14C28N vs Nitro-V
14C28N resists corrosion better, and the two tie on edge retention, toughness and ease of sharpening. The differences are small, so the knife itself matters more than the steel.
Who wins each property
Side by side
| 14C28N | Nitro-V | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Stainless steels | Stainless steels |
| Hardness | 57–60 HRC | 59–62 HRC |
| Edge retention | 3/10 | 3/10 |
| Toughness | 8/10 | 8/10 |
| Corrosion resistance | 8/10 | 7/10 |
| Ease of sharpening | 9/10 | 9/10 |
| Price tier | Budget | Mid-range |
| Maker | Alleima (Sandvik) | Buderus Edelstahl (for New Jersey Steel Baron) |
Composition
| Element | 14C28N | Nitro-V |
|---|---|---|
| Carbon (C) | 0.62 | 0.68 |
| Chromium (Cr) | 14 | 13 |
| Vanadium (V) | — | 0.08 |
| Nitrogen (N) | 0.11 | 0.11 |
| Manganese (Mn) | 0.6 | 0.65 |
| Silicon (Si) | 0.2 | 0.45 |
| Phosphorus (P) | 0.025 | 0.025 |
| Sulfur (S) | 0.01 | 0.015 |
Property by property
Edge retention
Both rate 3/10 for edge retention. Vanadium: 0% vs 0.08%; more vanadium carbide generally means more wear resistance.
Toughness
Both rate 8/10 for toughness. Typical hardness: 57–60 vs 59–62 HRC; harder blades trade toughness for edge holding.
Corrosion resistance
14C28N resists corrosion better: 8/10 against 7/10 for Nitro-V, a 1-point gap. Chromium: 14% vs 13%, though what matters is the chromium left in solution, not the total.
Ease of sharpening
Both rate 9/10 for ease of sharpening.
Knives in each steel
14C28N
| Knife | Brand | Blade | Weight | Lock | List price | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kershaw Leek 1660 | Kershaw | 3" | 3 oz | Frame lock | $124.99 | Blade HQ |
| Kershaw Blur 1670BLK | Kershaw | 3.4" | 3.9 oz | Liner lock | $159.99 | Blade HQ |
Nitro-V
| Knife | Brand | Blade | Weight | Lock | List price | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Civivi Button Lock Elementum II | Civivi | 2.96" | 3.12 oz | Button lock | $76.50 | Blade HQ |
| Civivi Baby Banter Slip Joint | Civivi | 2.34" | 2.36 oz | Slip joint | $75 | Blade HQ |
| Civivi Zygon | Civivi | 3.24" | 3.37 oz | Crossbar lock | $79.70 | Blade HQ |
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FAQ
Which is better, 14C28N or Nitro-V?
14C28N resists corrosion better, and the two tie on edge retention, toughness and ease of sharpening. The differences are small, so the knife itself matters more than the steel.
Which is harder, 14C28N or Nitro-V?
14C28N is typically run at 57–60 HRC and Nitro-V at 59–62 HRC.
Is 14C28N or Nitro-V more rust resistant?
14C28N (8/10). Both are conventional stainless steels.