103 steels used in modern and traditional blades. Use the sliders to filter by minimum property level, or filter by intended use.
Click any steel name for full details.
Ratings are banded 1–5 (Low to Very High), not exact figures, compiled from established metallurgical literature including Knife Steel Nerds. Toughness and edge retention are opposing properties in virtually every steel — there is no steel that rates "Very High" on both.
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Filter by intended use
Show steels suited for:
103 of 103 steels shown
Steel
Use
Hardness
Edge Retention
Toughness
Corrosion Resistance
Sharpening
1095Carbon
Both
56–60 HRC
Below Average
Average
Low
56–60 HRC
Below Average
Average
Low
A simple high-carbon steel with no significant alloying beyond carbon and manganese. Cheap, easy to forge and sharpen, and a longtime favourite for bushcraft and fixed blades. Needs oiling to prevent rust and won't hold an edge as long as alloyed steels.
1084Carbon
Both
56–60 HRC
Below Average
High
Low
56–60 HRC
Below Average
High
Low
A slightly leaner carbon steel than 1095, prized by bladesmiths for even hardening and forgiving heat treatment. Common in hand-forged Damascus billets. Toughness edges out 1095 with a small trade in wear resistance.
W2Carbon
Knife
60–64 HRC
Average
Average
Low
60–64 HRC
Average
Average
Low
A water-hardening tool steel that can be given a hamon (visible hardening line) through differential heat treatment, making it popular with custom makers chasing a traditional Japanese look. Similar performance envelope to 1095.
O1Tool
Knife
58–61 HRC
Average
High
Low
58–61 HRC
Average
High
Low
An oil-hardening tool steel with small chromium and tungsten additions for fine grain and easier heat treatment than water-hardening steels. A traditional choice for woodworking tools and forged fixed blades.
5160Low-alloy
Both
57–60 HRC
Below Average
Very High
Low
57–60 HRC
Below Average
Very High
Low
A spring steel with a long history in swordmaking and large camp knives thanks to exceptional toughness at usable hardness. Edge retention is modest, but it shrugs off the kind of impact that would chip a harder steel.
52100Low-alloy
Both
60–64 HRC
Average
High
Low
60–64 HRC
Average
High
Low
A high-carbon bearing steel with enough chromium for fine carbide structure but not stainless levels of resistance. A benchmark general-purpose forging steel with a strong balance of edge holding and toughness.
80CrV2Low-alloy
Both
58–61 HRC
Average
High
Low
58–61 HRC
Average
High
Low
A chromium-vanadium spring steel similar in role to 5160 with slightly finer grain from the vanadium addition. Popular with production fixed-blade makers for its consistent, forgiving heat treatment.
D2Tool
Knife
58–62 HRC
High
Below Average
Average
58–62 HRC
High
Below Average
Average
A high-carbon, high-chromium tool steel often mislabelled 'semi-stainless' — it has enough chromium to resist light staining but not enough left in solution after carbide formation for true stainless performance. Strong wear resistance, average toughness.
A2Tool
Knife
57–62 HRC
Average
High
Below Average
57–62 HRC
Average
High
Below Average
An air-hardening tool steel that reduces warping risk during heat treatment compared to oil- or water-hardening steels. Sits between D2 and the low-alloy steels for edge retention and toughness.
CPM-3VPM Tool
Knife
58–62 HRC
Average
Very High
Below Average
58–62 HRC
Average
Very High
Below Average
A powder-metallurgy tool steel built specifically for toughness, widely used in hard-use and survival fixed blades that need to take abuse without chipping. Corrosion resistance is limited — plan on maintenance.
CPM-4VPM Tool
Knife
60–63 HRC
High
High
Below Average
60–63 HRC
High
High
Below Average
Sits above 3V in wear resistance while retaining strong toughness, one of the more balanced non-stainless powder steels available.
CPM-CruWearPM Tool
Knife
61–64 HRC
High
High
Below Average
61–64 HRC
High
High
Below Average
A powder-metallurgy steel with a genuinely strong balance of edge retention and toughness — frequently cited as one of the best all-round non-stainless options on the market.
CPM-M4PM Tool
Knife
62–65 HRC
Very High
Average
Below Average
62–65 HRC
Very High
Average
Below Average
A high-speed tool steel adapted for knives, with molybdenum and vanadium carbides giving excellent edge retention. Less tough than CruWear or 4V, and needs oiling to manage corrosion.
