Featured Knife Steel – Edgy Stuff Recoil Staff October 17, 2016 Join the Conversation At RECOIL, we review every product fairly and without bias. Making a purchase through one of our links may earn us a small commission, and helps support independent gun reviews. Learn More Find out more about how we test products. In fiction and movies we have the luxury of knowing the value and quality of a metal by virtue of a cool name and a backstory. There's adamant, adamantite, adamantium, adamantine, duranium, Nth metal, galvorn, the Rearden Metal, transformium, and of course one of the very first to impress — mithril. In real life, however, it's not so easy to discern what metal is best for what knife or tool purpose. That's largely because every intended use demands its own specific alloy. For instance, some implements must be extraordinarily sharp, but are not required to withstand abuse; others will be used in environments where corrosion is a threat to tool longevity. Knife steel is generally categorized in five categories; hardness, toughness, wear resistance, corrosion resistance, and edge retention. There are different kinds of steels, each with varying abilities to meet those five “qualifications”. The most common (for the lay user, anyway) are tool steel, carbon steel, and stainless steel. Each has relative strengths and weaknesses in comparison to the others. OFFGRIDweb recently ran a piece on this very topic, citing an excellent article from Pocket Knife Today. You can read that right here to learn more. Another term frequently used when talking knives and tools is Rockwell Harness. The Rockwell Hardness Scale is used to describe not the composition of the knife steel, but, well, its hardness, using the formula “HRC” — which isn't to say composition is not important. It is, though perhaps not as important (relatively speaking) as the heat treatment of a blade. Generally speaking, a higher number indicates a greater hardness, but a lower toughness. It will result in superior edge retention to a lower number, but will be more likely to suffer damage or even fail under abuse. A lower number will indicate less edge retention, but a greater ability to withstand punishment. The optimal HRC number then is somewhere in the middle, and will vary depending upon the intended use. In simplest terms, a surgeon's scalpel requires a different HRC rating than a lumberjack's saw. For more information, and to check out Knife Art's comparison of steels ranging from 420 to ZDP-189 (sorry, no adamantium), go read this article right here. Be sure to also check out this knife steel composition chart. Why you can trust RECOIL Since our founding in 2012, RECOIL remains the premier firearms lifestyle publication for the modern shooting enthusiast. We deliver cutting-edge coverage of guns, gear, accessories and technology. We go beyond basic reviews, providing no B.S. buyer’s guides, hands-on testing and expert analysis on everything from firearms and survival equipment to watches and vehicles. Our reviewers are the backbone of our operation and come from diverse shooting backgrounds: Former law enforcement, military veterans, competitive shooters, seasoned hunters and plain old firearms enthusiasts. Furthermore, we’re not just gun experts, but dedicated journalists who adhere to the strictest standards of our profession. At RECOIL, editorial independence is the foundation of everything we publish and the cornerstone of reader trust. Our editors, writers and content creators make all editorial decisions independently, free from outside influence. That boils down to: advertisers don’t dictate our coverage, the outcomes of our reviews or what we recommend in our buyer’s guides. First and always, our commitment is to our audience—ensuring every review and article is accurate, unbiased, and driven by real-world experience. Whether you’re selecting your next firearm, upgrading your gear, or exploring the latest innovations in the shooting world, RECOIL provides the trusted insights you need to make informed decisions. Learn more about our Editorial Standards and how we review products. NEXT STEP: Download Your Free Target Pack from RECOILFor years, RECOIL magazine has treated its readers to a full-size (sometimes full color!) shooting target tucked into each big issue. Now we've compiled over 50 of our most popular targets into this one digital PDF download. From handgun drills to AR-15 practice, these 50+ targets have you covered. Print off as many as you like (ammo not included). Get your pack of 50 Print-at-Home targets when you subscribe to the RECOIL email newsletter. We'll send you weekly updates on guns, gear, industry news, and special offers from leading manufacturers - your guide to the firearms lifestyle.You want this. Trust Us.
