The best way to find out if a knife is made of steel is to look at the materials it is made from. There are a number of different types of steel, ranging from Carbon steel to VG-Max and XHP. It can be difficult to tell which steel is which, however.
Carbon steel
The carbon steel knife is a good choice for a knife, particularly if you like your knives to be tough. You’ll be rewarded with better edge retention and cutting performance than your stainless steel counterparts.
However, you should still take the time to properly care for your carbon steel knife. If you are able to keep it clean and dry, you should be able to enjoy it for many years to come.
Like your other knives, carbon steel knives need to be cleaned after every use to keep them in prime condition. To avoid discoloration, you should also oil the blades after each use. This should be done in the same way you would if you were cleaning your stainless steel knives.
Carbon steel is composed of a small amount of chromium. Chromium assists in corrosion protection. In addition, the presence of chromium carbides means that the sheet maintains a sharp edge.
Another benefit of carbon steel is its resistance to rust. However, if you live in a humid or rainy area, this may be an issue.
German knife steel
German knives are more sturdy, tougher and more durable than Japanese knives. They are also easier to use and better for cutting meat and vegetables. However, when comparing them, you should consider the balance of their properties, such as sharpness and corrosion resistance. Those qualities are different, and German knives require more frequent sharpening.
German blades are thicker, whereas Japanese ones are thinner. The thickness is a result of full-tang construction, which continues throughout the handle and collar. This makes German knives stronger and more ergonomic, which is especially important when using a knife for chopping or cutting bones.
German knives are usually made from softer steel than Japanese versions. German knife handles are often constructed with synthetic materials to reduce weight. X50CrMoV15 is the most common type of German steel. It is also softer than other Japanese steels, which means it is less brittle and requires less maintenance.
ATS 55 steel is becoming more popular, particularly amongst knife makers. This steel is low carbon and is rust-resistant. It is not as hard as other types of steel, but it is slightly harder than ATS-34 and AUS-10.
VG-MAX
If you’re in the market for a new knife, you might want to consider choosing a VG-Max steel. This is a Japanese steel that’s widely regarded as the best of the lot. It has a good blend of toughness and durability, as well as a high degree of corrosion resistance.
In addition to being resistant to rust, VG-Max stainless steel also has excellent stain-resistant properties. Whether you’re using your knife in a wet environment or in the tropics, it will stand up to moisture.
Another advantage of VG-Max stainless steel is the way it maintains its sharpness. When compared to other steels, it’s relatively easy to maintain and resharpen. The hardness of the material is about 61 HRC, which makes it fairly tough.
Another characteristic of VG-Max is its machining properties. It is relatively easy to grind and sharpen, and it will retain its edge for a long time.
VG-MAX steel is manufactured by Shun Cutlery, which holds the rights to the material. Unlike other types of steel, the company added a higher amount of chromium to its steel to improve its durability and performance.
XHP
It’s not always easy to figure out what kind of knife steel you’re using. The two most popular types are CTS XHP and S30V. These are high quality, air hardening steels that have a great edge retention and corrosion resistance.
Whether you’re looking for a custom knife or a cheap EDC knife, XHP is a good choice. It has a good balance of toughness and wear resistance, and it’s not very difficult to sharpen. You’ll still need to use an advanced sharpening system if you want to get the best edge from your blade.
Carpenter is a major producer of many different kinds of steel. They created their own line of alloys targeted specifically at the knife making industry. Known as CTS, this line of alloys includes 14 different alloys. Each of these alloys uses a proprietary powder metallurgy process called Micro-Melt.
Carpenter commissioned leading knife designers to test the new CTS family of steels. They wanted to see if they could produce a steel that would outperform familiar alloys.