K390PM Tool
Knife
61–65 HRC
Very High
Below Average
Below Average
61–65 HRC
Very High
Below Average
Below Average
An extremely high-vanadium powder steel developed for demanding industrial tooling, repurposed for premium knives chasing maximum wear resistance.
Vanadis 4EPM Tool
Knife
60–63 HRC
High
High
Below Average
60–63 HRC
High
High
Below Average
A Swedish powder-metallurgy steel with a well-regarded balance of properties, often compared favourably to CruWear.
CPM-10VPM Tool
Knife
60–64 HRC
Very High
Below Average
Below Average
60–64 HRC
Very High
Below Average
Below Average
One of the higher-vanadium powder steels available, built almost entirely around maximum abrasion resistance.
REX121PM Tool
Knife
64–67 HRC
Very High
Low
Below Average
64–67 HRC
Very High
Low
Below Average
An extremely high-vanadium powder tool steel from Crucible, among the highest edge-retention steels made for knives. Very brittle at knife thinness and genuinely difficult to sharpen without diamond or CBN stones — a specialist choice, not an everyday one.
MaxametPM Tool
Knife
65–68 HRC
Very High
Low
Below Average
65–68 HRC
Very High
Low
Below Average
A tungsten-cobalt powder steel from Carpenter reaching some of the highest hardness figures used in production knives. Extreme edge retention comes at the cost of toughness low enough that chipping on hard use is a real risk.
CPM-15VPM Tool
Knife
60–62 HRC
Very High
Average
Below Average
60–62 HRC
Very High
Average
Below Average
A newer Crucible powder steel positioned as a tougher alternative to CPM-10V at a similar edge-retention level — one of the few steels in this extreme-wear-resistance tier with genuinely usable toughness for a working knife.
ZDP-189Stainless (PM)
Knife
64–67 HRC
Very High
Low
Average
64–67 HRC
Very High
Low
Average
A Hitachi ultra-high-carbon powder stainless steel with some of the highest edge retention of any stainless steel made. Very low toughness and hard to sharpen — despite high total chromium, much of it is locked in carbides, so corrosion resistance is only moderate rather than exceptional.
Vanadis 8PM Tool
Knife
61–64 HRC
Very High
Below Average
Below Average
61–64 HRC
Very High
Below Average
Below Average
A very high vanadium-carbide powder steel from the same family as 10V.
AEB-LStainless
Knife
60–64 HRC
Below Average
Very High
High
60–64 HRC
Below Average
Very High
High
A Swedish stainless steel with a fine, even carbide structure that gives it toughness well above what its modest alloy content would suggest.
14C28NStainless
Knife
58–62 HRC
Below Average
Very High
High
58–62 HRC
Below Average
Very High
High
A Sandvik stainless steel with a small nitrogen addition for extra corrosion resistance over AEB-L.
N690Stainless
Knife
58–61 HRC
Average
Average
High
58–61 HRC
Average
Average
High
An Austrian stainless steel with cobalt added for fine grain structure, popular in European folders and hunting knives.
VG-10Stainless
Knife
60–61 HRC
Average
Average
High
60–61 HRC
Average
Average
High
A Japanese stainless steel widely used in kitchen cutlery and folders, often clad in softer stainless layers.
154CMStainless
Knife
58–61 HRC
Average
Average
Average
58–61 HRC
Average
Average
Average
An American stainless steel with a long track record in production knives.
CPM-154Stainless
Knife
59–61 HRC
Average
High
Average
59–61 HRC
Average
High
Average
The powder-metallurgy version of 154CM, with a finer carbide structure that improves toughness.
440CStainless
Both
56–60 HRC
Below Average
Average
High
56–60 HRC
Below Average
Average
High
An older American stainless steel, once the high end of production cutlery before powder-metallurgy steels arrived.
AUS-8Stainless
Knife
57–59 HRC
Below Average
High
High
57–59 HRC
Below Average
High
High
A Japanese budget stainless steel common in mass-market folders and outdoor knives.
8Cr13MoVStainless
Knife
57–59 HRC
Below Average
High
High
57–59 HRC
Below Average
High
High
A Chinese stainless steel that dominates the budget knife market worldwide.
