List of blade materials
Blade steel refers to the type of steel that is used to make the blade of a knife or other edged tool, such as a sword or hatchet.
The blade of a knife can be made from a variety of materials, the most common being carbon steel, stainless steel, tool steel and alloy steel. Other less common materials used in knife blades include: cobalt and titanium alloys, ceramics, obsidian, and plastic.
History
During the Stone age, stone, bone and notably the glass obsidian where often sharpened for people to use as weapons or tools, but better shaped metallic items which most would call "blades" started during the Bronze age. Blades, usually daggers or short swords, have been found during this period to be made from bronze, brass, copper, pewter and tin, and in rare circumstances even lesser known metals such as the extremely hard chromium have been found to have been used to coat weaponry.[1]
During the Iron age however the hardness of the new metal iron and it's alloy steel made the other metals impractical to be used during battle and so from then on the vast majority of melee weapons and tools have been made from these metals. Still, metals harder than steel such as tungsten and titanium have been used to make knives and tools as their hardness often means they have a higher functionality.
Steel terminology
Steel
Alloy steels
Main article:
Alloy steel
- 5160, Spring steel. Popular forging steel for swords and large knives. High toughness and good wear resistance.[2]
- V-toku1 / V-toku2, alloyed steel with W /Cr's original characteristics.[3]
Tool steels
Tool steel grades used in cutlery : A, D, O, M, T, S, L, W. See also AISI Tool Steel Grades.
The following are tool steels, which are alloy steels commonly used to produce hardened cutting tools:
- Alphanumeric series
The "alphanumeric series" is only labeled to briefly describe a property in that particular steel. One should not confuse them to be related other than the fact that they are tool steels and that most of them are produced by bohler-uddelholm. Alphanumeric only means that they name always contains (and start with) a letter.
- A-2, a steel that trades wear resistance for toughness. It is used in custom made fighting knives by makers such as Phill Hartsfield, Mike Snody and John Fitzen (Razor Edge US).[2][4]
- D-2, has a high chrome content of 12.00%, it is called "semi-stainless", because of the lack of free Chromium in solution. While not as tough as premium carbon steels, it is much tougher than premium stainless steels.[2]
- O-1, popular forging steel. Good wear resistance and edge stability. Relatively tough, but not as much as A2 or 5160.[5] It is most commonly used by Randall Knives, Mad Dog Knives,[6] and many other custom knife makers.[2]
- M2, slightly tougher than D-2. Capable of keeping a tempered edge at high temperatures. However, it is hardly used anymore in factory production knives, CPM M4 is becoming more popular. Custom knife makers still use it for knives intended for fine cutting with very thin edges.[2][5]
- T1 (No description available)[7]
- T2 (No description available)[8]
- S-1 (No description available)[9]
- W-1, water hardening tool steel.High carbon content.[2]
- W-2, tool steel, holds edge quite well. Not very tough. Has a carbon content of 1.5.[2]
- CPM series
Crucible Material Corporation[10] tool steels produced using CPM process[11]
- CPM 1V, proprietary steel, very high toughness, several times higher than A2 with and same level of wear resistance.[2]
- CPM 3V, proprietary steel, very high toughness, less than CPM 1V, but more than A2, and high wear resistance, better than CPM 1V. Used by several custom knives makers and factories, including Jerry Hossom, Reese Weiland. Makes good choice for the swords and large knives.[2]
- CPM M4 (AISI M4), High speed tool steel produced by Crucible using CPM process.[11] M4 has been around long time, lately entering custom and high end production knives.[2]
- CPM 9V Modification of CPM 10V with lower carbon and vanadium to improve toughness and heat check resistance.
- CPM 10V (AISI A11), highly wear-resistant tool steel, toughness comparable with D2 tool steel. Currently used by a few custom knife makers. Phil Wilson uses CPM 10V and other CPM steels.[2]
- CPM 15V, proprietary, extremely high wear-resistant tool steel, thanks to 14.5% Vanadium content. Found only in custom knives.[2]
Chrome steel
Main article:
Chrome steelChrome steel is one of a class of non stainless steels which are used for applications such bearings, tools and drills.
