High-quality knife steels are the decisive material for every professional knife. The type of steel determines the sharpness, durability, rust resistance and sharpenability of the blade. Special stainless steel for knives is used primarily in kitchen knives, outdoor knives and hunting knives. Choosing the right knife steel determines how long a knife stays sharp and how easy it is to care for.
What is knife steel? - Definition and meaning
Production of knife steels and stainless steel for sharp blades
Stainless steel is particularly pure and contains at least 10.5% chromium, which makes it corrosion-resistant and therefore rustproof – a must for kitchen knives and outdoor knives.
Stainless steel knives: Advantages of high-quality knife steels
Modern stainless steel knives impress with a combination of:
- Rust resistance
- Long edge retention
- Easy care
- Good sharpenability
Popular knife steels include:
- VG-10 stainless steel (Japan): Very edge-holding and stainless
- X50CrMoV15: Common knife steel for kitchen knives in Europe
- 14C28N (Sandvik): Stainless, tough, with good cutting performance.
- S30V / S90V (CPM): High-performance steel for premium knives
Recognize the most important properties of knife steellärt
1. Hardness – How long does a knife stay sharp?
The hardness of a knife steel is measured in Rockwell hardness (HRC).
It determines how edge-holding and wear-resistant a knife is.
- 56-59 HRC: Good everyday hardness (e.g. X50CrMoV15)
- 60-62 HRC: High edge retention (e.g. VG-10)
- >62 HRC: Extremely hard but brittle (e.g. ZDP-189, S90V)
The harder the steel, the longer the knife stays sharp – but it also becomes harder to sharpen and can break if used improperly.
2. Toughness – break resistance and robustness
Toughness describes how resistant a knife is to impacts and stresses without breaking.
- Particularly important for outdoor knives, hunting knives and survival blades
- Tougher steels are usually somewhat softer, but significantly more robust
Typical tough steels: AUS-8, 5160, 12C27
The best knife steel combines hardness with sufficient toughness – the result is a stable, durable knife.
Korrosionsbeständigkeit und Schleifbarkeit
3. Corrosion resistance – rust-free thanks to chrome
Corrosion resistance is crucial for knives that come into contact with water, acids or salt (e.g. kitchen knives or fishing knives).
- Stainless steels contain ≥10.5 % chromium
- Additives such as molybdenum increase resistance to aggressive influences
Stainless steel knives are particularly easy to clean – ideal for the kitchen and everyday use.
4. sharpenability – How easy is it to resharpen a knife?
Grindability is the ability to resharpen a knife easily and precisely. The harder the steel, the more effort is required for sharpening.
- Soft steels: Easy to sharpen, lose their sharpness more quickly
- Hard steels: Very good edge retention, but difficult to resharpen (e.g. S90V, M390)
For professionals and amateurs alike, medium hardness grades (56-59 HRC) are recommended – these are easy to sharpen and offer solid and balanced performance in all areas.
Comparison: Which knife steel is the best?
| Knife steel | HRC | Cutting durability | Toughness | Rust resistance | Grindability | Use | ||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| X50CrMoV15 | ~56 | Medium | High | Very good | Good | Kitchen knife | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| VG-10 | 60–61 | High | Medium | High | Good |
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Conclusion: Which knife steel is the right one?
The choice of the best knife steel depends on the intended use:
- For kitchen knives: Stainless steels such as VG-10, X50CrMoV15 or 14C28N are ideal.
- For outdoor knives: Tough and robust steels such as AUS-8 or carbon steel 5160
- For collectors and professionals: high-performance steels such as CPM-S30V, ZDP-189 or M390 offer extreme performance, but require more care.
A high-quality stainless steel blade with a balanced degree of hardness (58-60 HRC), good toughness and rust protection is the best choice for most users – durable, sharp and easy to clean.
