Is alloy steel good for knife making?- Jiangyin Xinyu Forging Co., Ltd

■ Alloy Steel Knives: The Choice of Experts

Content

1 1️⃣ Alloy steel is the "special forces" of the knife world.
2 2️⃣ Comparison of Mainstream Alloy Steel Knife Materials
3 3️⃣ Three Major Advantages of Alloy Steel Knives
4 4️⃣ Shortcomings to Note
5 5️⃣ What knives are worth using alloy steel for?

1️⃣ Alloy steel is the "special forces" of the knife world.

Comprehensive performance: By adding elements such as chromium, molybdenum, and vanadium, it achieves:
▶️ High hardness (HRC 58-62) → Sharp and long-lasting blade
▶️ Balanced toughness → Resistant to chipping and breaking during chopping
▶️ Enhanced rust resistance → Chromium content ≥13% makes it stainless steel

2️⃣ Comparison of Mainstream Alloy Steel Knife Materials

Alloy Steel	Key Properties	Typical Knife Types	Why It Works
440C	Corrosion Resistance King + Easy Sharpening	Dive knives, Chef's knives	Holds decent edge, won't rust in water/salt environments - ideal for marine use
D2	Extreme Wear Resistance (1.5% Carbon)	Industrial cutters, Tactical fixed blades	Carbides in steel laugh at abrasive materials (cardboard, rope, plastics)
M390	Wear+Corrosion Dual Champ	Premium EDC folders	Holds razor edge through months of daily use, resists pocket sweat corrosion
1095	Toughness Master + Field-Repairable	Survival knives, Bushcraft blades	Takes brutal impacts (batoning wood), easy to sharpen on a rock in wilderness

3️⃣ Three Major Advantages of Alloy Steel Knives

Double the sharpness lifespan: High carbon content + alloy elements make the blade's wear resistance far superior to ordinary carbon steel.
Chip-resistant and durable: Vanadium refines the grain structure, so the blade only slightly bends under impact without shattering (e.g., S30V steel).
Easy maintenance: Stainless steel alloys (such as VG-10) only require daily wiping to prevent rust, suitable for humid environments.

4️⃣ Shortcomings to Note

High processing requirements:
High-hardness alloy steel (such as D2) requires professional belt grinders for sharpening; hand files are ineffective.
The heat treatment process is complex, difficult for home workshops to control (a 10℃ temperature deviation can render it unusable).
Large price difference:
440C kitchen knife ≈ 100 yuan, M390 tactical knife ≈ 2000 yuan (20 times the material cost difference).

5️⃣ What knives are worth using alloy steel for?

Essential for professional fields:
Chef's knives (VG-10 maintains sharpness)
Survival knives (S30V is drop-resistant and wear-resistant)
Surgical knives (420J2 is rust-proof and non-toxic)
Ordinary users should choose carefully:
Disposable knives, decorative knives → Ordinary carbon steel is more economical