- 52100, ball bearing steel. In terms of wear resistance, a little better than that of the O1 steel, however 52100 is also tougher. It has very fine carbides, which translates into high edge stability. Used by many custom makers, Swamp Rat knives uses 52100 steel under the name SR101.[2]
- En31, a steel that we have no information about except the fact that it exists.
- SUJ2, a steel that we have no information about except the fact that it exists.
- 100Cr6, a steel that we have no information about except the fact that it exists.
- 100C6, the fact that it exists.
- DIN 5401, the fact that it exists.
Semi-stainless steels
Steels that did not fit into the stainless category because they may not have enough of a certain element, such as chromium.
- V-Gin1 Fine-grained steel with Mo, V for the best effect of Cr.
- V-Gin2, More Cr is added for better corrosion resistance.
- V-Gin3B, More Cr is added for better corrosion resistance.
Stainless steel
Stainless steel is a popular material for knife blades because it resists corrosion and is easy to maintain however, it is not impervious to corrosion and rust. In order for a steel to be considered stainless it must have a chromium content of at least 13%.[12]
- 154CM/ATS-34 steels
These two steels are practically identical in composition (154Cm vs. ATS-34 compositions). They were introduced into custom knives by Bob Loveless circa 1972.
- 154CM is produced by Crucible Material Corporation.[10]
- CPM 154 is identical to 154CM in composition, produced using CPM Process,[11] with all the benefits of the CPM technology.[5][13]
- ATS-34, produced by Hitachi Metals.[14]
Both are considered premium cutlery steels for folding knives and fixed blades[5]
- 300 series
American stainless steel manufactured by Allegheny Ludlum steel Co and crucible steel co.
- 302 is a Chromium-Nickel austenitic alloy used for blenders and mixers.
- 303 is a non-magnetic austenitic stainless steel specifically designed to exhibit improved machinability.
- 303 SE is a non-hardenable austenitic chromium-nickel steel to which selenium has been added to improve machinability and non-galling characteristics.[15]
- 304L is a non-hardenable, low carbon austenitic chromium-nickel steel designed for special applications.[16]
- 316L is a non-hardenable, low carbon austenitic chromium-nickel steel with superior corrosion and heat resisting qualities.[17]
- 321 is a non-hardenable austenitic chromium-nickel steel with a high chromium content of 18.00%.[18]
- 400 series
The 400 series remains one of the most popular choices for knife makers because it is easy to sharpen and it is resistant to corrosion.
- 410 is a hardenable, straight-chromium stainless steel which combines superior wear resistance with excellent corrosion resistance.
- 416 is very similar to 410 with the addition of sulfur to improve machinability.
- 420 has more carbon than 410, but less than 440. As such it is softer than 440, but has a higher toughness.
- 420HC is a higher carbon content 420 stainless. The HC stands for "high carbon" and it can be brought to a higher hardness than 420 and should not be mistaken for it. Buck Knives uses 420HC extensively.[5]
- 420J2 is an inexpensive,highly corrosion resistant steel. Knife manufacturers use this material in budget knives, also in diving knives due to its high resistance to corrosion.[5]
- 440A is relatively a low cost, highly corrosion resistant stainless steel.[19]
- 440B is almost identical to 440A, but has a higher carbon content range compared to 440A[19]
- 440C is considered a high-end stainless steel. It is very resistant to corrosion and is one of the most common stainless alloys used for knife making.[19] 440C has highest carbon content in 440 group.[19]
- CPM SxxV series
The SxxV series are Crucible Material Corporation[10] stainless steels produced using CPM process.[11]
- CPM S30V,[20] on the lower end of the SxxV steels, it has a carbon content of 1.45%. However, S30V is still considered to be a superior choice for knife making.[21][22]
- CPM S35VN is a martensitic stainless steel designed to offer improved toughness over CPM S30V. It is also easier to machine and polish than CPM S30V.[23]
- CPM S60V (formerly CPM T440V) (discontinued), very rich in vanadium. CPM S60V has a carbon content of 2.15%.[5] It was an uncommon steel, but both Spyderco and Kershaw Knives offered knives of this steel, Boker still offers folders made from CPM S60V.[24]
- CPM S90V (formerly CPM T420V), has less chromium than S60V, but has almost twice as much vanadium.[5] S90V's carbon content is also higher, resting around 2.30%[25]
- CPM S110V is the latest addition to the SxxV line. It has higher corrosion resistance than S90V and marginally better wear resistance. The additional corrosion resistance while retaining all the benefits of S90V makes this steel extremely desired for kitchen cutlery.[26]
- AUSx series
The AUS stainless steel series is produced by Aichi Steel Corporation, Japan. They differ from the AISI 4xx series because they have vanadium added to them. Vanadium improves the wear resistance, toughness, and ease of sharpening.[5]
- AUS-6 (6A) is comparable to 440A with a carbon content close to 0.65%.[5] It is a low cost steel, slightly higher wear resistance compared to 420J.
