Known for its good balance of durability, sharpness, and corrosion resistance, 440 stainless steel has become a favorite among knife enthusiasts and manufacturers. 440 stainless steel is a family of alloy steels containing varying amounts of carbon, chromium, and other elements. The 440 series is typically composed of three main variants: 440A, 440B, and 440C. Each variant has slightly different compositions, resulting in varying hardness levels, corrosion resistance, and edge retention...

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The origins of 52100 steel trace back to around 1905 when it was first introduced for use in roller ball bearings. Originating from Germany and France, these early chromium alloy steels, initially known as 5295, marked a shift in the materials used for bearings. 52100 has gone by various names, such as 100cCr6, 1,3505, 14116, GCr15, and SUJ2. In 1919, it officially became known as 52100 under SAE (Society of Automotive Engineers) International designations. Despite being a lesser-known steel, it has gained prominence in the realm of...

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8Cr13MoV is often considered the Chinese counterpart to AUS-8, with a nearly identical chemical composition. The naming convention for these steels is highly descriptive. The first number, in this case, “8,” refers to the approximate carbon content, around 0.8%, which influences hardness and strength. “Cr13” indicates the chromium content at 13%, which is responsible for the steel’s stainless properties. The "Mo" refers to a small amount of molybdenum added to enhance toughness, grain refinement, and corrosion resistance. Lastly...

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AUS-8 is a stainless steel that has been a staple in the knife world for decades, offering a well-balanced combination of corrosion resistance, toughness, and ease of sharpening. Developed by Aichi Steel Corporation in Japan, AUS-8 belongs to a family of steels that also includes AUS-6 and AUS-10, each progressively increasing in carbon content and performance characteristics. AUS-8 sits in the middle, making it an ideal choice for knife users who want dependable performance without venturing into premium-priced territory. The composition of AUS-8 includes...

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Bohler M390 is celebrated in the knife industry for its superior performance attributes, making it a top choice for high-end blades. This steel is known for its remarkable wear resistance, corrosion resistance, and edge retention. These qualities stem from its unique composition, which combines several elements in specific proportions to enhance its overall properties. M390 is martensitic stainless steel, which means it has a high hardness level and offers excellent corrosion resistance...

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Böhler N690 is today one of the most recognized European stainless steels for knives, but its story reaches back to the late 1990s when Böhler-Uddeholm sought to provide a tougher, more versatile alternative to the long-established 440C. Introduced around 1998, N690 was developed as a martensitic stainless steel with balanced additions of cobalt and molybdenum. It aimed to combine dependable corrosion resistance with edge retention and ease of finishing, qualities that appealed to toolmakers and knifemakers alike. Much like...

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CPM 3V is known today as one of the toughest steels in use for knives, but its story stretches back decades before it was introduced in 1997. Designed by Crucible Industries through their particle metallurgy process, 3V was created to solve a problem toolmakers had long wrestled with: how to combine extreme toughness with useful wear resistance. Previous steels forced compromises; shock-resistant alloys like S7 could withstand punishment but dulled quickly, while wear-resistant steels like D2 held an edge but were prone to chipping...

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CPM 15V is a high-vanadium tool steel developed by Crucible Industries. It was first developed in the late 1970s as a more wear-resistant version of CPM 10V, though it did not reach the market until around 1990. Like other Crucible steels in the CPM series, it is made using particle metallurgy, which helps create a fine, even distribution of carbides throughout the steel. This allows it to incorporate unusually high levels of vanadium without the problems associated with large, irregular...

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Cru-Wear occupies a unique niche in the realm of knife steels. It boasts a reputation for achieving a near-perfect harmony between two crucial properties – toughness and wear resistance. This delicate balance makes Cru-Wear a compelling choice for blades tasked with demanding applications. Understanding Cru-Wear's effectiveness necessitates exploring its composition. Unlike some traditional steels, Cru-Wear is crafted through a process known...

