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8Cr13MoV knife steel

8Cr13MoV is a stainless knife steel, typically hardened to HRC 57-59.

TypeStainless
HardnessHRC 57-59
Edge retentionmediumhigher than 5 of 48, tied with 13
Corrosion resistancemediumhigher than 15 of 48, tied with 6
Toughnessmediumhigher than 4 of 48, tied with 20
Ease of sharpeningeasy to sharpeneasier to sharpen than 35 of 48, tied with 13
Price tierBudget
Best forEDC / foldersBudget

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Knives in 8Cr13MoV

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

Compared with

8Cr13MoV vs D2

Similar stainless steels

SteelTypeHRCEdgeCorrosionToughnessTierBuy
1.4116 (X50CrMoV15)Stainless54-57lowhighhighBudgetKnives →
420HCStainless56-58lowhighhighBudgetKnives →
440AStainless55-58lowhighmediumBudgetKnives →
440CStainless58-60mediumhighmediumBudgetKnives →
9Cr18MoVStainless58-60mediumhighmediumBudgetKnives →
AUS-8Stainless57-59mediummediumhighBudgetKnives →

All stainless steels · every steel · best for a purpose