- AUS-8 (8A) is comparable to 440B with a carbon content close to 0.75%.[5] AUS-8 is often used instead of 440C.[5] SOG knives uses AUS-8 extensively.
- AUS-10 (10A) is comparable to 440C with a carbon content close to 1.10%.[5] It is slightly tougher than 440C.
- VG series
Japanese stainless steels, manufactured by Takefu Special Steel.[27]
- VG-1 Takefu stainless steel. Popular steel in Japanese kitchen knives.[27]
- VG-2 Middle-carbon Mo stainless blade steel.
- VG-5 Synergic effect of Mo and V makes carbide finer.
- VG-7/VG-8 W addition strengthens substrate and improves tempering performance.
- VG-10(B/W) Takefu stainless steel, similar composition to VG-1 but also contains cobalt and vanadium. Good wear resistance and rust resistance.
Due to small Vanadium content VG-10 has finer grain content compared to VG-1. Cobalt and Nickel improve toughness. Overall, it has better edge stability compared to VG-1. VG-10 is widely used in Japanese kitchen knives, several western makers use it in various folders and fixed blade knives, including Spyderco and Fallkniven.[5]
- CTS series
American stainless steels produced by Carpender technology using vacuum-melt™ technology.
- CTS™-BD1 high-carbon chromium steel that provides stainless properties with high hardness and excellent wear resistance.
- CTS™-20(CP) offers superior edge retention and surface finish, an ability to be machined to a fine edge, and consistent heat-treatability from lot to lot.
- CTS™-40C(CP) a powder metallurgy, high-carbon chromium stainless steel designed to provide stainless properties with maximum hardness.
- CTS™-TMT A hardenable martensitic stainless steel that combines improved corrosion resistance over Type 410 stainless with hardness up to 53 HRC and improved formability over 17Cr-4Ni.
- CTS™-XHP is a powder metallurgy, air-hardening, high carbon, high chromium, corrosion-resistant alloy. It can be considered either a high hardness 440C stainless steel or a corrosion-resistant D2 tool steel.
- Mo/MoV series
Chinese and american stainless steels, manufacturer is unknown with the exception of 14-4CrMo which is manufactured by latrobe specialty steel CO.
(sorted by first number.)
- 3CR13MoV A steel that we have no information about except the fact that it exists.
- 6CR12MoV A steel that we have no information about except the fact that it exists.
- 7CR13MoV A steel that we have no information about except the fact that it exists.
- 7CR17MoV A steel that we have no information about except the fact that it exists.
- 8CR13MoV A Chinese stainless steel tempered at the Rc56 to Rc58 range and used in the Tenacious, Persistence, Ambitious, Resilience, and Byrd lines of knives. Often compared to AUS-8, but with slightly more Carbon.
- 8CR14MoV A steel that we have no information about except the fact that it exists.
- 9Cr18Mo A higher end Chinese stainless steel used mostly in high-end barbering scissors and surgical tools.
-
- 14-4CrMo Manufactured by latrobe specialty steel Co. A wear resistant, martensitic stainless tool steel that exhibits better corrosion resistance than type 440C stainless steel.
- Sandvik series
- 6C27 A common knife steel grade with good corrosion resistance and low hardness, mainly used in applications where the need for wear resistance is low.
- 7C27Mo2 Generally the same properties as Sandvik 6C27, but with improved corrosion resistance.
