the extreme quantities of vanadium, about three times that found in Elmax or S30V. Yes information technology's ridiculously expensive, and yeah it requires the patience of a saint to sharpen only outside its less common cousin CPM-S110V (meet above) nothing holds an edge or withstands abrasion quite like CPM S90V. One of the hottest CPM S90V blade's correct now is the Benchmade 940-1 with exceptional operation. >> See knives with CPM-90V steel.

M390

Border Retention: 9 CORROSION RESISTANCE: 7 EASE OF SHARPENING: 2

MARKET POPULARITY: 6

M390 is i of the new super steels on the block, manufactured by Bohler-Uddeholm (effect of merger of Austrian Bohler and Swedish Uddeholm). Information technology uses third generation pulverisation metal engineering and developed for knife blades requiring first-class corrosion resistance and very loftier hardness for excellent wear resistance. Chromium, molybdenum, vanadium, and tungsten are added to promote sharpness and outstanding edge retention. Unlike ZDP-189 most carbides are formed by vanadium and molybdenum, leaving more 'free chromium' to fight corrosion. M390 hardens to 60-62 HRC. Bohler calls this steel "Microclean" and it tin exist polished to attain a true mirror. Moderately hard to sharpen, but won't accept y'all equally long equally with S90V. Benchmade'due south 581 Barrage is an affordable instance of M390 performing at its best. >> See knives with M390 steel.

ZDP-189

Border Retentivity: eight CORROSION RESISTANCE: 4 EASE OF SHARPENING: i

Market POPULARITY: 2

ZDP-189 by Hitachi is another of the newer super steels containing huge quantities of carbon and chromium that result in ridiculous levels of hardness. ZDP-189 averages effectually 64 HRC but some knifemakers are able to reach upwards of 66 HRC. Of course with those levels of hardness you tin expect superb edge retention simply at the cost of extreme difficulty in sharpening. With a chromium content of effectually 20% you'd expect it to exist immune to corrosion correct? Wrong. The massive amount of carbon in ZDP-189 effectively 'pairs upwardly' with the chromium to grade carbides which leaves less 'complimentary chromium' to battle corrosion. Then, while it's both harder and more wear resistant than S30V information technology's more decumbent to corrosion. Spyderco'sDragonfly two is a good example. >> See knives with ZDP-189 steel.

Elmax

Edge RETENTION: 8 CORROSION RESISTANCE: five EASE OF SHARPENING: 3

MARKET POPULARITY: half-dozen

European Uddeholm (now Bohler-Uddeholm) introduced Elmax which is a high chromium-vanadium-molybdenum assimilated powdered steel with extremely high vesture and corrosion resistance. Elmax is stainless just acts in many means like a carbon steel. You become superb edge property and the easiest of the super-steels to sharpen while maintaining a salubrious resistance to rust. The 'best all round' pocketknife steel? Perhaps. What's great to meet is that Bohler-Uddeholm sure is giving Crucible a run for their money these days. The ZT 0620 is a not bad example of a superb Elmax blade. >> Run into knives with Elmax steel.

CPM-20CV

Edge Retentiveness: 9 CORROSION RESISTANCE: seven EASE OF SHARPENING: ii

Market POPULARITY: iv

CPM-20CV is Crucible's version of Bohler'south popularM390steel which besides influenced Carpenter to copycat with CTS-204P. As a Powder Metallurgy (PM) tool steel, you get a combination of impressive wear resistance and border retentivity plus the added benefit of being highly corrosion resistant due to high levels of chromium. It's still fairly new in the market only makers like Benchmade are already using CPM-20CV in newer models like their 556-one Griptilian. In fact, Benchmade claim their M390 is marginally tougher just 20CV has improve edge retention. >> Run into knives with CPM-20CV steel.

CTS-XHP

Border RETENTION: 8 CORROSION RESISTANCE: vi EASE OF SHARPENING: 5

MARKET POPULARITY: 4

CTS-XHP from US based Carpenter is some other relatively new knife steel that has very practiced edge retention and hardens to almost 61 HRC. This is yet another pulverization metallurgy cosmos where Carpenter'due south technicians have developed an extremely fine powder grain that results in splendid performance. Slightly better border retentivity than S30V and but a little more than work required in the sharpening process. Call up of CTS-XHP as a more than corrosion resistant form of D2 steel with marginally superior edge retentivity. Like D2, however, information technology'southward non easy to acuminate and tin be breakable (prone to chipping). >> Encounter knives with CTS-XHP steel.