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In the world of knives, the choice of blade steel is a critical factor that can significantly impact performance, durability, and overall functionality. The creation of Crucible Industries' CPM (Crucible Particle Metallurgy) technology has paved the way for a refined version of D2 tool steel, known as CPM-D2. D2 tool steel, originally invented in the early 20th century, has long been recognized for its high carbon content (1.55%) and a substantial amount of chromium (12%). While offering remarkable...

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CPM-M4 is a high-speed tool steel originally developed by Crucible Industries for demanding industrial applications such as punches, dies, and cutting tools. Produced using Crucible’s proprietary Crucible Particle Metallurgy (CPM) process, CPM-M4 exhibits a fine and uniform carbide distribution that enhances its toughness and grindability relative to traditional ingot metallurgy tool steels. Its composition includes...

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For centuries, knifemakers have tirelessly pursued the perfect blade steel, a material that offers an ideal balance of hardness, edge retention, toughness, and corrosion resistance. While numerous steel alloys have emerged throughout history, each often excels in one area at the expense of another. Enter MagnaCut, a revolutionary steel designed specifically for the knife industry, promising a near-mythical equilibrium of these crucial properties. This article delves into the history of MagnaCut...

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When knife enthusiasts discuss steels that stretch the limits of what a cutting edge can do, CPM Rex 121 is almost always part of the conversation. It is one of the most alloy-rich and abrasion-resistant steels ever produced by Crucible Industries, and although it was never designed for knives, it has earned a reputation as an extreme performer in specialized cutting tools. Understanding why requires looking at its development as an industrial steel, the unusual recipe that defines it, and the small but dedicated group of makers who work with it today...

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The inception of S30V dates back to the early 2000s. Crucible Industries, a leader in the production of high-grade steel, aimed to create a new type of steel that would meet the rigorous demands of knife users. Partnering with knife maker Chris Reeve, they embarked on developing a blade steel that could deliver exceptional performance in various conditions. S30V is a martensitic stainless steel, characterized by its hardness and...

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The story of CTS XHP begins in the 1990s when metallurgists at Carpenter Technology were looking to achieve what seemed like a balancing act: they wanted the supreme hardness found in tool steels like D2, yet also the stainless characteristics of steels like 440C. Back in 1994, a patent was granted for a steel called 440XH, the brainchild of Paul Novotny, Thomas McCaffrey, and Raymond Hemphill. Their experiments aimed to raise hardness beyond what 440C...

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D2 steel got its start in the early part of the 20th century as part of a group of high-carbon, high-chromium cold-work tool steels. These steels were designed for industrial tooling like stamping dies, punches, and shear blades. In those environments, the goal was simple: build something that could keep cutting or shaping metal day after day without wearing out or changing shape. D2’s formula hit the sweet spot for this kind of work, offering high hardness...

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The development of MagnaMax marks another major milestone in modern knife steel history, continuing the influence of metallurgist Dr. Larrin Thomas on the cutlery world. Thomas, who gained widespread recognition for creating CPM MagnaCut, introduced MagnaMax in 2025 as part of his ongoing research into optimizing stainless steels for real-world knife use. Whereas MagnaCut revolutionized the balance of toughness, corrosion resistance, and wear resistance, MagnaMax was conceived to push further in...

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Nitro-V is a stainless steel specifically engineered for knife makers, first introduced in 2017 by New Jersey Steel Baron (NJSB), a steel distributor known for catering to the cutlery industry. Nitro-V is a modified version of AEB-L, a stainless steel that was originally developed by Uddeholm for use in razor blades. AEB-L gained popularity among custom knife makers due to its ultra-fine grain structure, ease of sharpening...

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Sandvik 14C28N is a high-performance stainless steel designed specifically for use in knife blades, offering a well-balanced mix of hardness, corrosion resistance, and edge retention. Manufactured by Sandvik Materials Technology in Sweden, this steel was developed as an improvement over Sandvik’s earlier 13C26, incorporating additional elements and refining the properties to better meet the needs...