- 12C27 A grade with high hardness and good wear resistance.
- 12C27M A grade with good wear resistance and good corrosion resistance, well suited for the manufacture of kitchen tools.
- 13C26 Generally the same properties as Sandvik 12C27, but with slightly higher hardness but less corrosion resistant.
- 14C28N Generally the same properties as Sandvik 12C27, but with higher hardness and slightly better corrosion resistance.
- 19C27 A grade with very high hardness and wear resistance.
- DSR series
Daido stainless tool steels used for kitchen knives and scissors.
- DSR1K6(M), A steel that we have no information about except the fact that it exists.
- DSR7F, used for high hardness cutting parts.
- DSR1K7, A steel that we have no information about except the fact that it exists.
- DSR1K8, A steel that we have no information about except the fact that it exists.
- DSR1K9, A steel that we have no information about except the fact that it exists.
- DSR10UA, used for small scissors.
- DSR1K11, A steel that we have no information about except the fact that it exists.
- Other stainless
- ATS-55, produced by Hitachi Metals.[14] It has lower molybdenum content than ATS-34. Less wear resistant that ATS-34 and has been reported to be also less rust-resistant than ATS-34.[5]
- Kin-2, Middle-carbon Mo,V stainless blade steel.
- BNG10, A steel that we have no information about except the fact that it exists.
- Co-Special, A steel that we have no information about except the fact that it exists.
- Ultra high carbon stainless
Several steel alloys have carbon amount close or above 3%. As usual those steels can be hardened to extremely high levels, 65-67HRC. Toughness levels are not high compared to CPM S90V steel, however, they have high wear resistance and edge strength, making them good choice for the knives designed for light cutting and slicing works.
- Cowry-X produced by Daido steel using PM process. Contains 3% carbon,20% chromium,1.7% Molybdenum and Less than 1.00 % vanadium.[2] Other elements are not published or may not even exist. Used by Hattori knives in their kitchen knives KD series.
- ZDP-189 produced by Hitachi steel using PM process. Contains 3% carbon and 20% chromium. Also contains Tungsten and Molybdenum.[2] Used by several custom knife makers and factory makers including Spyderco and Kershaw in the limited run of the Ken Onion Shallot folders. The Henckels Miyabi line markets this steel with the name "MC66".
- CPM S125V produced by Crucible Material Corporation[10] using CPM process. Contains 3.25% carbon, 14% chromium and 12% Vanadium and other alloying elements.[2] Exceptionally high wear resistance, making it difficult to process and machine for knifemakers. Used only in custom knives.
Hi-speed steel
- CPM REX series
- CPM REX 121, no information is currently known about this steel except the fact that it exists.
- CPM REX 20 (HS) is a cobalt-free super high speed steel made by the CPM process.
- CPM REX 45 (HS) is an 8% cobalt modification of M3 high speed steel made by the CPM process.
- CPM REX 54 HS is a cobalt-bearing high speed steel designed to offer an improvement in the red hardness of the popular M4 grade, while maintaining wear properties equivalent to M4.
- CPM REX 66 (HS) is a super high speed steel made by the CPM process.
Stain-proof steels
The steels in this category have much higher resistance to elements and corrosion than conventional stainless steels. They are used in knives designed for use in aggressive, highly corrosive environments, such as saltwater, areas with high humidity like tropical forests, swamps, etc.[28]
- H1, produced by Myodo Metals, Japan. Used by Spyderco in their salt water/diving knives. Benchmade used it as well, later replaced with X15TN.[2]
- X15Tn, French steel, originally designed for medical industry and jet ball bearings. Used by Benchmade in their salt water/diving knives.[2]
- N680, Bohler-Uddeholm steel, highly corrosion resistant. Used by Benchmade in their salt water/diving knives.[2]
- N690CO an Austrian stainless steel hardened to the high Rc50 range. Currently found in Spyderco's Hossom knives and the recently discontinued Italian-made Volpe. TOPS knives also used it in their C.Q.T magnum 711 knife.[29]
Carbon steel
Main article:
Carbon steelCarbon steel is a popular choice for rough use knives. Carbon steel tends to be much tougher and much more durable, and easier to sharpen than stainless steel. They lack the chromium content of stainless steel, making them susceptible to corrosion.[5]
- 10xx series
The 10xx series is the most popular choice for carbon steel used in knives. They are very durable.