CPM M4

Edge RETENTION: 9 CORROSION RESISTANCE: 2 EASE OF SHARPENING: 2

Marketplace POPULARITY: 2

A high performance tool steel which excels at toughness and arguably holds and border ameliorate than any other carbon steel. Like all CPM steels, CPM M4 is created using Crucible's patented Crucible Particle Metallurgy process, which provides an extremely homogeneous, stable and grindable product compared to the traditional processes. CPM M4 provides superbly balances levels of abrasion resistance and toughness through high doses of molybdenum (hence the "M"), vanadium and tungsten together with reasonably high levels of carbon. It tin be hardened to effectually 62-64 HRC but note M4 is a carbon steel is not considered stainless with relatively low levels of chromium. So, while this is 1 of the best steels effectually for cutting, it has to exist properly cared for and may develop a patina over time. Some manufacturers have resorted to coatings which do help just note they won't last forever. Easy to sharpen?…erm, no. >> Run into knives with M4 steel.

CPM S35VN

Edge Retentiveness: 7 CORROSION RESISTANCE: 7 EASE OF SHARPENING: 5

Market place POPULARITY: 8

In 2009, Crucible and Chris Reeve introduced an ever and so slightly superior version of their excellent S30V steel and named it S35VN. By using a much finer grain structure and adding small quantities of niobium (hence the "N") they were able to make the outstanding S30V easier to machine while improving toughness and ability to sharpen. In the existent world, still you lot will find the two near-indistinguishable. Many would contend this is the ultimate in 'mainstream' pocketknife steels and yous would struggle to find any steel with better edge retentivity, toughness and stain resistance for the coin. In 2019, a decade subsequently, Crucible introduced CPM-S45VN which essentially incorporates an extra dollop of chromium for a pocket-sized improvement in corrosion resistance. >> Meet knives with CPM-S35VN steel.

CPM S30V

EDGE RETENTION: seven CORROSION RESISTANCE: 7 EASE OF SHARPENING: 5

Market POPULARITY: seven

Made past U.s.a. based Crucible, CPM S30V (often simply referred to as S30V) steel has excellent edge retention and resists rust effortlessly. It was designed in the US and is typically used for the loftier-end premium pocket knives and expensive kitchen cutlery. The introduction of vanadium carbides brings farthermost hardness into the steel blend matrix. Dollar for dollar, this is generally regarded as one of the finest knife bract steels with the optimal balance of edge retention, hardness and toughness. Note S30V now has a slightly better looking brother in S35VN which is distinctly similar but easier for manufacturers to work with thanks to niobium. Still, S30V is pretty mutual these days and ane of our favorites. >> See knives with CPM-S30V steel.

154CM

Edge Retention: 6 CORROSION RESISTANCE: half-dozen EASE OF SHARPENING: 5

A relatively hard steel which is considered an upgraded version of 440C through the addition of Molybdenum. This achieves superior edge belongings compared to 440C while retaining similar excellent levels of corrosion resistance despite having less Chromium. Information technology has decent toughness good enough for most uses and holds an border well. Not too difficult to sharpen with the right equipment. You'll notice a lot of quality pocket knives from top manufacturers like Benchmade using 154CM steel. You may also see CPM 154 which is a powder version of the same alloy produced much differently using Crucible Particle Metallurgy (Sweden'southward Damasteel also produces a similar grade in RWL-34). The Particle Metallurgy procedure makes finer carbide particles resulting in a slightly superior steel that's tougher and with better edge retention … but whether the average user can tell the difference is arguable.

ATS-34

EDGE RETENTION: half-dozen CORROSION RESISTANCE: 6 EASE OF SHARPENING: 5

This steel can exist thought of equally the Japanese equivalent to the United states fabricated 154CM. Appropriately, it has very similar properties and characteristics to the 154CM and in general represents a high quality steel which has become very pop with pocketknife makers. ATS-34 has peachy edge retentivity simply is actually a footling less rust resistant than the lower-range 440C steel.

Edge RETENTION: viii CORROSION RESISTANCE: two EASE OF SHARPENING: 3

D2 steel is a tool steel often referred to as "semi-stainless" every bit it falls just short of the required amount of chromium (13%) to qualify as full stainless yet it still provides a good corporeality of resistance to corrosion. On the flip side D2 steel is much harder than other steels in this category such as 154CM or ATS-34 and equally a result holds its border a lilliputian better. That said, information technology'south not every bit tough as many other steels and exponentially tougher to sharpen. In fact, you really need to be a master-sharpener to go a fine edge on D2.

