Knife Blade Types of Steel - 4 Tips to Choose the Best

Blade Fabrication Types

Depending on what your needs are, the knife blade types of steel used in the fabrication process is going to be a key point to consider. The blades used in most knives are forged from:

9Cr18MoV 67-layer Damascus steel
S35VN
N690
D2, and
Sandvik 14C28N

Each of these blade types are very specific and will ultimately influence your decision on which EDC pocket knife you will choose.

Consider also:

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Chemical Composition Key Specifications

Knowing the knife blade types of steel, specifically the chemical composition and key specifications of the steel used in a blade, can be important for a number of reasons, especially for outdoor survival knives:

Tip 1 – Durability
- Different types of steel have different levels of wear resistance, toughness, and ability to hold a sharp edge. Knowing the chemical composition of the steel can help you understand its performance characteristics and whether it is suitable for heavy use or outdoor conditions.
Tip 2 – Corrosion resistance
- Some steels are more resistant to corrosion than others. If you will be using your survival knife in wet or acidic environments, it is important to choose a blade that is made of a corrosion-resistant steel.
Tip 3 – Maintenance
- Some steels are easier to sharpen and maintain than others. If you will be using your survival knife frequently and may not have access to sharpening equipment, it is important to choose a blade that is easy to maintain.
Tip 4 – Weight
- Different types of steel can have different densities, which can affect the weight of the blade. If you will be carrying your survival knife for long periods of time, it is important to consider the weight of the blade and choose one that is suitable for your needs.

Overall, knowing the chemical composition and key specifications of the steel used in a blade can help you understand its performance characteristics and choose a blade that is suitable for your needs and intended use.

What is a S35VN Blade?

S35VN is on of the preferred knife blade types of steel which is commonly used in knife blades. It is a stainless steel that contains a high amount of vanadium and niobium, which gives it a high level of wear resistance and toughness.

It is known for its good edge retention and is generally considered to be able to hold a sharp edge for a longer period of time than some other types of steel. It is also resistant to corrosion due to its high chromium content.

S35VN steel is often used in high-end knives and other edged tools because of its performance and durability. It is a good choice for people who want a blade that can withstand heavy use and hold a sharp edge for a long time.

However, it is generally more expensive than some other knife blade types of steel due to the additional processing steps involved in creating it and may require more maintenance to keep it sharp.

Why Choose a S35VN Blade?

There are several reasons why someone might choose a S35VN blade:

Tip 1 – Edge retention
- S35VN steel is known for its good edge retention and is generally considered to be able to hold a sharp edge for a longer period of time than some other knife blade types of steel. This makes it a good choice for people who don’t want to have to sharpen their blade frequently.
Tip 2 – Wear resistance
- S35VN steel has a high level of wear resistance, making it a good choice for a blade that will be used for heavy cutting tasks.
Tip 3 – Corrosion resistance
- S35VN steel is resistant to corrosion due to its high chromium content, making it a good choice for a blade that may come into contact with acidic or moist substances.
Tip 4 – Durability
- S35VN steel is a high-quality steel that is known for its durability and ability to withstand heavy use.

It’s worth noting that S35VN steel is generally more expensive than some other knife blade types of steel due to the additional processing steps involved in creating it.

It may also require more maintenance to keep it sharp. However, many people find that the benefits of using a S35VN blade outweigh the extra cost and maintenance.

What is a N690 Blade?

N690 is considered to be the go to of the knife blade types of steel that which is widely used by many manufacturers of knife blades. It is a stainless steel that is known for its good edge retention and corrosion resistance.

It is made up of carbon, chromium, molybdenum, and vanadium, which gives it a high level of wear resistance and toughness. It is often used in high-quality knives and other edged tools because of its performance and durability.

One of the main advantages of N690 steel is its good edge retention, which means it can hold a sharp edge for a longer period of time than some other knife blade types of steel. It is also resistant to corrosion, making it a good choice for a blade that may come into contact with acidic or moist substances.

N690 steel is generally considered to be a good all-around steel that is suitable for a wide range of cutting tasks.

In general, N690 steel is a good choice for people who want a blade with good edge retention and corrosion resistance that can withstand heavy use. It is often used in high-end knives and other edged tools because of its performance and durability.

