With the advent of a global economy, there have been more affordable and accessible options than ever before. A new type of Chinese steel called 8Cr13MoV steel is gaining popularity in the knife industry.
Since it is a newer type of steel, certain reservations come along with it. Steel is more popular because of how affordable and accessible it is for manufacturing.
Let’s find out how good it is!
Contents
8Cr13MoV Composition
The first step to understanding whether the steel is good enough for your knives is to understand its composition. A steel knife needs to be hard, resistant, and long-wearing. The right combination of chemicals has all of these characteristics and is easy to manufacture knives with.
Carbon
The main chemical responsible for the hardness in steel knives is carbon. Too much carbon is also not a good thing; it can make the manufacturing process much harder and ineffective. Excessive amounts of carbon decrease the strength of the steel.
At its most optimum level, carbon improves the hardness and keeps the steel wear-resistant. The amount of carbon in 8Cr13MoV steel is 0.8%, which is high enough to induce the knife’s right amount of hardness.
Chromium
Chromium is also an important element when it comes to strength, corrosion resistance, and wear resistance. It is also what makes stainless steel so stainless! The Chromium in the steel can increase edge retention and tensile strength, sure signs of a good knife.
This particular type of steel has 14.5% of Chromium. The higher the amount of Chromium, the less likely it is to rust over!
Molybdenum
Molybdenum improves machinability and strength. This is also the ingredient that allows the steel knife to maintain its strength at such high temperatures. This steel has 0.3% of Molybdenum.
Nickel
Nickel is what allows the strength to remain tough. 8Cr13MoV steel has 0.2% of Nickel.
Manganese
Manganese improves hardness and brittleness in a knife. This steel has 1% Manganese.
Silicon
The 1% of Silicon in the 8Cr13MoV steel improves the strength of the steel.
Phosphorus
0.04% of Phosphorus in the steel increases strength.
Sulfur
0.04% of Sulfur leads to increased machinability.
Vanadium
0.25% of Vanadium improves wear resistance and hardenability in the steel.
The combination of carbon, manganese, and Silicon means that steel is hard, strong, wear-resistant, and corrosion-resistant. More importantly, the increased amount of Chromium in the steel effectively makes it stainless steel.
8Cr13MoV Features
After the composition, the features of the steel are of extreme importance. Taking its chemical composition into account, these are the features it has.
Edge Retention
The Chromium in the steel doesn’t just make it stainless but also increases the edge retention. Keeping the steel price in mind offers edge retention that can be compared to mid-range steel.
Corrosion Resistance
The Chromium in the steel makes it stainless steel. Stainless steel is known for its corrosion resistance!
Wear Resistance
The mixture of Chromium and Vanadium in the steel give 8Cr13MoV steel great wear resistance.
Sharpness
When used as a knife, this steel is very easy to sharpen.
Welding
The high carbon and chromium content in the steel makes it difficult to weld.
Toughness
It isn’t the toughest steel out there, but 8Cr13MoV steel has good toughness for its price. It has a decent toughness, but for its price, it’s good.
What’s 8Cr13MoV steel like for knives?
It is low budget steel that offers great hardness, resistance, and strength. Despite the slight difficulty in welding the steel and the maintenance it will require, 8Cr133MoV is good budget steel for kitchen and hunting knives alike.
8Cr13MoV Alternatives
No steel is unique. In saying this, every knife user and producer has their preferences regarding the kind of steel they use. When looking at alternatives for 8Cr13MoV steel, you need to find something as good for a similar price.
The option here would be the Japanese AUS 8. Both types of steel have a similar chemical composition and price range. They’re both great for their price range, providing quality that you might not find in other types of steel.
The AUS 8, however, has slightly better edge retention and corrosion resistance. They are of the same hardness. So, while the differences aren’t too obvious, you might find yourself with a preference for one over the other.
Another alternative could be 8Cr14MoV steel. Technically they are extremely similar, practically the same steel. They have the same performance as well!
Both types of steel have the same edge retention, corrosion resistance, wear resistance, ease of sharpness, and toughness. If you’re looking for a perfect alternative, this is your best alternative.
Conclusion
8Cr13MoV steel is a cheaper alternative to most types of steel in the global market. It is being used more often for the production of knives of all kinds. While it is cheap, it isn’t bad! It is reliable and strong steel that you can use with little stress!