VG-10

Border RETENTION: half-dozen CORROSION RESISTANCE: 7 EASE OF SHARPENING: 6

The VG-10 steel is very like to 154CM and ATS-34 with slightly more chromium for enhanced corrosion resistance only also contains vanadium which makes it marginally tougher than these two. Information technology originated non too long ago from Japan and has been slowly introduced into the American market past respect knife makers like Spyderco. It'south relatively hard and tin get extremely precipitous while too demonstrating reasonable toughness.

EDGE RETENTION: 2 CORROSION RESISTANCE: 9 EASE OF SHARPENING: 8

H1 steel from Nihon'southward Myodo Metals is basically the ultimate in corrosion resistance and substantially does non rust. The epitome of true stainless steel. Naturally, this comes at a toll and that price is edge retention which is relatively poor. So, while excellent for diving it'southward a non-starter for most EDC utilize. Very expensive stuff.

N680

Border RETENTION: 5 CORROSION RESISTANCE: 8 EASE OF SHARPENING: vi

N680 steel contains about 0.20% nitrogen and over 17% chromium making information technology extremely corrosion resistant. If your bract will exist in frequent contact with salt water for example then this is the steel for you. It'south also a fine grained steel that can accept a very fine edge. Consider information technology a cheaper alternative to H1 steel with decent border retention just information technology won't agree an edge as long as say, 154CM.

440C

EDGE RETENTION: 4 CORROSION RESISTANCE: 4 EASE OF SHARPENING: half-dozen

Once considered the high-end in US knife steels, 440C is a expert all-round steel that has now been overshadowed by many of the newer super-steels on the block. This is a stainless steel usually used on many mass-manufactured pocket knives and represents a solid affordable all-circular pick. It's reasonably tough and wear resistant but it really excels at stain resistance. Holds an edge improve than information technology'southward 400-series analogue 420HC but at the expense of some corrosion resistance. The 440C blades tin be sharpened relatively hands. It has the highest levels of carbon and chromium in this group.

AUS-8

Border Retention: 3 CORROSION RESISTANCE: 4 EASE OF SHARPENING: 8

AUS-viii steel is Japanese made and extremely similar to 440B steel which is slightly more than resistant to rust and corrosion than 440C but less hard. Information technology's likewise similarly tough but may not hold its edge equally well as some of the more premium steels which deport a greater degree of carbon. Remember, more carbon means more than hardness and edge holding. Existent easy to acuminate and takes a razor border.

CTS-BD1

EDGE RETENTION: 4 CORROSION RESISTANCE: 6 EASE OF SHARPENING: vi

Created at Spyderco's request, CTS-BD1 is a vacuum-melted stainless steel from US based Carpenter that is often likened to AUS-8 and 8Cr13MoV with many putting it slightly alee of those two based on superior edge holding. With slightly more chromium it also achieves better corrosion resistance. CTS-BD1 has mid-sized chromium carbides (hard, article of clothing resisting particles) it takes an edge relatively easily but not on par with the wear resistance of high carbide steels like 154CM.

8Cr13MoV

EDGE RETENTION: three CORROSION RESISTANCE: v EASE OF SHARPENING: 8

The MoV (or Cr) series of steels originate from China and comparable to AUS-eight but containing slightly college carbon content. Yous typically go great value for money with this steel and good manufacturers similar Spyderco have mastered the heat treatment process to bring out its all-time.

14C28N

EDGE Retention: 4 CORROSION RESISTANCE: 6 EASE OF SHARPENING: 6

The 14C28N stainless steel from Swedish manufacturer Sandvik is considered an upgrade to their 13C26 described below. In fact, Kershaw asked Sandvik to make their 13C26 steel more resistant to corrosion and the effect was 14C28N. In the lab you'll find slightly more chromium and less carbon in the 14C28N just the real cloak-and-dagger is the addition of Nitrogen which promotes corrosion resistance. Overall a very impressive mid-range steel that can be made extremely sharp. Arguably the best budget knife steel and quite peradventure the all-time steel yous'll find on a sub-$thirty production knife.

440A

Edge RETENTION: iii CORROSION RESISTANCE: 5 EASE OF SHARPENING: 9

Very much like 420HC but with slightly more carbon which results in enhanced levels of wear resistance and border retentiveness only suffers from weaker anti-corrosion backdrop.