Why Choose a N690 Blade?

There are several reasons why someone might choose a N690 blade:

Tip 1 – Edge retention
- N690 steel is known for its good edge retention and is able to hold a sharp edge for a longer period of time than some other knife blade types of steel. This makes it a good choice for people who don’t want to have to sharpen their blade frequently.
Tip 2 – Corrosion resistance
- N690 steel is resistant to corrosion, making it a good choice for a blade that may come into contact with acidic or moist substances.
Tip 3 – Durability
- N690 steel is a high-quality steel that is known for its durability and ability to withstand heavy use.
Tip 4 – Versatility
- N690 steel is a good all-around steel that is suitable for a wide range of cutting tasks.

What is a D2 Blade?

D2 is a type of steel that is commonly used in knife blades. It is known for its durability and edge retention, making it a popular choice for knives that are used for heavy cutting or chopping tasks.

D2 steel is a high-carbon, high-chromium tool steel that contains a relatively high amount of tungsten and vanadium, which gives it a high level of wear resistance and toughness. It is also resistant to corrosion, making it a good choice for outdoor use.

In general, knives made with D2 steel are known for their long-lasting sharp edges and ability to hold up to heavy use. However, D2 steel can be difficult to sharpen, so it may require more maintenance than some other knife blade types of steel.

Why Choose a D2 Blade?

There are several reasons why someone might choose a knife with a D2 blade:

Tip 1 – Durability
- D2 steel is known for its durability and ability to withstand heavy use. This makes it a good choice for knives that will be used for tough cutting tasks or for outdoor use.
Tip 2 – Edge retention
- D2 steel is also known for its ability to hold a sharp edge for a long time. This makes it a good choice for people who want a knife that doesn’t need to be sharpened frequently.
Tip 3 – Corrosion resistance
- D2 steel is resistant to corrosion, making it a good choice for outdoor use or for knives that may come into contact with acidic or moist substances.
Tip 4 – Wear resistance
- D2 steel is resistant to wear and tear, making it a good choice for knives that will be used for heavy cutting tasks.

It’s worth noting that D2 steel is harder to sharpen than some other knife blade types of steel, so it may require more maintenance. However, many people find that the benefits of using a D2 blade outweigh the extra sharpening effort.

What is 9Cr18MoV 67-layer Damascus Steel?

9Cr18MoV 67-layer Damascus steel is a type of steel that is made by layering multiple sheets of steel and forge welding them together. The resulting material has a distinctive pattern on its surface that resembles the flowing lines of Damascus steel.

It is a type of stainless steel that is known for its good edge retention and corrosion resistance. It is made up of 9% chromium, 18% molybdenum, and vanadium.

The process of making Damascus steel involves forge welding multiple layers of steel together and then forging, folding, and manipulating the steel to create a distinctive pattern on the surface.

Why Choose a 9Cr18MoV 67-layer Damascus Steel Blade?

There are several reasons why someone might choose a 9Cr18MoV 67-layer Damascus steel blade:

Tip 1 – Durability
- 9Cr18MoV is a high-quality stainless steel that is known for its good edge retention and wear resistance. This makes it a good choice for a blade that will be used for heavy cutting tasks or for outdoor use.
Tip 2 – Corrosion resistance
- 9Cr18MoV is also resistant to corrosion, making it a good choice for a blade that may come into contact with acidic or moist substances.
Tip 3 – Aesthetics
- The distinctive pattern on the surface of Damascus steel is highly prized by many knife enthusiasts for its unique and attractive appearance.
Tip 4 – Strong and tough
- The process of forge welding and manipulating multiple layers of steel to create Damascus steel results in a blade that is strong and tough, able to withstand heavy use.

It’s worth noting that 9Cr18MoV 67-layer Damascus steel blades may be more expensive than some other types of blades due to the time and effort involved in creating them. They may also require more maintenance, as they can be more difficult to sharpen than some other knife blade types of steel.

However, many people find that the benefits of using a 9Cr18MoV 67-layer Damascus steel blade outweigh the extra cost and maintenance.

Whether you are looking for an EDC pocket knife, a custom multi tool, or a general outdoor survival knife, understanding more about the knife blade types of steel will help you get the most out of your purchase.

Blade Fabrication Types