- 1095, a popular high-carbon steel for knives; it is more brittle than lower carbon steels such as 1055, 1060, 1070, and 1080. It has a carbon content of 0.90-1.03%[5]
- 1084, carbon content 0.80-0.93%
- 1070, carbon content 0.65-0.75%[5] Used in machetes.
- 1060, used in swords. It has a carbon content of 0.55-0.65%[5]
- 1055, used in swords and machetes, often heat-treated to a spring temper to reduce breakage. It has a carbon content of 0.48-0.55%[5]
- V-x series
- V-1/V-2 Chrome is added to improve quenching performance.
- V-2C, Pure carbon steel, with impure substances completely removed.
- Other proprietary steels
- INFI, a unique steel used in Busse knives. It is a tough steel, that resists both wear and stains. It has a carbon content of 0.50%[5]
- Other carbon steel
These steels did not exist in a series.
- Shiro-2 Cr and Ni are added for better quenching and ductility.
Ceramics
Aluminum oxide ceramic(Al2O3)
- Marketech AO series
- AO 95 (No description available)
- AO 98(No description available)
Zirconium Oxide ceramics (ZrO2)
This area is currently under construction at the moment.
Common blade elements
- Carbon (C)
- Increases edge retention and raises tensile strength.
- Increases hardness and improves resistance to wear and abrasion.
- Chromium (Cr)
- Increases hardness, tensile strength, and toughness.
- Provides resistance to wear and corrosion.
- Cobalt (Co)
- Increases strength and hardness, and permits quenching in higher temperatures.
- Intensifies the individual effects of other elements in more complex steels.
- Copper (Cu)
- Increases corrosion resistance.
- Manganese (Mn)
- Increases hardenability, wear resistance, and tensile strength.
- Deoxidizes and degasifies to remove oxygen from molten metal.
- In larger quantities, increases hardness and brittleness.
- Molybdenum (Mo)
- Increases strength, hardness, hardenability, and toughness.
- Improves machinability and resistance to corrosion.
- Nickel (Ni)
- Adds strength and toughness.
- Niobium (Nb)
- Nitrogen (N)
- Used in place of carbon for the steel matrix. The Nitrogen atom will function in a similar manner to the carbon atom but offers unusual advantages in corrosion resistance.
- Phosphorus (P)
- Improves strength, machinability, and hardness.
- Creates brittleness in high concentrations.
- Silicon (Si)
- Increases strength.
- Deoxidizes and degasifies to remove oxygen from molten metal.
- Sulfur (S)
- Improves machinability when added in minute quantities.
- Tungsten (W)
- Adds strength, toughness, and improves hardenability.
- Vanadium (V)
- Increases strength, wear resistance, and increases toughness.
Other materials
These materials did not fit into the aforementioned steel or ceramic types.
- Stellite and Talonite
- Titanium is often used in diving and bomb squad knives due to its rust-resistance and non-magnetic properties. On its own, titanium is a softer metal, leading to an edge that is lacking. Many custom makers graft on a carbide edge to deal with this problem.
- Damascus steel - refers to either pattern welded steel or the ancient crucible steel (wootz, pulad, bulat).
- Obsidian, used by Native Americans for knives, spears, and arrowheads.
Unassigned steels
The group of these steels is unknown at this time. please move them to their proper group and provide a description.
- standard stainless
- san-mai
- OU-31
- cpm-d2
- elmax
- M390
- cobalt special
- gin-1
- gin 1
- MBS-26
- MDS
- super blue
- H-1
- 3cr
- CTS-BD30P
References
- ^ Cotterell, Maurice. (2004). The Terracotta Warriors: The Secret Codes of the Emperor's Army. Rochester: Bear and Company. ISBN 159143033X. Page 102.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s "Knife Steel Composition And Name Conversion Chart". zknives.com. http://zknives.com/knives/steels/steelchart.php. Retrieved 2010-05-03.
