If you’re a new knife maker, you’re going to want to make sure you choose the best steel for your knives. There are many different types of steel out there, and it can be difficult to know which one will give your knives the most blades for the money. You’re in luck, however, because this article will cover several of the most popular ones and help you decide which is best for you.
1095 steel
1095 is a type of carbon steel that is popular for knives. It has high toughness and good sharpness. The grade is easy to work with and has good edge retention properties. Nonetheless, it can be brittle and prone to rust.
To avoid rusting, you should keep your blade dry in wet conditions and properly store it. You should also oil it regularly.
Fortunately, there are a few steel alloys with high levels of carbon that offer good wear resistance and edge retention. For example, the Japanese SK5 high-carbon steel offers better toughness and edge retention than 1095.
LC200N[65]
There are many steels available on the market. Some are very soft, others are hard, and some require advanced sharpening techniques. It is important to understand which steels work best for you. Knowing the differences in sharpness, corrosion resistance, and toughness will help you select the right steel for your knife.
A number of steels have a high carbon content. These steels have very good wear resistance, but are not as durable as harder steels. They are also easier to sharpen.
High-carbon steels are often used in outdoor knives that are subject to harsh weather conditions. However, these steels are also very affordable. This makes them an excellent choice for people on a budget.
S110V
If you’re a new knife maker, you’re probably wondering which steel to use. While many steels are similar, each has its own special qualities. There are even alloys specifically designed for knives.
The best knife steel is the one that is the most durable, while maintaining a sharp edge. Steels with high wear resistance are ideal everyday carry materials. They can be difficult to sharpen, however. Using a professional will make the sharpening process last longer.
If you’re looking for a great steel for your first knife, you’ll want to check out the Crucible CPM-S110V. This steel is excellent for small blades like utility knives. It is also resistant to corrosion.
S35VN
There are several high-speed steels out there that are hard enough to make a great knife. Some steels are so hard that they are difficult to sharpen. However, if you can get your hands on the right one, you can achieve excellent edge retention.
Stainless steel is known for its superior corrosion resistance. Typically, stainless steel contains more chromium than other types of steel. It also has higher carbon content. These benefits give it a soft feel and a higher edge strength. Aside from stainless steel, some other alloys are highly favored by knife enthusiasts.
CPM M4
If you’re looking to start a new knife company, you might want to know which steel to use. Carbon is a good choice because of its toughness and ease of sharpening. However, you will need to take into consideration other properties such as corrosion resistance, durability, and stain resistance.
There are several choices out there that can give you a great combination of properties. The best one is likely to be CPM M4. This steel provides high performance as well as a fine edge.
You can find it on some of the latest Benchmade knives, such as the K390 and CTS-204P. While it’s not a stainless steel, it is made from a proprietary alloy. These types of alloys aren’t standardized, so they don’t meet the same specifications as the standard spec.
Takefu special steels
Takefu special steels are a popular choice among Japanese knife makers. These knives are made with a composite steel that combines two of the best stainless steels for kitchen cutlery. The VG-10 alloy has a chromium content of 15%, while the VG-10(B/W) alloy has 0.2% of cobalt and 1% of molybdenum. This steel also has good wear resistance and can be resharpened.
Several steel alloys contain carbon amounts of more than 3%, making them hardened to a Rockwell hardness of 65-67. However, these alloys have lower toughness levels compared to the SK series.
Maxamet
If you are looking to make your own knife, Maxamet is probably the best steel to use. It has excellent toughness, edge retention, and wear resistance. But it has one serious disadvantage. You must learn to sharpen it.
Maxamet is a high carbide, chromium-vanadium alloy that is a moderately hard and tough metal. It has a max hardness of 70 HRC.
The chromium in Maxamet increases its toughness and tensile strength. However, it is not corrosion resistant. For anglers, sailors, and divers, corrosion-resistant knives are a must.