Description

Semi-stainless tool steel with excellent wear resistance. Very popular for knives.

Properties

Edge Retention
8.5/10
Corrosion Resistance
5.0/10
Toughness
5.5/10
Ease of Sharpening
5.0/10

Chemical Composition

C
1.55%
Carbon
Cr
12.00%
Chromium
Mo
0.80%
Molybdenum
V
0.90%
Vanadium
Mn
0.40%
Manganese

✓ Pros

Excellent edge retention. Semi-stainless. Widely available.

✗ Cons

Can chip. Harder to sharpen. Can rust in humid conditions.

Grinding Notes

Wear resistant - use fresh belts. Chromium carbides present.

Polishing Notes

Chromium carbides make mirror polish challenging.