3Cr13Stainless
Knife
52–55 HRC
Low
Average
High
52–55 HRC
Low
Average
High
A low-carbon Chinese stainless steel found in the cheapest production knives, decorative pieces and kitchenware. Very soft by knife-steel standards, so it dulls quickly, but easy to resharpen and quite corrosion resistant.
5Cr15MoVStainless
Knife
55–57 HRC
Below Average
Average
High
55–57 HRC
Below Average
Average
High
A step up from 3Cr13, roughly comparable in role to 440A. Used by Spyderco's budget Byrd line among others — modest edge retention but dependable toughness and corrosion resistance for the price point.
6Cr13MoVStainless
Knife
56–58 HRC
Below Average
Average
High
56–58 HRC
Below Average
Average
High
A common budget Chinese stainless sitting just below 8Cr13MoV in the same family. Tough and easy to sharpen, with corrosion resistance well suited to everyday outdoor knocks rather than demanding edge-holding tasks.
7Cr17MoVStainless
Knife
57–59 HRC
Below Average
Average
Very High
57–59 HRC
Below Average
Average
Very High
Higher chromium content (around 17%) than the lower-numbered Chinese steels in this family, giving noticeably better corrosion resistance at a similar edge-retention level. A sensible pick for damp or coastal carry on a budget.
9Cr18MoVStainless
Knife
58–60 HRC
Average
Average
High
58–60 HRC
Average
Average
High
An upper-tier Chinese stainless roughly in the same performance class as 440C or AUS-10, with meaningfully better edge retention than 8Cr13MoV while keeping the same easy sharpening and good corrosion resistance.
10Cr15CoMoVStainless
Knife
60–61 HRC
Average
High
High
60–61 HRC
Average
High
High
A modern cobalt-added Chinese stainless used by brands like CJRB and CIVIVI as a step above their standard steels, targeting a balance closer to VG-10 or CPM-154 — a genuine mid-tier option rather than a budget filler.
12C27Stainless
Knife
57–59 HRC
Below Average
High
High
57–59 HRC
Below Average
High
High
A Swedish Sandvik stainless steel used across budget-to-midrange knives.
CTS-XHPStainless
Knife
60–62 HRC
Average
Average
Average
60–62 HRC
Average
Average
Average
An American high-carbide stainless steel positioned between 154CM and the premium powder steels.
ElmaxStainless
Knife
58–61 HRC
Average
Average
Average
58–61 HRC
Average
Average
Average
A Swedish powder-metallurgy stainless steel that became a benchmark 'premium' option through the 2010s.
CPM-S35VNStainless
Knife
58–61 HRC
Average
High
Average
58–61 HRC
Average
High
Average
An American powder stainless steel with niobium carbide added over its S30V predecessor.
CPM-S45VNStainless
Knife
58–61 HRC
High
Average
High
58–61 HRC
High
Average
High
A refinement of the S30V/S35VN family with more chromium and vanadium for improved corrosion resistance and edge retention.
CPM-S90VStainless
Knife
58–61 HRC
Very High
Average
Average
58–61 HRC
Very High
Average
Average
A high-vanadium powder stainless steel that became a favourite premium option for its high edge retention.
CPM-S110VStainless
Knife
59–61 HRC
Very High
Below Average
High
59–61 HRC
Very High
Below Average
High
Sits above S90V in both edge retention and corrosion resistance, at a further cost to toughness.
CPM-MagnaCutStainless
Knife
60–64 HRC
High
High
High
60–64 HRC
High
High
High
Designed specifically to eliminate the chromium-carbide trade-off that limits most stainless steels, giving a genuinely rare combination of high toughness, strong edge retention and real corrosion resistance in one steel.
VanaxStainless
Knife
58–60 HRC
Average
Average
Very High
58–60 HRC
Average
Average
Very High
A nitrogen-based powder stainless steel built for extreme corrosion resistance, capable of shrugging off saltwater exposure.
LC200NStainless
Knife
58–60 HRC
Below Average
High
Very High
58–60 HRC
Below Average
High
Very High
A nitrogen-alloyed stainless steel with saltwater-grade corrosion resistance, popular for dive knives.
Nitro-VStainless
Knife
58–61 HRC
Below Average
Very High
High
58–61 HRC
Below Average
Very High
High
A stainless steel developed specifically for high toughness at a budget-to-midrange price point.
