Knife steels A-Z

Every steel on SteelChart, grouped by type. For a sortable side-by-side view, use the steel chart.

Stainless steels

Conventional (ingot) stainless steels with enough free chromium, roughly 12% or more, to resist rust in everyday use.

14C28NStainless steels · 57–60 HRC154CMStainless steels · 58–61 HRC420HCStainless steels · 56–58 HRC440CStainless steels · 57–59 HRC8Cr13MoVStainless steels · 56–59 HRCAEB-LStainless steels · 59–62 HRCAUS-8Stainless steels · 57–59 HRCLC200NStainless steels · 57–60 HRCN690Stainless steels · 58–60 HRCNitro-VStainless steels · 59–62 HRCVG-10Stainless steels · 59–61 HRC

Powder metallurgy stainless steels

Stainless steels made by powder metallurgy, which keeps carbides small and evenly spread so high-alloy steels stay tough enough for knives.

20CVPowder metallurgy stainless steels · 59–62 HRCCTS-XHPPowder metallurgy stainless steels · 60–63 HRCElmaxPowder metallurgy stainless steels · 60–62 HRCM390Powder metallurgy stainless steels · 60–62 HRCMagnaCutPowder metallurgy stainless steels · 61–64 HRCS30VPowder metallurgy stainless steels · 58–61 HRCS35VNPowder metallurgy stainless steels · 58–61 HRCS45VNPowder metallurgy stainless steels · 59–61 HRCS90VPowder metallurgy stainless steels · 59–62 HRCSG2 (R2)Powder metallurgy stainless steels · 62–64 HRCZDP-189Powder metallurgy stainless steels · 64–67 HRC

Tool steels

Ingot tool steels designed for dies and cutting tools; high wear resistance, limited corrosion resistance.

D2Tool steels · 58–61 HRC

Powder metallurgy tool steels

Powder metallurgy tool steels that combine high toughness with wear resistance, with little corrosion resistance.

CPM 3VPowder metallurgy tool steels · 58–62 HRCCruWearPowder metallurgy tool steels · 60–64 HRC

High-speed powder steels

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

CPM M4High-speed powder steels · 62–65 HRCHAP40High-speed powder steels · 64–67 HRC

Carbon steels

Simple carbon and low-alloy steels: easy to sharpen and often tough, but they rust and patina without care.

1095Carbon steels · 56–60 HRC80CrV2Carbon steels · 57–60 HRCShirogami #2Carbon steels · 61–64 HRC