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CTS-XHP knife steel

CTS-XHP is a powder-metallurgy (PM) stainless knife steel, typically hardened to HRC 60-64.

TypeStainless · powder metallurgy
HardnessHRC 60-64
Edge retentionhighhigher than 19 of 48, tied with 17
Corrosion resistancehighhigher than 22 of 48, tied with 16
Toughnessmediumhigher than 4 of 48, tied with 20
Ease of sharpeninghard to sharpenamong the hardest to sharpen of 49
Price tierPremium
Best forEDC / folders

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Knives in CTS-XHP

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

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