When it comes to choosing steel for knife making, there are many options available. Some are better than others depending on the application and desired properties.
Hardness is a key quality to consider. Generally, harder steels will hold an edge better and are easier to sharpen. However, they can also be brittle and break if not cared for.
Crucible
Crucible Steel is a type of alloy knife steel that has been used for centuries. It is a popular choice for many manufacturers, and it offers a combination of hardness, corrosion resistance, toughness and edge holding that makes it a good choice for a wide range of applications.
Crucible steel can be purchased online or at your local bladesmith shop. It is generally available in several grades, including 440C, 154CM and CPM-S45VN (see below).
SB Specialty Metals
SB Specialty Metals, formerly a division of Crucible Materials Corporation, is one of the best places to buy steel for knife making. They offer both conventional and powder metal tool steels as well as high speed, cold work and stainless steels.
They also have a very large inventory of tool steel and they are very quick to quote prices and provide great service. They have been around for a while and have a lot of experience in the industry.
They recently signed an agreement with Carpenter Powder Products, a division of Carpenter Technology Corporation and the world’s largest producer of gas atomized powders. This deal gives them exclusive North American distribution rights to their product line and allows them to provide customers with an additional cost effective option in the particle metallurgy market.
N680
There are a variety of different steels that can be used for knife making. Some are better than others and there are many factors that should be taken into consideration when choosing a steel for your next knife project.
Stainless steel is the most common type of metal for knife blades and it is a good choice because of its superior corrosion resistance. It is a relatively inexpensive material and has become increasingly popular in recent years as it is easy to sharpen and holds an edge well.
N680 is a type of stainless steel that has nitrogen added to it which improves its corrosion resistance. This makes it ideal for knives that will be used in and around salt water. Benchmade has made some great diving knives using this material so it is a good choice for those looking for a high quality knife at a budget price.
S35VN
S35VN is a high quality knife steel that’s used in many of the best knives and cutlery. It’s a very tough and durable steel that has excellent corrosion resistance and edge retention.
It’s also known for being extremely easy to sharpen and abrasion resistant. This makes it ideal for both everyday use and heavy duty work.
CPM S35VN is made using Crucible Particle Metal technology, which evenly distributes the carbides within the steel. This specialized manufacturing process leads to exceptional durability, ease of sharpening and a smooth finish.
It’s a hardened stainless steel with a Rockwell hardness rating of 58 to 61 HRC. This hardness level enables it to be extremely durable and suitable for harsh environments.
CPM-20CV
CPM-20CV is a popular knife making steel. It is a powder metallurgy tool steel that contains chromium and vanadium. These elements help improve wear resistance and strength, while niobium carbides (carbides are basically steel particles) increase edge retention.
This steel is a great option for knives that see moderate to heavy use. It is also very easy to sharpen.
The high percentage of chromium and molybdenum helps to prevent staining and corrosion from occurring on the blade. The niobium and vanadium help improve edge retention, as well. The vanadium also increases hardenability and toughness.