KnifeSteelDBknife steels, by spec

Böhler K390 knife steel

Böhler K390 is a powder-metallurgy (PM) tool & high-speed knife steel, typically hardened to HRC 62-65.

TypeTool & high-speed · powder metallurgy
HardnessHRC 62-65
Edge retentionextreme
Corrosion resistancelow
Toughnessmedium
Ease of sharpeninghard
Price tierSuper / high-end
Best forEDC / foldersHard-use / survival

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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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