RWL-34Stainless
Knife
59–61 HRC
Average
High
Average
59–61 HRC
Average
High
Average
A Swedish powder-metallurgy stainless steel closely related to CPM-154, common in higher-end European folders.
DamasteelStainless (PM Damascus)
Both
58–61 HRC
Average
Average
Average
58–61 HRC
Average
Average
Average
A Swedish powder-metallurgy pattern-welded stainless steel, combining two PM stainless alloys to produce a genuine mechanical Damascus pattern.
Wootz / DamascusTraditional
Sword
50–60 HRC
Below Average
Average
Below Average
50–60 HRC
Below Average
Average
Below Average
Historic crucible and pattern-welded steels associated with early sword-making traditions. Performance varies enormously depending on the specific alloys folded together.
TamahaganeTraditional
Sword
55–60 HRC
Below Average
Average
Low
55–60 HRC
Below Average
Average
Low
Traditional Japanese steel smelted from iron sand in a tatara furnace, historically used in katana production.
CPM 20CVStainless (PM)
Knife
60–64 HRC
Above Average
Average
Above Average
60–64 HRC
Above Average
Average
Above Average
Crucible's identical American counterpart to M390; excellent all-around balance of edge retention and corrosion resistance.
CTS-204PStainless (PM)
Knife
60–62 HRC
Above Average
Average
Above Average
60–62 HRC
Above Average
Average
Above Average
Carpenter's PM stainless equivalent to M390/20CV, popular in premium production folders.
AUS-10Stainless
Knife
58–61 HRC
Average
Average
Above Average
58–61 HRC
Average
Average
Above Average
Upgraded Japanese alternative to 440C and VG-10 with added carbon for better wear resistance.
420HCStainless
Knife
56–58 HRC
Below Average
Above Average
Above Average
56–58 HRC
Below Average
Above Average
Above Average
Buck Knives' signature heat-treated stainless; tough and easy to sharpen, a mass-production mainstay.
CTS-BD1NStainless
Knife
58–61 HRC
Average
Average
Above Average
58–61 HRC
Average
Average
Above Average
Nitrogen-enriched version of BD1 with improved corrosion resistance; common in mid-range lightweight folders.
H1Stainless
Knife
57–59 HRC
Below Average
Above Average
Very High
57–59 HRC
Below Average
Above Average
Very High
Nitrogen-hardened, fully rust-proof steel for saltwater work; being phased out in favor of LC200N.
AR-RPM9Stainless (PM)
Knife
59–61 HRC
Average
Average
Above Average
59–61 HRC
Average
Average
Above Average
Artisan Cutlery's proprietary budget PM stainless with a good edge-retention-to-cost ratio.
440AStainless
Knife
54–56 HRC
Low
Average
Above Average
54–56 HRC
Low
Average
Above Average
Budget stainless common in older pocket knives; softer and less wear-resistant than 440C.
White Paper Steel No. 2Traditional
Knife
62–64 HRC
Above Average
Average
Low
62–64 HRC
Above Average
Average
Low
Massively popular pure-carbon steel in traditional Japanese high-end kitchen knives; takes a superb edge, needs upkeep.
Blue Paper Steel No. 2Traditional
Knife
63–65 HRC
Above Average
Above Average
Low
63–65 HRC
Above Average
Above Average
Low
Tungsten/chromium-added carbon steel prized in Japanese kitchen cutlery for edge life and toughness.
White Paper Steel No. 1Traditional
Knife
63–65 HRC
Very High
Below Average
Low
63–65 HRC
Very High
Below Average
Low
Ultra-pure carbon steel capable of taking an extremely fine, hard edge; minimal alloying, demanding to forge.
Blue Paper Steel No. 1Traditional
Knife
63–66 HRC
Very High
Average
Low
63–66 HRC
Very High
Average
Low
Upgraded alloy over White No. 1 with improved edge life from added tungsten and chromium.
Blue Paper SuperTraditional
Knife
64–66 HRC
Very High
Average
Low
64–66 HRC
Very High
Average
Low
Highest tier of the Paper-steel series; prized by Japanese kitchen knife makers for exceptional edge longevity.