420HC

Border Retentivity: 3 CORROSION RESISTANCE: 8 EASE OF SHARPENING: nine

Generally considered the king of the 420 steels, 420HC is similar to 420 steel but with increased levels of carbon (HC stands for High Carbon) which makes the steel harder. Still considered a lower-mid range steel but the more competent manufacturers (e.g. Buck) tin really bring out the best in this affordable steel using quality heat treatments. That results in ameliorate edge retentivity and resistance to corrosion. In fact, this is 1 of the most corrosion resistant steels out there, despite it'south low price. Yous'll notice information technology mostly on budget blades (< $50) and multi-tools.

13C26

EDGE RETENTION: 3 CORROSION RESISTANCE: 4 EASE OF SHARPENING: 7

This is Sandvik's version of the AEB-L steel, originally adult for razor blades. Close comparison to 440A steel with a college carbon to chromium ratio making it generally a little harder and habiliment at the expense of corrosion resistance. Still, in existent world applications it's difficult to tell them apart and they tend to perform very similarly. Sandvik later came out with 14C28N which is a slightly improved version of 13C26.

1095

Edge RETENTION: iii CORROSION RESISTANCE: 2 EASE OF SHARPENING: 8

This is the most popular x-series standard carbon steel (almost 1% carbon) with depression corrosion resistance and boilerplate edge retentiveness properties. Why would y'all want 1095 steel? The appeal here is 1095 is a tough steel that'due south resistant to chipping, information technology'south easy to sharpen, takes a crazy sharp edge and is inexpensive to produce. This makes it desirable for larger heavy duty fixed blades and survival knives which are going to exist subject to more abuse than your typical EDC. Many manufacturers will coat their 1095 knives to filibuster the onset of any corrosion merely a simple oil treatment will do the fob.

420J

EDGE RETENTION: ii CORROSION RESISTANCE: 8 EASE OF SHARPENING: 9

The 420 steel is on the lower stop of the quality spectrum just nevertheless perfectly fine for full general use applications. It has a relatively low carbon content (normally less than 0.5%) which makes for a softer bract and every bit a upshot will tend to lose information technology's edge quicker than college terminate steels. Blades made from 420 steel volition rapidly lose their sharp border over a relatively brusque time menses. That said, it's typically tough with high flexibility and extremely stain resistant but it is not particularly resistant to wearable and tear. Equally you would expect, knives made from this type of steel are generally low priced, mass produced items.

AUS-six

EDGE Retentiveness: iii CORROSION RESISTANCE: v EASE OF SHARPENING: 9

Japanese made equivalent to the 420 series steel. A soft steel that's generally low quality with relatively little carbon content but it resists corrosion reasonably well.

Other popular steels

In today's fiercely competitive market the ultimate steels rarely retain their crown for long. Manufacturers consistently button the boundaries of science and technology to introduce superior alloys to the market place and boost profits. I call back the days when 440C was king, an impressive steel now relegated to the budget category. Certain, marketing plays a huge role today with companies using slick tactics to convince consumers that their latest steel is even better than the concluding. Truth is, it's condign increasingly difficult to evaluate these steels considerately as the incremental performance gains get duplicate and almost incommunicable to quantify outside of the laboratory. Notwithstanding, here's my take on some other steels which are pop amid knife enthusiasts but nonetheless relatively rare in the market place.

Maxamet

Maxamet is the latest high speed powder steel from Carpenter (aka CarTech). Its an extreme alloy with insane hardness and tremendous edge retention while all the same retaining a reasonable amount of toughness simply at the expense of corrosion resistance (information technology'southward not stainless). While information technology wasn't designed to compete with Crucible'south nautical chart topping CPM-S110V steel, many knife nerds like the compare the ii. So, how does Maxamet compare confronting CPM-S110V? Well, it's largely still upwards for debate just from my experience Maxamet matches S110V in edge retention but falls short on corrosion resistance (it's non stainless). Both are ridiculously difficult to sharpen. Yous'll find Maxamet on some Spyderco offerings like the Native 5 and Manix two.

Cru-Wear

Cru-Article of clothing is a Crucible tool steel which can be thought of every bit a modification of D2 steel past dialing down the carbon and chromium while jacking upward the vanadium and tungsten levels. Vanadium carbides beat out chromium for hardness and and lower carbon levels brand for a tougher steel. So, now information technology becomes comparable to CPM-3V and M4, with fantabulous toughness and thus resistance to chipping in knives. Bottom line is, CruWear is offered as a rest between 3V and M4. Information technology's tougher than M4 but won't hold an border as long, while being less tough than 3V but holds and edge longer. Basically a practiced balance of toughness and article of clothing resistance. Currently being offered by Bark River Knives, Jake Hoback, Spyderco.

