Description
High-speed tool steel adapted for knives. Excellent combination of edge retention and toughness. PM processing makes it much tougher than conventional M4. Will rust.
Properties
Edge Retention
Corrosion Resistance
Toughness
Ease of Sharpening
Chemical Composition
C
1.42%
Carbon
Cr
4.00%
Chromium
Mo
5.25%
Molybdenum
V
4.00%
Vanadium
W
5.50%
Tungsten
✓ Pros
Outstanding toughness for a high-hardness steel. Excellent edge retention. Can be run very hard. Proven in demanding applications. Good for hard use.
✗ Cons
Poor corrosion resistance - rusts easily. Requires maintenance. Difficult to sharpen. Grinds slowly. Needs protective coating or frequent oiling.
Grinding Notes
Grinds slowly due to high alloy content. Tough and wear resistant. Ceramic belts work best. Cool grinding important. Stock removal is slow.
Polishing Notes
Takes good polish despite high carbide content. Dark gray color characteristic of tool steels. Looks great with forced patina.