Learn something

A guide to knife steels

Characteristics, properties, pros and cons of the steels you will meet when choosing a knife.

When it comes to choosing a knife, the steel in the blade deserves as much thought as the shape and the handle. Steel is an alloy of iron and carbon, usually enriched with other elements, and each recipe is tailored to bring out particular characteristics. Knife makers create the different grades by changing the additive elements and by the rolling and heat treatment the blade goes through.

The five properties that matter

Hardness is a steel's ability to resist deformation under stress. It is measured on the Rockwell C scale (HRC) and correlates directly with strength.

Toughness is a steel's capacity to resist cracking or chipping under sudden impact or heavy load. A chip is the worst thing that can happen to an edge and is hard to put right. Toughness is measured in several ways, so it is less standardised than hardness.

Wear resistance is the ability to withstand both abrasive wear, where harder particles scrape a softer surface, and adhesive wear, where debris sticks to the surface. It depends on hardness and on the steel's chemistry.

Corrosion resistance is the ability to resist rust from humidity, moisture and salt. Very high corrosion resistance can cost something in edge performance.

Edge retention is how long a blade stays sharp in use. It is the most talked-about property and the least standardised; it combines wear resistance with resistance to the edge deforming.

There is no "best" steel, because improving one property usually costs another. The crucial balance is between hardness and toughness: some blades are exceptionally hard but chip, others are very tough but will not hold a fine edge.

The three families

Carbon steel is tough and durable, takes a keen edge and is easy to sharpen, which is why it is used for survival knives and machetes. With little chromium it rusts readily. 1095 is the popular choice.

Tool steel covers the hard alloys made for cutting tools, such as D2, O1 and Crucible's CPM series (CPM 3V, for instance).

Stainless steel contains at least 13% chromium to resist corrosion and is the usual choice for everyday-carry knives. Families include the 400 series, 154CM, AUS, VG, CTS, MoV, Sandvik and Crucible's SxxV steels.

Below, twenty-five common steels are rated out of ten for edge retention, corrosion resistance and ease of sharpening, with market popularity where it is meaningful.

Ultra-premium knife steels

1. Crucible CPM S110V

Edge retention 10/10 OutstandingCorrosion resistance 6/10 GoodEase of sharpening 1/10 ChallengingMarket popularity 1/10 Low

Pros: Exceptional edge retention; High wear resistance; Relatively corrosion-resistant.

Cons: Difficult to sharpen; Limited availability; Costly.

2. Crucible CPM S90V

Edge retention 9/10 ExcellentCorrosion resistance 5/10 ModerateEase of sharpening 1/10 ChallengingMarket popularity 3/10 Moderate

Pros: Excellent edge retention; High wear resistance; Good toughness.

Cons: Challenging to sharpen; High cost; Less corrosion resistance.

3. M390

Edge retention 9/10 ExcellentCorrosion resistance 7/10 Very goodEase of sharpening 2/10 ModerateMarket popularity 8/10 High

Pros: Excellent edge retention; Very good corrosion resistance; Well-rounded performance; Available in many knives.

Cons: Moderately challenging to sharpen; Higher price.

4. Hitachi ZDP-189

Edge retention 8/10 Very goodCorrosion resistance 4/10 FairEase of sharpening 1/10 ChallengingMarket popularity 2/10 Low

Pros: Excellent edge retention; Exceptional hardness.

Cons: Extremely challenging to sharpen; Vulnerable to corrosion; Limited popularity.

5. Elmax

Edge retention 8/10 Very goodCorrosion resistance 5/10 ModerateEase of sharpening 3/10 ModerateMarket popularity 6/10 Moderate

Pros: Good edge holding; Easier to sharpen than some super steels; Balanced performance.

Cons: Moderate corrosion resistance; Moderate sharpening difficulty.

Premium knife steels

6. Crucible CPM-20CV

Edge retention 9/10 ExcellentCorrosion resistance 7/10 Very goodEase of sharpening 2/10 ModerateMarket popularity 6/10 Moderate

Pros: Impressive wear resistance; Good edge retention; High corrosion resistance.

Cons: Moderate difficulty in sharpening; Still relatively new in the market.

7. Carpenter CTS-XHP

Edge retention 8/10 Very goodCorrosion resistance 6/10 GoodEase of sharpening 5/10 ModerateMarket popularity 4/10 Moderate

Pros: Good edge retention; Reasonable corrosion resistance; Suits many applications.

Cons: Moderate difficulty in sharpening; Not as tough as some other steels.

8. Crucible CPM M4

Edge retention 9/10 ExcellentCorrosion resistance 2/10 PoorEase of sharpening 2/10 ModerateMarket popularity 2/10 Low

Pros: Exceptional toughness; Holds an edge well; Ideal for heavy-duty tasks.

Cons: Low corrosion resistance; Needs proper maintenance.

9. Crucible CPM S35VN

Edge retention 7/10 GoodCorrosion resistance 7/10 GoodEase of sharpening 5/10 ModerateMarket popularity 9/10 High

Pros: Good balance of edge retention and toughness; High stain resistance; Widely available.

Cons: Slightly lower edge retention than newer steels.

