Description

Austrian high-chromium stainless steel. Excellent balance of edge retention and corrosion resistance. Popular in European production and custom knives.

Properties

Edge Retention
6.0/10
Corrosion Resistance
7.0/10
Toughness
6.0/10
Ease of Sharpening
7.0/10

Chemical Composition

C
1.07%
Carbon
Cr
17.00%
Chromium
Mo
1.10%
Molybdenum
V
0.10%
Vanadium

✓ Pros

Excellent corrosion resistance due to high chromium. Good edge retention. Well-balanced properties. Popular in quality production knives. Heat treats predictably.

✗ Cons

More expensive than AUS-8 or VG-10. Not as wear-resistant as high-vanadium steels. Moderate toughness.

Grinding Notes

Grinds well with ceramic belts. Higher chromium content means moderate grinding speed. Keep cool to maintain hardness.

Polishing Notes

Takes excellent polish. High chromium content provides bright, corrosion-resistant finish. Popular for tanto grinds.