Best knife steels for edc / folders
Everyday-carry pocket knives — a balance of edge retention, corrosion resistance and easy maintenance. 35 steels that fit, with the specs that matter.
| Steel | Type | HRC | Edge | Corrosion | Toughness | Tier | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 420HC | Stainless | 56-58 | low | high | high | Budget | Knives → |
| 440C | Stainless | 58-60 | medium | high | medium | Budget | Knives → |
| 8Cr13MoV | Stainless | 57-59 | medium | medium | medium | Budget | Knives → |
| 9Cr18MoV | Stainless | 58-60 | medium | high | medium | Budget | Knives → |
| AUS-8 | Stainless | 57-59 | medium | medium | high | Budget | Knives → |
| O1 | Tool & high-speed | 57-62 | medium | low | high | Budget | Knives → |
| Sandvik 14C28N | Stainless | 58-61 | medium | high | high | Budget | Knives → |
| 154CM | Stainless | 58-61 | high | high | medium | Mid | Knives → |
| ATS-34 | Stainless | 58-61 | high | high | medium | Mid | Knives → |
| AUS-10 | Stainless | 58-60 | medium | medium | medium | Mid | Knives → |
| Böhler N690 | Stainless | 58-61 | high | high | medium | Mid | Knives → |
| CPM-154 PM | Stainless | 58-61 | high | high | medium | Mid | Knives → |
| D2 | Tool & high-speed | 58-62 | high | medium | medium | Mid | Knives → |
| Nitro-V | Stainless | 58-61 | medium | high | high | Mid | Knives → |
| VG-10 | Stainless | 59-61 | high | high | medium | Mid | Knives → |
| Böhler Elmax PM | Stainless | 59-62 | high | very high | medium | Premium | Knives → |
| CPM CruWear PM | Tool & high-speed | 60-64 | high | medium | very high | Premium | Knives → |
| CPM MagnaCut PM | Stainless | 60-64 | very high | very high | very high | Premium | Knives → |
| CPM-S30V PM | Stainless | 58-61 | high | high | medium | Premium | Knives → |
| CPM-S35VN PM | Stainless | 58-61 | high | high | high | Premium | Knives → |
| CPM-S45VN PM | Stainless | 59-62 | very high | very high | medium | Premium | Knives → |
| CTS-XHP PM | Stainless | 60-64 | high | high | medium | Premium | Knives → |
| LC200N (Z-FiNit) | Stainless | 57-60 | high | extreme | high | Premium | Knives → |
| Vanadis 4 Extra PM | Tool & high-speed | 60-63 | high | low | very high | Premium | Knives → |
| Böhler K390 PM | Tool & high-speed | 62-65 | extreme | low | medium | Super / high-end | Knives → |
| Böhler M390 PM | Stainless | 60-62 | very high | very high | medium | Super / high-end | Knives → |
| Böhler Vanax PM | Stainless | 60-62 | high | extreme | high | Super / high-end | Knives → |
| CPM Maxamet PM | Tool & high-speed | 64-68 | extreme | low | low | Super / high-end | Knives → |
| CPM REX 45 PM | Tool & high-speed | 62-66 | extreme | low | medium | Super / high-end | Knives → |
| CPM-10V PM | Tool & high-speed | 60-64 | extreme | low | medium | Super / high-end | Knives → |
| CPM-20CV PM | Stainless | 59-62 | very high | very high | medium | Super / high-end | Knives → |
| CPM-S110V PM | Stainless | 60-63 | extreme | very high | low | Super / high-end | Knives → |
| CPM-S90V PM | Stainless | 59-62 | extreme | high | low | Super / high-end | Knives → |
| CTS-204P PM | Stainless | 59-62 | very high | very high | medium | Super / high-end | Knives → |
| ZDP-189 PM | Stainless | 64-67 | very high | medium | low | Super / high-end | Knives → |
Other uses: Kitchen · Outdoor / bushcraft · Hard-use / survival · Budget · best by property →