10. Crucible CPM S30V

Edge retention 7/10 GoodCorrosion resistance 7/10 GoodEase of sharpening 5/10 ModerateMarket popularity 7/10 High

Pros: Balanced performance; Excellent edge retention; Resists rust well.

Cons: Moderate sharpening difficulty; Newer steels have improved on it.

11. Carpenter 154CM

Edge retention 6/10 GoodCorrosion resistance 6/10 GoodEase of sharpening 5/10 Moderate

Pros: Solid edge retention; Good corrosion resistance; Well-rounded performance.

Cons: Faces competition from newer steels; Moderate edge retention.

12. ATS-34

Edge retention 6/10 GoodCorrosion resistance 6/10 GoodEase of sharpening 5/10 Moderate

Pros: Comparable to 154CM; Good balance of edge retention and corrosion resistance.

Cons: Faces competition from newer steels.

13. D2

Edge retention 8/10 Very goodCorrosion resistance 2/10 PoorEase of sharpening 3/10 Moderate

Pros: Hard and holds an edge well; Moderate corrosion resistance.

Cons: Challenging to sharpen; Prone to corrosion without proper care.

14. VG-10

Edge retention 6/10 GoodCorrosion resistance 7/10 Very goodEase of sharpening 6/10 Moderate

Pros: Balanced performance; Good corrosion resistance; Moderate ease of sharpening.

15. Myodo H1

Edge retention 2/10 PoorCorrosion resistance 9/10 ExcellentEase of sharpening 8/10 Very easy

Pros: Exceptional corrosion resistance; Does not rust; Very easy to sharpen.

Cons: Poor edge retention; Limited practicality for everyday carry.

16. Böhler N680

Edge retention 5/10 FairCorrosion resistance 8/10 Very goodEase of sharpening 6/10 Moderate

Pros: High corrosion resistance; Fine-grained steel; Decent edge retention.

Cons: Does not hold an edge as long as some other steels.

Upper-mid-range knife steels

17. 440C

Edge retention 4/10 FairCorrosion resistance 4/10 FairEase of sharpening 6/10 Moderate

Pros: Affordable; Reasonably tough; Decent stain resistance.

Cons: Moderate edge retention; Overtaken by newer super steels.

18. Aichi AUS-8

Edge retention 3/10 PoorCorrosion resistance 4/10 FairEase of sharpening 8/10 Easy

Pros: Budget-friendly; Easy to sharpen; Good corrosion resistance.

Cons: Limited edge retention; Falls short of premium performance.

19. Carpenter CTS-BD1

Edge retention 4/10 FairCorrosion resistance 6/10 GoodEase of sharpening 6/10 Moderate

Pros: Suits many applications; Reasonable edge retention; Good corrosion resistance.

Cons: Moderate sharpening effort; Not as tough as some other steels.

20. Ahonest 8Cr13MoV

Edge retention 3/10 PoorCorrosion resistance 5/10 FairEase of sharpening 8/10 Easy

Pros: Excellent value for money; Easy to sharpen; Decent corrosion resistance.

Cons: Limited edge retention; Not ideal for heavy-duty tasks.

21. Sandvik 14C28N

Edge retention 4/10 FairCorrosion resistance 6/10 GoodEase of sharpening 6/10 Moderate

Pros: Impressive budget steel; Can take a very sharp edge; Good corrosion resistance.

Cons: Moderate edge retention; Best suited to affordable knives.

Lower-mid-range knife steels

22. 440A

Edge retention 3/10 PoorCorrosion resistance 5/10 FairEase of sharpening 9/10 Very easy

Pros: Easy to sharpen; Affordable.

Cons: Poor edge retention; Limited corrosion resistance; Best for budget blades.

23. Latrobe 420HC

Edge retention 3/10 PoorCorrosion resistance 8/10 Very goodEase of sharpening 9/10 Very easy

Pros: Excellent corrosion resistance; Easy to sharpen; Ideal for budget knives and multi-tools.

Cons: Low edge retention; Limited to less demanding tasks.

24. Sandvik 13C26

Edge retention 3/10 PoorCorrosion resistance 4/10 FairEase of sharpening 7/10 Easy

Pros: Easy to sharpen; Budget-friendly; Moderate corrosion resistance.

Cons: Limited edge retention; Competes with other budget steels.

25. 1095 (generic)

Edge retention 3/10 PoorCorrosion resistance 2/10 Very poorEase of sharpening 8/10 Very easy

Pros: Tough and resistant to chipping; Easy to sharpen; Inexpensive.

Cons: Very low corrosion resistance; Needs proper maintenance.

Conclusion

Choosing the right steel is a balancing act between what you need and what you are prepared to look after. Whether you value edge retention, corrosion resistance, easy sharpening or all-round performance, there is a steel that fits. Consider the tasks, the environment and how you will maintain the knife, and you will find the right one.

Every knife we sell comes with the type of steel it is made from stated plainly. If we do not know the steel, or cannot confirm it, we do not sell the knife.

The ratings are a practical guide drawn from published data sheets and experience, not laboratory measurements; two knives in the same steel can behave differently depending on heat treatment and geometry. See our terms.