Knife Steel Terms
Edge Retention
PerformanceEdge retention refers to how long a knife maintains its sharpness during use. It is influenced by the steel's hardness, wear resistance, and ability to resist deformation.
Key Factors
- • Hardness of the steel
- • Wear resistance
- • Carbide formation and distribution
- +1 more factors
Toughness
PerformanceToughness is the steel's ability to resist chipping, cracking, or breaking under impact or stress. It's crucial for knives that experience heavy use or impact.
Key Factors
- • Grain structure
- • Carbon content
- • Alloy composition
- +1 more factors
Corrosion Resistance
DurabilityCorrosion resistance is the steel's ability to resist rust and oxidation when exposed to moisture and other corrosive elements.
Key Factors
- • Chromium content
- • Other alloying elements
- • Surface finish
- +1 more factors
Hardness
Physical PropertyHardness measures a steel's resistance to deformation and wear. It's typically measured on the Rockwell C scale and affects both edge retention and toughness.
Key Factors
- • Carbon content
- • Alloying elements
- • Heat treatment process
- +1 more factors
Wear Resistance
DurabilityWear resistance is the steel's ability to resist abrasion and maintain its surface integrity under friction and mechanical stress.
Key Factors
- • Carbide content
- • Carbide type and distribution
- • Hardness
- +1 more factors
Sharpness
PerformanceSharpness is the ability of a knife to achieve and maintain a fine edge. It depends on the steel's ability to take and hold a thin edge.
Key Factors
- • Grain structure
- • Carbide size and distribution
- • Hardness
- +3 more factors
Easy to Sharpen
MaintenanceEasy to Sharpen refers to how quickly and easily a knife can be restored to a sharp edge. It's influenced by the steel's composition and heat treatment.
Key Factors
- • Steel hardness
- • Carbide content
- • Grain structure
- +3 more factors