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AEB-L is a stainless steel that has quietly earned a strong reputation among knife makers and enthusiasts. Originally developed in Sweden by Uddeholm in the mid-20th century, it was designed not for knives, but for razor blades. It may seem strange that a steel forged for shaving would go on to become a staple in custom and production knives, but once its full potential was realized, AEB-L quickly carved out its place in the modern blade...

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Emerging in 2006, Vanax35 and Vanax75 served as early iterations, showcasing the immense potential of nitrogen-based steels with their unparalleled corrosion resistance. However, their focus remained firmly on industrial environments. 2017 marked a pivotal moment, with the unveiling of Vanax Super Clean (also known as Vanax 37) at the Blade Show. This marked a strategic shift for Böhler-Uddeholm...

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VG-10 is a stainless steel that has become a popular choice for knife blades, particularly in the cutlery industry. Originally developed in Japan by Takefu Special Steel Co., VG-10 was designed to meet the demanding performance needs of chefs and knife makers. The designation “VG” stands for “V Gold,” indicating its high quality, and the steel was intended from the outset to combine corrosion resistance, edge retention, and...

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ZDP-189 is one of the most famous Japanese “super steels,” created by Hitachi Metals during a period when the knife industry was pushing the limits of stainless steel. It is unusual right from the start, with a chemistry that combines extremely high carbon at about 3 percent and chromium at 20 percent, far above the norm for most cutlery steels. These two elements alone define most of its character, but its full composition also includes 1.4 percent molybdenum, 0.6 percent tungsten, 0.1 percent vanadium...

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The story of Böhler-Uddeholm begins long before the two companies ever joined forces. In fact, their separate origins span centuries and reflect the metallurgical traditions of two European regions renowned for their steelmaking heritage: Austria and Sweden. In Austria, Böhler’s roots can be traced to the town of Kapfenberg, where iron production was documented as early as 1446. The modern history of the company, however, begins in 1870, when Emil and Albert Böhler established a steel trading firm in Vienna. Initially, they imported tool steels from Germany for distribution throughout...

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Crucible Industries has a long and complex history that began in the 18th century. Its roots trace back to Sheffield, England, where the Sanderson Brothers were manufacturing crucible steel as early as 1776. The crucible process involved melting steel in small batches using clay or graphite pots at very high temperatures. Though time-consuming and labor-intensive, this method allowed for greater purity and consistency in the steel, which was especially valuable for tools, dies, and cutting instruments. In 1876, the Sanderson Brothers brought their...

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Damasteel AB, established in 1995, is a Swedish company known for producing high-performance patterned steel through a unique powder metallurgy process. The company originated from a partnership between Per Billgren, an Erasteel employee, and master blacksmith Kaj Embretsen, who sought to develop a modern alternative to traditional Damascus steel. Their collaboration resulted in a proprietary method for creating stainless patterned steel with exceptional durability and aesthetic appeal, revolutionizing the steel...

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Erasteel’s history begins long before the company took its modern form. Its earliest origins can be traced to European steelmaking centers that eventually merged their operations. In Sweden, the Söderfors forge began producing iron in 1676 and continued doing so for generations. Other Swedish works at Vikmanshyttan, Langshyttan, and Österbybruk grew through the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. In France, steel production expanded throughout the nineteenth century at Commentry and Champagnole. These facilities operated independently for decades, but their production methods...

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In the intricate world of blades and knives, Damascus steel often emerges as a subject shrouded in mystery and allure. Known for its distinctive patterns, resilience, and historical significance, Damascus steel continues to intrigue both enthusiasts and skeptics alike. With myths and facts intertwined, understanding the true essence and capabilities of Damascus steel is crucial for appreciating its modern applications and dispelling the misconceptions surrounding it. One prevailing myth suggests that today's Damascus steel is fundamentally different...

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