1095 steel
1095 is a carbon steel. It rates 3/10 for edge retention, 5/10 for toughness and 1/10 for corrosion resistance, and is usually hardened to 56–60 HRC.
At a glance
- Type
- Carbon steels
- Hardness
- 56–60 HRC
- Maker
- Generic (AISI/SAE) (USA)
- Process
- ingot
- Price tier
- Budget
- Used by
- ESEE, Ka-Bar, Ontario, TOPS, Becker, Condor (select), Schrade
- Also called
- AISI 1095, SAE 1095, C100S
Composition
| Element | Weight % |
|---|---|
| Carbon (C) | 0.95 |
| Manganese (Mn) | 0.4 |
| Silicon (Si) | 0.2 |
| Phosphorus (P) | 0.04 |
| Sulfur (S) | 0.05 |
Source: published standard (AISI/DIN/JIS/GB). Nominal values; where a range is published, the midpoint is shown. Phosphorus and sulfur, where listed, are maximums.
What makes 1095 behave the way it does
1095 contains 0.95% carbon, enough to reach typical knife hardness.
Workhorse US carbon steel; shallow-hardening, needs fast quench.
Knives in 1095
| Knife | Brand | Blade | Weight | Lock | List price | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ESEE Izula-II | ESEE | 2.63" | 3.2 oz | — | $130.16 | Blade HQ |
| ESEE-4 | ESEE | 4.5" | 8 oz | — | $143.50 | Blade HQ |
| ESEE-6 | ESEE | 6.5" | 12 oz | — | $175.28 | Blade HQ |
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How to sharpen 1095
1095 is easy to sharpen (9/10). Aluminium-oxide and water stones work well, and it takes a fine edge quickly; a ceramic rod or strop keeps it going between sharpenings.
Compare 1095 with
FAQ
Is 1095 a good knife steel?
1095 is strongest in ease of sharpening (9/10) and weakest in corrosion resistance (1/10). Its average across the four ratings is 4.5/10, and it sits in the budget price tier.
Does 1095 rust?
Yes. 1095 rates 1/10 and will rust or patina without care; dry it after use and keep a thin coat of oil on it.
Is 1095 hard to sharpen?
1095 is easy to sharpen (9/10). Aluminium-oxide and water stones work well, and it takes a fine edge quickly; a ceramic rod or strop keeps it going between sharpenings.
What hardness is 1095?
Knives in 1095 are usually hardened to 56–60 HRC. Makers can run it outside that range; harder means better edge retention but lower toughness.