SG2 / R2Stainless (PM)
Knife
62–64 HRC
Very High
Average
Average
62–64 HRC
Very High
Average
Average
Premium Japanese PM stainless powder steel; a high-end kitchen-cutlery favorite for edge retention.
Rex 45PM Tool
Knife
63–66 HRC
Above Average
Average
Below Average
63–66 HRC
Above Average
Average
Below Average
High-speed tool steel used in specialized sprint runs; wear resistance close to M4 with slightly less toughness.
1075 CarbonCarbon
Sword
50–55 HRC
Below Average
Very High
Low
50–55 HRC
Below Average
Very High
Low
Highly popular budget carbon steel for machetes, swords, and historical replicas; very tough, easy to sharpen.
CTS-BD1Stainless
Knife
58–60 HRC
Average
Average
Average
58–60 HRC
Average
Average
Average
Standard Carpenter stainless; the precursor to the nitrogen-enriched BD1N.
420J2Stainless
Knife
52–55 HRC
Low
Average
Very High
52–55 HRC
Low
Average
Very High
Soft, highly rust-resistant stainless used as liner material or in ultra-cheap dive knives.
Aus-6Stainless
Knife
55–57 HRC
Low
Average
Above Average
55–57 HRC
Low
Average
Above Average
Older budget Japanese stainless standard, mostly phased out but still lingering in legacy products.
CruForgeVLow-alloy
Sword
57–60 HRC
Below Average
Very High
Low
57–60 HRC
Below Average
Very High
Low
Chromium-vanadium forging steel loved by traditional blacksmiths for its balance of toughness and forgeability.
8670Low-alloy
Both
57–60 HRC
Average
Above Average
Low
57–60 HRC
Average
Above Average
Low
Tough alloy steel popular for large saw blades and heavy-duty custom chopping tools.
Gin-1 (Gingami No. 1)Stainless
Knife
56–58 HRC
Below Average
Average
Above Average
56–58 HRC
Below Average
Average
Above Average
Historic Japanese stainless; one of the first commercially successful stainless steels used in cutlery.
ApexUltraStainless (PM)
Knife
62–64 HRC
Very High
Above Average
Above Average
62–64 HRC
Very High
Above Average
Above Average
A newer, highly engineered PM steel popular with custom kitchen knife makers for its balance of properties.
M398Stainless (PM)
Knife
62–65 HRC
Very High
Below Average
Above Average
62–65 HRC
Very High
Below Average
Above Average
An even higher-wear evolution of M390, seen in low-volume premium folders.
N680Stainless
Knife
56–58 HRC
Below Average
Above Average
Very High
56–58 HRC
Below Average
Above Average
Very High
Highly corrosion-resistant Böhler stainless used primarily in marine and safety rescue tools.
1055 CarbonCarbon
Both
50–54 HRC
Low
Very High
Low
50–54 HRC
Low
Very High
Low
Medium-carbon steel popular for high-impact throwing knives and axes.
X50CrMoV15Stainless
Knife
56–58 HRC
Below Average
Average
Above Average
56–58 HRC
Below Average
Average
Above Average
The standard German stainless steel used by Wusthof and Zwilling kitchen knives.
Z-MaxPM Tool
Knife
62–64 HRC
Very High
Below Average
Below Average
62–64 HRC
Very High
Below Average
Below Average
Extreme wear-resistance high-speed powder steel used in rare custom sprint runs.
CPM 125VPM Tool
Knife
63–65 HRC
Very High
Low
Below Average
63–65 HRC
Very High
Low
Below Average
Legendary for edge holding, but exceptionally rare due to difficulty in grinding.
1.4116Stainless
Knife
55–57 HRC
Below Average
Average
Above Average
55–57 HRC
Below Average
Average
Above Average
Classic Swiss Army Knife steel; highly reliable, easy to sharpen, and rust-resistant.
VascowearTool
Knife
58–61 HRC
Average
Above Average
Low
58–61 HRC
Average
Above Average
Low
A historic high-wear tool steel; the precursor to modern CruWear.
N695Stainless
Both
56–59 HRC
Below Average
Average
Above Average
56–59 HRC
Below Average
Average
Above Average
Boehler's version of 440C stainless steel, widely used in European-made cutlery.
