There are several steels that are considered to be good for knife making. These include the following: 4140 steel, 5160 high carbon steel, ZDP-189, D2, and 6Cr13MoV. All of these steels are great choices for creating your next knife.
5160 high carbon steel
The steels used in the production of blades are named by four digit numbers. These numbers represent the composition of the alloy. To understand which steel you should choose, it is important to know the different characteristics of these steels.
If you want a strong, sharp edge, then you should consider buying a high carbon steel. This type of steel is suitable for knives that are used in tough environments. It also provides a high level of tensile strength. High carbon steels can contain up to 10% nickel.
However, the downside of high carbon steels is that they rust easily. You will need to take special care of them to prevent rusting. A good heat treatment is also necessary.
6Cr13MoV
If you want to make a knife, you should know what kinds of steel are suitable for the job. One of the best choices for making knives is tool steels, which are characterized by their carbon content. A number of steel alloys can be hardened to a higher degree. This is not only affordable, but it also increases the mechanical properties of the material.
Some high-carbon steels contain a range of elements, including vanadium and nickel. These alloys provide good resistance to abrasion and wear. They are also nonmagnetic. However, their toughness can be decreased if too much phosphorus is added. It can also lead to poor ductility.
D2
If you’re considering making knives, you may be wondering whether 4140 steel is a good choice. It’s an alloy that’s used in a wide variety of applications, including valves, cams, molds, jigs, and more. While it’s not the favorite of most bladesmiths, it does have some advantages, especially in terms of durability and resistance to wear. But, you’ll need to know how to heat treat it before using it for knife making.
The 4140 alloy is used for a wide variety of applications, including valves, hydraulic machinery shafts, and more. When properly heat-treated, it’s quite tough. But, it’s not a good choice for knives, because it won’t hold an edge as well as professionally-heat-treated steel.
ZDP-189
For a good knife, you need to choose the right metal. The wrong steel can dull and break your blade. You also need to choose the right tempering process. With the right steel, you will get a high-quality, hard-wearing blade that will stay sharp for a long time.
A high-carbon steel has a lot of wear resistance. These metals can contain a variety of elements, including nickel, copper, titanium, vanadium, and magnesium. Stainless steels are another type of steel that you can use for a knife. They have added alloying elements to improve corrosion resistance.
There are several common grades of carbon steel used for knives. C1045, C1090, and C1045 are typical.
CPM REX T15(HSS)
CPM REX T15(HSS) is a cobalt-bearing high speed steel that provides excellent abrasion resistance and wear resistance. It also has good impact toughness and machinability. This makes it a great choice for a variety of knife-making applications. The alloy contains high amounts of Vanadium, which improves its edge retention.
Another advantage of this steel is its high hardness. Despite its relatively low chromium content, it has a hardness that can reach 67 HRC. Depending on the heat, it can also be steam tempered or nitrided.
The tungsten content in this steel provides secondary hardness. In addition, its vanadium content provides wear resistance. Combined with the high hardness, the alloy has a relatively high volume of hard vanadium carbides, which increases its impact toughness.
O1 steel
O1 steel has a good selection of characteristics that make it a great choice for knife blades. In particular, it has a high hardness level which is critical for ensuring excellent wear impact resistance. Its hardening properties also help to keep the blade sharp for a long period of time.
O1 has low levels of chromium which leads to poor anti-corrosion properties. On the other hand, it also contains a small amount of manganese (Mn) and vanadium (V). These elements improve hardenability and wear resistance.
O1 is a great choice for knife blades because it holds an edge well and is easy to sharpen. However, you do need to keep an eye out for rust. The best way to prevent rust is to wipe your blades down with oil before storage.