Knife And Outdoors Magazine
An overview of various metals used in blade manufacturing.
As a knife enthusiast and an aspiring knife maker, I’ve always wondered what the best knife steel is. Do I go for something high-end like the CTS-XHP, or is it better to go with something that’s more widely used, like the 1095? As it turns out, you can’t choose one type to rule them all….
When you’re new to knife making, the number of tools and components that go into the process can be overwhelming. Even if you’ve been reading on knife making for a while, it’s hard to apply this knowledge practically if you have no previous experience, and you’ll likely find yourself looking for help. And that’s why…
Similar to other carbon steel products, carbon steel knives are prone to rust. And even if your knife is made of stainless steel, rust can still form if you don’t take proper care of it. Luckily, rust on your carbon steel knives isn’t necessarily a death sentence; you can still remove rust off the blades…
AISI M2 steel or just M2 steel is a steel gaining popularity steadily. This high-alloy steel is quickly gaining traction because of how versatile it is. Many call M2 high-speed steel. M2 is high-alloy steel as well, fortified with high amounts of vanadium and molybdenum. We’re going to take you through all of the vital…
When it comes to the world of folding knives, there are countless styles and brands to choose from. The blade itself is no exception. It’s one of, if not the most important choice to consider when picking a folding knife. There are many different shapes and styles, each having its advantages and disadvantages. Choosing the…
It’s rightly said that LC200N is a breakthrough in knife steel as it shatters all rules about attribute tradeoffs. Other than film build-up and fingerprinting, this super-sturdy steel does not compromise on any other attribute as such. Furthermore, it is resistant to chipping, fairly priced, can hold its edge well, and is great for humid…
K390 is a high-end premium high-alloy steel with extremely high performance. This cold work steel has high hardness and is a popular reliable choice. The K390 is also used as a Police weapon in the United States. Let’s find out how K390 is made, its chemical composition, and how it compares to other competitive steels…
80CrV2 is by no means a recent steel — even though many seem to think that 80CrV2 is a new steel, it has actually been in the market by a completely different name. 80CrV2 was known as a ‘Swedish saw steel’ since it has incredible toughness. As a high-carbon, low-alloy steel, 80CrV2 is different from…
AEB-L is an old stainless steel that old-timer knife enthusiasts have heard of for years. It’s one of the go-to options for a budget knife that’s corrosion-resistant, wear-resistant with decent hardness and toughness. It’s always a risk to opt for new knife steel since you may not know about its performance in the long run,…
CTS 204p is one of the best steels in the market for premium high-end knives. It’s earned itself the reputation as a premium knife steel thanks to its incredible wear resistance. CTS 204p steel also has exceptional corrosion resistance as well as a number of other properties. In this article, we’re going to dive deep…