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Corrosion Resistance

Toughness

Edge Retention

Ease of Sharpening

Steels Found
50
SteelCorrosion ResistanceToughnessEdge RetentionEase of SharpeningKey ElementsCompare
1095
1
5
2
10
C: 1.0%
154CM
7
4
5
7
C: 1.1%
Cr: 14%
20CV
9
4
7
5
C: 1.9%
Cr: 20%
V: 4.0%
3Cr13
7
6
2
9
C: 0.3%
Cr: 13%
V: 0.04%
420
7
6
3
9
C: 0.4%
Cr: 14%
V: 0.3%
440
8
4
5
7
C: 1.0%
Cr: 18%
5160
2
9
3
8
C: 0.6%
Cr: 0.8%
52100
1
9
2
9
C: 1.0%
Cr: 1.5%
7Cr17
8
5
4
8
C: 0.7%
Cr: 17%
V: 0.1%
8Cr13MoV
7
6
3
8
C: 0.8%
Cr: 13%
V: 0.1%
9Cr18Mo
8
4
5
7
C: 1.0%
Cr: 17%
A2
3
7
3
9
C: 1.0%
Cr: 5.3%
V: 0.3%
AEB-L
7
10
3
8
C: 0.7%
Cr: 13%
AUS 6
7
6
2
9
C: 0.6%
Cr: 14%
V: 0.2%
AUS 8
7
6
3
8
C: 0.7%
Cr: 14%
V: 0.2%
CPM 10V
PM
4
5
9
3
C: 2.5%
Cr: 5.3%
V: 9.8%
CPM 15V
PM
4
3
10
1
C: 3.4%
Cr: 5.3%
V: 15%
CPM 20CV
PM
9
4
7
5
C: 1.9%
Cr: 20%
V: 4.0%
CPM 3V
PM
6
9
5
7
C: 0.8%
Cr: 7.5%
V: 2.8%
CPM 4V
PM
4
7
5
6
C: 1.4%
Cr: 5.0%
V: 3.9%
CPM 9V
PM
4
6
8
4
C: 1.8%
Cr: 5.3%
V: 9.0%
CPM CruWear
PM
6
5
8
6
C: 1.1%
Cr: 7.5%
V: 2.4%
CPM M4
PM
2
7
9
3
C: 1.4%
Cr: 4.0%
V: 4.0%
CPM MagnaCut
PM
10
7
5
6
C: 1.1%
Cr: 11%
V: 4.0%
CPM REX 45
PM
C: 1.3%
Cr: 4.0%
V: 3.0%
CPM S110V
PM
9
4
8
3
C: 2.9%
Cr: 15%
V: 9.1%
CPM S30V
PM
8
4
6
5
C: 1.4%
Cr: 14%
V: 4.0%
CPM S35VN
PM
8
5
5
6
C: 1.4%
Cr: 14%
V: 3.0%
CPM S45VN
PM
9
5
6
5
C: 1.5%
Cr: 16%
V: 3.0%
CPM S60V
PM
9
3
8
3
C: 2.1%
Cr: 17%
V: 5.5%
CPM S90V
PM
8
4
9
2
C: 2.3%
Cr: 14%
V: 9.0%
CPM SPY27
PM
8
6
5
6
C: 1.3%
Cr: 14%
V: 2.0%
CTS BD1
9
5
5
7
C: 0.9%
Cr: 16%
V: 0.1%
CTS XHP
PM
7
5
6
6
C: 1.6%
Cr: 16%
V: 0.5%
Cru-Wear
PM
6
5
8
6
C: 1.1%
Cr: 7.5%
V: 2.4%
D2
5
4
5
6
C: 1.6%
Cr: 12%
V: 0.8%
Elmax
PM
8
4
6
6
C: 1.7%
Cr: 18%
V: 3.0%
H1
10
10
1
10
C: 0.1%
Cr: 15%
H2
10
10
1
10
C: 0.09%
Cr: 14%
K390
PM
4
5
9
3
C: 2.5%
Cr: 4.2%
V: 9.0%
M-2
3
4
6
4
C: 1.0%
Cr: 4.2%
V: 1.9%
M390
PM
9
4
7
5
C: 1.9%
Cr: 20%
V: 4.0%
M398
PM
9
3
10
2
C: 2.7%
Cr: 20%
V: 7.2%
Maxamet
PM
5
2
10
1
C: 2.1%
Cr: 4.8%
V: 6.0%
N690
8
5
5
6
C: 1.1%
Cr: 17%
V: 0.1%
O1
1
5
2
9
C: 0.9%
Cr: 0.5%
V: 0.3%
Sandvik 12C27
7
8
4
9
C: 0.6%
Cr: 14%
VG 10
8
4
5
7
C: 1.0%
Cr: 15%
V: 0.2%
W1
1
5
2
9
C: 1.1%
Cr: 0.1%
V: 0.1%
W2
1
4
3
8
C: 1.2%
Cr: 0.1%
V: 0.3%
Key Insights
  • Powdered steels generally have better edge retention but can be harder to sharpen
  • Steels with high corrosion resistance often have high chromium content
  • High carbon content typically improves hardness and edge retention
  • The most balanced steels for general use tend to have moderate scores across all properties
  • Specialty steels excel in specific properties for particular applications
Resources
  • Knife Steel Comparisons
  • Knife Steels Database
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