High-speed powder steels for knives

Powder metallurgy high-speed steels with tungsten, molybdenum and vanadium; very high hardness and edge retention, low corrosion resistance.

SteelTypeHRCEdgeToughnessCorrosionSharpeningTier
CPM M4High-speed powder steels62–658523Premium
HAP40High-speed powder steels64–678423Premium

Edge retention vs toughness

High-speed powder steels: edge retention vs toughnessCPM M4: edge 8, toughness 5; HAP40: edge 8, toughness 41122334455667788991010Edge retention →Toughness →CPM M4CPM M4HAP40HAP40

Comparisons with high-speed powder steels

Other steel types