- ^ V-toku1/V-toku2
- ^ Pacella, Gerard (2002). 100 Legendary Knives. Krause Publications. p. 126. ISBN 978-0873494172.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u Talmadge, Joe (2005). "Knife Steel FAQ". http://zknives.com/knives/articles/knifesteelfaq.shtml. Retrieved 2010-04-19.
- ^ Hartink, A.E. (September 30, 2005). Complete Encyclopedia of Knives. Lisse, The Netherlands: Chartwell Books. pp. 448. ISBN 9781854091680.
- ^ T1
- ^ T2
- ^ S1
- ^ a b c d "Crucible Material Corporation". Crucible Material Corporation. http://www.crucibleservice.com/.
- ^ a b c d "Crucible Particle Metallurgy". Crucible Material Corporation. Archived from the original on 2008-07-03. http://web.archive.org/web/20080703032746/http://www.crucibleservice.com/products/CPM/index.cfm. Retrieved 2008-07-03. .
- ^ Goddard, Wayne (2000). The Wonder of Knifemaking. Krause. pp. 160. ISBN 978-0873417983.
- ^ "Crucible CPM 154 Data Sheet". Crucible. http://www.crucible.com/PDFs%5CDataSheets2010%5CDatasheet%20CPM%20154%20CMv12010.pdf. Retrieved 30 December 2011.
- ^ a b "Hitachi Metals Ltd.". Hitachi Metals Ltd.. http://www.hitachi-metals.co.jp/e/.
- ^ "Crucible 303SE Data Sheet". Crucible. http://www.crucible.com/PDFs%5CDataSheets2010%5CData%20Sheet%20303%20se.pdf. Retrieved 30 December 2011.
- ^ "Crucible 304CL Data Sheet". Crucible. http://www.crucible.com/PDFs%5CDataSheets2010%5CData%20Sheet%20304L.pdf. Retrieved 30 December 2011.
- ^ "Crucible 316L Data Sheet". Crucible. http://www.crucible.com/PDFs%5CDataSheets2010%5CData%20Sheet%20316.pdf. Retrieved 30 December 2011.
- ^ "Crucible 321 Data Sheet". Crucible. http://www.crucible.com/PDFs%5CDataSheets2010%5CData%20Sheet%20321.pdf. Retrieved 30 December 2011.
- ^ a b c d "Stainless Steel - Grade 440". A To Z of Materials. 2001. http://www.azom.com/details.asp?articleid=1024#_Composition. Retrieved 2010-04-19.
- ^ "CPM S30V". Crucible Service Centers. 2003-11-01. http://www.crucible.com/PDFs%5CDataSheets2010%5CdsS30Vv1%202010.pdf. Retrieved 2010-10-18.
- ^ Gardner, James (2005), "Duel of the Titans: two exceptional folders exemplify state-of-the-art", Guns Magazine 27 (6): 145–151
- ^ Mayo, Tom. "Technical and General Info". Mayo Knives Hawaii. http://www.mayoknives.com/tech.htm. Retrieved 2010-04-19.
- ^ "Crucible S35VN Data Sheet". Crucible. http://www.crucible.com/PDFs%5CDataSheets2010%5CdsS35VNrev12010.pdf. Retrieved 30 December 2011.
- ^ Ward, C. (2008), "An Edge in the Kitchen", Harper Collins, p.33-34, ISBN 978-0-06-118848-0
- ^ "Crucible CPMS90V Data Sheet". Crucible. http://www.crucible.com/PDFs%5CDataSheets2010%5CdsS90v1%202010.pdf. Retrieved 30 December 2011.
- ^ "Crucible CPMS110V Data Sheet". Crucible. http://www.crucible.com/PDFs%5CDataSheets2010%5CDatasheet%20CPM%20S110Vv12010.pdf. Retrieved 30 December 2011.
- ^ a b "VG-1 Stainless". Custom Tacticals. http://faq.customtacticals.com/steels/stainless_vg1.php. Retrieved 2010-04-21.
- ^ "H1 Steel". zknives.com. http://zknives.com/knives/steels/h1.shtml. Retrieved 2011-01-12.
- ^ Spyderco website/TOPS website
External links