Knife Steel Performance Charts

Here are my rankings for edge retentiveness, corrosion resistance, Rockwell hardness and toughness.

Knife Steel Elements

Alloying elements are an of import ingredient vital in getting the best steel for the job. Hither'due south a cursory description of their bear on on the resulting steel's properties. For more information come across our knife steel composition guide.

Element	What information technology contributes
Carbon
	Hardness, Edge Memory
Chromium
	Corrosion Resistance, Hardness
Molybdenum
	Toughness
Nickel
	Toughness
Vanadium
	Hardenability, Wear Resistance
Cobalt
	Hardness
Manganese
	Hardenability, Strength, Clothing Resistance
Silicon
	Hardenability, Force
Niobium
	Toughness, Wear Resistance, Corrosion Resistance
Tungsten
	Toughness, Vesture Resistance
Sulfur
	Machinability
Phosphorus
	Hardness, Corrosion Resistance
Nitrogen
	Hardness, Corrosion Resistance
Copper
	Deoxidation
Aluminum
	Deoxidation
Boron
	Hardenability
Lead
	Machinability
Selenium
	Machinability
Tantalum
	Ductility, Hardness, Wearable Resistance
Zirconium
	Toughness, Ductility

What are CPM steels?

CPM stands for Crucible Particle Metallurgy which is a process for manufacturing high quality tool steels. American Crucible Industries is the sole producer of CPM steels which are formed by pouring the molten metal through a small nozzle where high pressure gas bursts the liquid stream into a spray of tiny aerosol. These droplets are cooled, solidified into a pulverization form and and so hot isostatically pressed (HIP) where the powder is bonded and compacted. The flim-flam here is that the HIP procedure ensures each of the fine particles have a uniform composition without any alloy segregation. All this results in a steel that has improved toughness, wear resistance and can exist ground and oestrus treated with maximum consequence.

Austenitic vs Martensitic Steel

Austenitic steel contains high amounts of nickel (effectually 8%) which makes it non-magnetic and relatively soft making it generally undesirable for knife making. However, the benefits of Austenitic steel are its toughness and superior corrosion resistance from high levels of chromium making it perfect for everyday items like forks, spoons, kitchen sinks, etc. Martensitic steel contains less chromium while even so meeting the criteria for stainless steel simply very fiddling nickel thus making the steel magnetic. What really sets martensitic steels autonomously is college levels of carbon which allows for the germination of Martensite, an extremely hard structure making it ideal for knifemaking. Steel manufacturers can transform austenite into martensite through rapid quenching.

What about Damascus steel?

Damascus steel originates from the middle due east from countries like India and Islamic republic of pakistan where it was get-go used back in good sometime "BC" times. Information technology's instantly recognizable every bit it bears a swirling pattern caused by the welding of two different steels and then often referred to as "pattern-welded" steel (not to be dislocated with Wootz steel which is only similar in appearance). There are many myths about the strength and capabilities of Damascus steel but today information technology is largely pop because of its aesthetic dazzler. Mostly for collectors only.

Are all blades from the same steel alike?

Absolutely non. A massive cistron in how a blade performs comes from Heat Treating. In transforming the 'raw' steel into the finished blade each manufacturer volition estrus treat the steel to bring out the best in its inherent characteristics. Heat treating is complicated and it requires skill to bring out the very best that the steel tin offer. So, a CPM-S30V knife from one manufacturer may perform very differently to that from another.

Other considerations

Call back, blade steel is non everything. Knife buyers should beware getting caught upward in researching the perfect steel type equally it is non by itself the but thing that dictates how a knife will perform. Steel assay has become somewhat scientific that it's like shooting fish in a barrel to become caught up in the maze of statistics. Note – just because a blade is made from the premium or loftier-end steels listed above does not automatically mean information technology's "ameliorate" than the lesser steels. The heat treatment techniques used by the manufacturer besides every bit the blueprint of the blade itself play a huge role in the ultimate outcome of knife performance!

In reality, all mod steels will perform well enough for nigh users so consider spending more time on other aspects of the pocket pocketknife such equally how the knife handles and other features.