SGPS (Powder Gold)Stainless (PM Damascus)
Knife
61–63 HRC
Above Average
Average
Average
61–63 HRC
Above Average
Average
Average
Fallkniven's signature premium Japanese laminate-core powder steel.
CoRYXStainless (PM)
Knife
62–64 HRC
Very High
Average
Above Average
62–64 HRC
Very High
Average
Above Average
A specialized, emerging non-cobalt rustproof alloy engineered for high wear resistance without cobalt.
SRS13Stainless (PM)
Knife
62–64 HRC
Above Average
Average
Average
62–64 HRC
Above Average
Average
Average
High-performance Japanese PM tool steel used in premium kitchen blades.
HAP40PM Tool
Knife
64–66 HRC
Very High
Below Average
Below Average
64–66 HRC
Very High
Below Average
Below Average
High-speed tool steel popular in highly regarded Japanese limited-production kitchen and folder runs.
Z-WearPM Tool
Knife
60–63 HRC
Above Average
Above Average
Below Average
60–63 HRC
Above Average
Above Average
Below Average
German PM tool steel very similar to CruWear; popular with custom mid-tech builders.
SLD (Hitachi)Tool
Knife
58–61 HRC
Above Average
Average
Below Average
58–61 HRC
Above Average
Average
Below Average
Tool steel similar to D2, favored in Japanese hybrid-traditional blade construction.
W1 Tool SteelCarbon
Knife
58–62 HRC
Average
Average
Low
58–62 HRC
Average
Average
Low
Water-hardening carbon steel popular for clean, vivid hamon lines in forged blades.
SleipnerTool
Both
59–61 HRC
Above Average
Above Average
Below Average
59–61 HRC
Above Average
Above Average
Below Average
Upgraded alternative to D2 with better toughness; popular in European fixed blades.
CalodieTool
Knife
60–62 HRC
Above Average
Very High
Below Average
60–62 HRC
Above Average
Very High
Below Average
Heavy-duty tool steel built specifically for extreme impact resistance.
CTS-XHP-PDStainless (PM)
Knife
60–62 HRC
Average
Average
Average
60–62 HRC
Average
Average
Average
Powder metallurgy variant of the CTS tool-steel line, refined for a finer carbide structure.
M2 High Speed SteelTool
Knife
62–65 HRC
Above Average
Below Average
Low
62–65 HRC
Above Average
Below Average
Low
Legacy industrial high-speed tool steel, mostly replaced by CPM-M4 but still found in vintage tools.
L6Tool
Both
58–61 HRC
Average
Very High
Low
58–61 HRC
Average
Very High
Low
Tough low-alloy tool steel often used in custom saw blades and swords.
S7 Tool SteelTool
Both
56–58 HRC
Below Average
Very High
Low
56–58 HRC
Below Average
Very High
Low
Shock-resistant steel used for heavy concrete breakers and extreme chopping competition blades.
1060 CarbonCarbon
Sword
50–55 HRC
Below Average
Very High
Low
50–55 HRC
Below Average
Very High
Low
Well-balanced carbon steel common in historical swords and budget machetes.
SK5Carbon
Knife
58–60 HRC
Average
Average
Low
58–60 HRC
Average
Average
Low
Japanese budget high-carbon steel equivalent to 1080; popular in Cold Steel utility blades.
1.2562Tool
Knife
58–60 HRC
Average
Average
Low
58–60 HRC
Average
Average
Low
Low-alloy German tool steel with high tungsten content; a custom kitchen-knife niche choice.
Silver Steel (1.2210)Carbon
Knife
59–61 HRC
Average
Average
Low
59–61 HRC
Average
Average
Low
European carbon tool steel used in high-end straight razors for its fine, hard edge.
14C28N-LStainless
Knife
57–60 HRC
Below Average
Above Average
Above Average
57–60 HRC
Below Average
Above Average
Above Average
Laminated variation of the standard budget Sandvik 14C28N line.
V-Toku 2Traditional
Knife
61–63 HRC
Above Average
Average
Low
61–63 HRC
Above Average
Average
Low
Alloyed carbon steel clad in stainless, popular in Japanese multi-layer folding-knife sprints.
9260Low-alloy
Sword
55–59 HRC
Below Average
Very High
Low
55–59 HRC
Below Average
Very High
Low
A silicon-manganese spring steel used in some production and reproduction swords for its very high toughness.