KnifeSteelDBknife steels, by spec

1095 knife steel

1095 is a carbon / low-alloy knife steel, typically hardened to HRC 56-58.

TypeCarbon / low-alloy
HardnessHRC 56-58
Edge retentionmedium
Corrosion resistancelow
Toughnesshigh
Ease of sharpeningeasy
Price tierBudget
Best forOutdoor / bushcraftHard-use / survivalBudget

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Last verified 2026-06-11 · properties are documented consensus tiers; real performance depends on heat treat & geometry (methodology)

Compared with

1095 vs 1084

Similar carbon / low-alloy steels

SteelTypeHRCEdgeCorrosionToughnessTierBuy
1075Carbon / low-alloy56-58lowlowvery highBudgetKnives →
1084Carbon / low-alloy58-60mediumlowhighBudgetKnives →
5160Carbon / low-alloy57-60mediumlowvery highBudgetKnives →
80CrV2Carbon / low-alloy58-60mediumlowvery highBudgetKnives →
52100Carbon / low-alloy60-64highlowhighMidKnives →
W2Carbon / low-alloy58-62mediumlowhighMidKnives →

All carbon / low-alloy steels · every steel · best for a purpose