8Cr13MoV steel
8Cr13MoV is a conventional stainless steel. It rates 3/10 for edge retention, 5/10 for toughness and 6/10 for corrosion resistance, and is usually hardened to 56–59 HRC.
At a glance
- Type
- Stainless steels
- Hardness
- 56–59 HRC
- Maker
- Generic (GB/T, Ahonest Changjiang etc.) (China)
- Process
- ingot
- Price tier
- Budget
- Used by
- Spyderco (Tenacious, Persistence), Kershaw, CRKT, Boker Plus, Ganzo, SOG
- Also called
- 8Cr13, 8Cr13MoV
Composition
| Element | Weight % |
|---|---|
| Carbon (C) | 0.8 |
| Chromium (Cr) | 13.5 |
| Vanadium (V) | 0.1 |
| Molybdenum (Mo) | 0.15 |
| Nickel (Ni) | 0.2 |
| Manganese (Mn) | 0.5 |
| Silicon (Si) | 0.5 |
| Phosphorus (P) | 0.04 |
| Sulfur (S) | 0.03 |
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 8Cr13MoV behave the way it does
8Cr13MoV contains 0.8% carbon, enough to reach typical knife hardness; 13.5% chromium for corrosion resistance.
A small vanadium addition (0.1%) mainly refines grain size.
Chinese near-equivalent of AUS-8.
Equivalent and similar steels
- AUS-8 class (similar class; compositions differ): AUS-8, 8Cr13MoV, 8Cr14MoV, CTS-BD1
Knives in 8Cr13MoV
| Knife | Brand | Blade | Weight | Lock | List price | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spyderco Tenacious | Spyderco | 3.39" | 4.2 oz | Liner lock | $91 | Blade HQ |
Buy links go to retailers; some are affiliate links, and we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Disclosure.
Shop 8Cr13MoV knives at Blade HQ
How to sharpen 8Cr13MoV
8Cr13MoV is easy to sharpen (8/10). 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 8Cr13MoV with
FAQ
Is 8Cr13MoV a good knife steel?
8Cr13MoV is strongest in ease of sharpening (8/10) and weakest in edge retention (3/10). Its average across the four ratings is 5.5/10, and it sits in the budget price tier.
Does 8Cr13MoV rust?
It can. 8Cr13MoV rates 6/10: stain-resistant rather than rust-proof, so it can spot if left wet or salty.
Is 8Cr13MoV hard to sharpen?
8Cr13MoV is easy to sharpen (8/10). 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 8Cr13MoV?
Knives in 8Cr13MoV are usually hardened to 56–59 HRC. Makers can run it outside that range; harder means better edge retention but lower toughness.