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HIGH PERFORMANCE STEEL FOR KNIVES

Bohler-Udeholm USA stocks and sells both stainless and tool steel hand knife blade steels manufactured in Europe by Bohler and Uddeholm. Bohler-Uddeholm offers five grades of stainless knife steel: BOHLER M390 MICROCLEAN, UDDEHOLM ELMAX SUPERCLEAN and UDDEHOLM VANAX are powder metallurgical steel.  BOHLER N690 and BOHLER N680 are conventionally produced steel.  All are made using our unique cross-rolling technology, which provides an exceptional homogeneous sheet.  All are stocked in Kent, Washington.

  Courtesy of Kershaw Knives

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Courtesy of Benchmade Company
BOHLER M390 MICROCLEAN
Third generation powder metal technology.  Developed for knife blades requiring good corrosion resistance and very high hardness for excellent wear resistance.  Chromium, molybdenum, vanadium, and tungsten are added for excellent sharpness and edge retention.  Can be polished to an extremely high finish. Hardens and tempers to 60-62 HRC.

BOHLER N690
Our best conventional knife steel. Great value in a corrosion resistant knife steel with excellent edge holding capabilities. Additions of chromium and vanadium enhance edge holding capability, while cobalt and carbon help to retain high hardness. Hardens and tempers to 57-59 HRC and 60-62 HRC with deep freeze. For maximum toughness, harden and temper to 57-59 HRC. For maximum wear resistance, harden and temper to 60-62 HRC.
| Article from Tactical-Life.com
BOHLER N680
A conventional corrosion resistant steel with added chromium, molybdenum, and nitrogen for corrosion and pitting resistance, especially in salt water. Fine structure with a very good sharpness, edge retention, and grindability. Will accept a fine polish. Hardens and tempers to 56-58 HRC.

UDDEHOLM ELMAX
Third generation powder metal technology. Noted for its fine carbide distribution with extremely low inclusion content for virtually no chip-out. An excellent balance between corrosion resistance and edge retention. Can be polished to an extremely high finish. Hardens and tempers to 57-59 HRC and 60-62 HRC with deep freeze. For maximum toughness, harden and temper to 57-59 HRC. For maximum wear resistance, harden and temper to 60-62 HRC.

NEW! Hand knives made of Elmax and Sleipner get attention: Read more... 

 

UDDEHOLM VANAX
Third Generation powder metal technology. Virtually all Carbon is replaced with Nitrogen, the result is extremely high corrosion resistance comparable to 300 series Stainless. Excellent in salt water. Toughness and edge retention like ELMAX. Hardens and tempers to 57-59 HRC.

TOOL STEEL FOR KNIVES
Third Generation Powder Metal and Conventional Tool Steels for Knife Blades

BOHLER K294 MICROCLEAN(A11)
A 10% Vanadium, 2.45% Carbon Third Generation powder metal tool steel with extremely high edge retention. Harden and temper to 63-64 HRC. Difficult to grind and sharpen, but the choice for the best edge retention.

BOHLER K390 MICROCLEAN
Third Generation powder metal tool steel designed as an upgrade over A11. Vanadium reduced to 9% but Tungsten and Cobalt added. Edge retention comparable to A11, but greatly improved toughness. Harden and temper to 64-65 HRC. The best overall tool steel performance for knife blades.

UDDEHOLM VANADIS 4 EXTRA
Third Generation powder metal tool steel with excellent toughness. Harden and temper to 64-65 HRC for better edge retention, but still retaining a toughness level that exceeds powder metal M4. Best for high impact use.

BOHLER K110(D2)
D2 produced with Bohler's cross-rolling tchnology that produces a fine, uniform grained steel. The best D2 available for hand knifes.

FLAT GROUND STOCK
Full range of A2, D2, O1, and S7 in knife sized bars.

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