Knife Material: An Overview
Kitchen knives are an essential tool in the kitchen, and the steel used to make them plays a crucial role in determining their sharpness, durability, and ease of maintenance. In this guide, we'll take a look at some of the most popular steels used in kitchen knives.
1.4116 Steel: 1.4116 is a German high-carbon stainless steel that is commonly used in kitchen knives. With a hardness range of 56-58 on the Rockwell Hardness Scale (HRC), 1.4116 is known for its good edge retention and resistance to corrosion. The steel is made of 0.45-0.55% carbon, 15-16% chrome, and 0.15-0.25% molybdenum, which makes it a great choice for knife makers who want a durable, low-maintenance blade.
N690 Cobalt Steel: N690 cobalt is an Austrian steel that is popular for its high resistance to corrosion and excellent edge retention. This steel has a Rockwell Hardness Scale (HRC) of 62, which makes it one of the harder steels on the market. The steel is made of 1.07% carbon, 18% chrome, and 1.5% cobalt, which gives it a unique combination of toughness and sharpness.
Swedish Stainless Steel: Swedish stainless steel is a popular choice for high-end kitchen knives, thanks to its combination of sharpness and durability. With a Rockwell Hardness Scale (HRC) of 59-60, Swedish stainless steel is known for its excellent edge retention and resistance to corrosion. One of the most popular brands of Swedish stainless steel is Misono UX 10, which has become a go-to choice for many professional chefs and home cooks.
Molybdenum Stainless Steel: Molybdenum stainless steel is a high-carbon stainless steel that is known for its good edge retention and resistance to rust and corrosion. With a Rockwell Hardness Scale (HRC) of 56-58, molybdenum stainless steel is a versatile choice for kitchen knives that can be used for a variety of cutting tasks. The steel is made of 0.45-0.55% carbon, 15-16% chrome, and 0.15-0.25% molybdenum, which gives it a strong, durable blade that is easy to maintain.
VG-10 Steel: VG-10 is a Japanese high-carbon stainless steel that is popular in high-end kitchen knives. With a Rockwell Hardness Scale (HRC) of 60-61, VG-10 is known for its excellent edge retention and resistance to rust and corrosion. The steel is made of 0.95-1.05% carbon, 15-16% chrome, 1% vanadium, and 1% cobalt, which gives it a strong, durable blade that is easy to sharpen and maintain.
1. Damascus Steel: Damascus steel is a type of steel that is characterized by its distinctive pattern created by layering different types of steel together and forging them into one blade. This steel is known for its sharpness and durability, and it is often used for high-end, decorative kitchen knives. The exact composition of Damascus steel can vary, as the steel is made from a mixture of different steels, but it typically has a hardness of around 58-60 HRC.
2. Sandvik 14C28N: Sandvik 14C28N is a high-performance stainless steel that is commonly used in kitchen knives. This steel is known for its excellent corrosion resistance and toughness, as well as its ability to hold a sharp edge. The steel has a composition of 14% chromium, 0.6% carbon, 0.1% nitrogen, and trace amounts of other elements. Its hardness is typically around 58-60 HRC.
3. D2 Steel: D2 steel is a type of high-carbon, high-chromium steel that is often used in kitchen knives. This steel is known for its excellent wear resistance and hardness, as well as its ability to hold a sharp edge. The steel has a composition of 1.5% carbon, 11% chromium, 1% molybdenum, 0.7% vanadium, and trace amounts of other elements. Its hardness is typically around 60-62 HRC.
4. X50CrMoV15: X50CrMoV15 is a type of stainless steel that is commonly used in kitchen knives. This steel is known for its excellent corrosion resistance and its ability to hold a sharp edge. The steel has a composition of 50% iron, 15% chromium, 0.5% carbon, 0.1% molybdenum, 0.1% vanadium, and trace amounts of other elements. Its hardness is typically around 56-58 HRC.
5. 440C Stainless Steel: 440C stainless steel is a type of high-carbon, high-chromium steel that is often used in kitchen knives. This steel is known for its excellent corrosion resistance and its ability to hold a sharp edge. The steel has a composition of 16-18% chromium, 0.75-1% carbon, and trace amounts of other elements. Its hardness is typically around 58-60 HRC.
6. AUS-10: AUS-10 is a type of high-carbon, high-chromium steel that is commonly used in kitchen knives. This steel is known for its excellent toughness and its ability to hold a sharp edge. The steel has a composition of 0.95-1.05% carbon, 14-15% chromium, and trace amounts of other elements. Its hardness is typically around 58-60 HRC.
7. SG2 Steel: SG2 is a type of high-speed steel that is prized for its exceptional hardness and ability to maintain a sharp edge, even after heavy use. This type of steel is made through a powder metallurgy process, which results in a uniform grain structure that provides excellent toughness and wear resistance. SG2 is commonly used in high-end kitchen knives and is known for its ability to hold a sharp edge for a long time. The steel has a Rockwell hardness rating of around 64-66.
8. 8Cr13MoV Steel: 8Cr13MoV is a type of stainless steel that is commonly used in budget to mid-range kitchen knives. It is known for its relatively low cost, good edge retention, and ease of sharpening. This type of steel has a Rockwell hardness rating of around 56-58 and is made up of 8% chromium, 13% molybdenum, and a small amount of vanadium. 8Cr13MoV is considered to be a good all-around choice for kitchen knives, and is often used in chef's knives, paring knives, and utility knives.
9. S35VN Steel: S35VN is a type of high-end stainless steel that is commonly used in high-end kitchen knives. It is known for its excellent edge retention, toughness, and corrosion resistance. This steel is made with a combination of carbon, chromium, molybdenum, and niobium, which help to improve its performance and durability. S35VN is a popular choice for kitchen knives that require a high level of performance and reliability, and typically has a Rockwell hardness rating (HRC) of around 59-61.
10. ELMAX Steel: ELMAX is a type of high-end stainless steel that is known for its exceptional edge retention, toughness, and corrosion resistance. This steel is made with a combination of chromium, molybdenum, vanadium, and tungsten, which help to improve its performance and durability. ELMAX is a popular choice for kitchen knives that require a high level of performance and reliability, and is often used in high-end Japanese-style kitchen knives. ELMAX typically has a Rockwell hardness rating (HRC) of around 60-62.
11. ZDP-189 Steel: ZDP-189 is a type of high-end steel that is known for its exceptional edge retention and hardness. This steel is made with a high amount of carbon and is often used in high-end Japanese-style kitchen knives. ZDP-189 typically has a Rockwell hardness rating (HRC) of around 67-69, making it one of the hardest steels available for kitchen knives.
12. M390 Steel: M390 is a type of high-end stainless steel that is known for its exceptional edge retention, corrosion resistance, and toughness. This steel is made with a combination of molybdenum, chromium, and vanadium, which help to improve its performance and durability. M390 is a popular choice for kitchen knives that require a high level of performance and reliability, and typically has a Rockwell hardness rating (HRC) of around 60-62.
13. S30V Steel: S30V is a type of high-end stainless steel that is known for its exceptional edge retention, toughness, and corrosion resistance. This steel is made with a combination of carbon, chromium, and vanadium, which help to improve its performance and durability. S30V is a popular choice for kitchen knives that require a high level of performance and reliability, and typically has a Rockwell hardness rating (HRC) of around 58-60.
Conclusion: Whether you're a professional chef or a home cook, the steel used in your kitchen knives is a critical factor in determining their performance. From 1.4116 and N690 cobalt to Swedish stainless steel and VG-10, there are many options to choose from, each with its own unique combination of sharpness, durability, and resistance to rust and corrosion.