당신은 주제를 찾고 있습니까 “n690 vs 440c – THE BEST KNIFE STEEL: M390, D2, AUS8, N690, VG10, S30V, S35VN, 440C“? 다음 카테고리의 웹사이트 https://chewathai27.com/you 에서 귀하의 모든 질문에 답변해 드립니다: https://chewathai27.com/you/blog. 바로 아래에서 답을 찾을 수 있습니다. 작성자 Daggerr EDC knives 이(가) 작성한 기사에는 조회수 3,770회 및 좋아요 93개 개의 좋아요가 있습니다.
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n690 vs 440c 주제에 대한 동영상 보기
여기에서 이 주제에 대한 비디오를 시청하십시오. 주의 깊게 살펴보고 읽고 있는 내용에 대한 피드백을 제공하세요!
d여기에서 THE BEST KNIFE STEEL: M390, D2, AUS8, N690, VG10, S30V, S35VN, 440C – n690 vs 440c 주제에 대한 세부정보를 참조하세요
What is the best steel for a knife? What is more convenient to sharpen? Why is Dagger using D2? We will answer all these questions in today’s video!
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n690 vs 440c 주제에 대한 자세한 내용은 여기를 참조하세요.
440c and n690 co the same steel? – BladeForums.com
N690 is not the same as 440C. The compositions are different. The performance is different. In my se-by-se comparisons cutting manila rope …
Source: www.bladeforums.com
Date Published: 9/6/2021
View: 1606
What is N690 steel? – knife Insight
The main thing here is that the N690 is simply better. The 440c is perhaps just as tough and as easy to sharpen as the N690.
Source: knifeinsight.com
Date Published: 12/18/2021
View: 9187
information on various knife steels – JN handmade knives
N690 is sometimes compared to 440C steel. Many knife makers however do not believe that 440C is the best steel for comparison to N690. N690 is a much better …
Source: www.jn-handmade-knives.com
Date Published: 2/22/2022
View: 4376
Is N690 Steel good for knives? N690 Steel Review – Knifebasics
N690 vs 440C. Bohler N690 and 440C steel alloy compositions are hugely similar, with the notable difference being that N690 has slightly more …
Source: knifebasics.com
Date Published: 7/28/2021
View: 8966
N690Co and 440C – Spyderco Forums
From this perspective it is easy to dece which steel 440C vs AUS-10 would be better depending on the user preferences. Top. Cliff Stamp …
Source: forum.spyderco.com
Date Published: 2/29/2021
View: 4822
Bohler N690Co Stainless Steel: Is N690 a Good Knife Steel?
N690 vs. 440C … Both the steels are almost the same performance except for resisting corrosion. The Bohler steel is slightly …
Source: www.knifeguides.com
Date Published: 1/6/2021
View: 9094
N690 Steel Properties – KnifeUp
N690 is sometimes compared to 440C steel. Many knifemakers do not believe that 440C is the best steel for comparison to the N690.
Source: knifeup.com
Date Published: 2/10/2022
View: 7034
Composition Comparison Graph For The Knife Steels AISI …
Composition Comparison Graph For The Knife Steels AISI 440C, Bohler-Uddeholm N690 Version 4.36. … Name, Base, C, Cr, Mo, V …
Source: www.zknives.com
Date Published: 11/7/2021
View: 5910
N690 – The Modern Standard Of A Knife Steel – TSPROF
However, like 440C, N690 is inferior in sharpness retention to its … is vanadium (V), the amount of which in N690 is not high – 0.10%.
Source: tsprof.us
Date Published: 9/1/2022
View: 8979
주제와 관련된 이미지 n690 vs 440c
주제와 관련된 더 많은 사진을 참조하십시오 THE BEST KNIFE STEEL: M390, D2, AUS8, N690, VG10, S30V, S35VN, 440C. 댓글에서 더 많은 관련 이미지를 보거나 필요한 경우 더 많은 관련 기사를 볼 수 있습니다.
주제에 대한 기사 평가 n690 vs 440c
- Author: Daggerr EDC knives
- Views: 조회수 3,770회
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- Date Published: 2022. 1. 14.
- Video Url link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kmc35D5HRqY
440c and n690 co the same steel?
KarlMaldensNose said: That is one of the main reasons I decided to sell my Spyderco Hossom Forager before I used it even once. Thing I don’t understand is why Jerry Hossom, who one would assume is quite knowledgeable about steel, would either recommend or simply abide by the use of this steel in his large chopping knives. I have read reports of Spyderco Hossom blades chipping out with hard chopping. Click to expand…
I’ve not heard of this happening, and I’d be interested to read about how it happened and what was being cut at the time. Do you have a link to a review that discusses this?N690Co contains Cobalt to retard crack propagation, thus the “Co” at the end. It’s good steel, made by Boehler in Austria, and I’m a little surprised to hear about the failures people have experienced. That said, high alloy steels are fairly demanding in their heat treating process so it’s possible someone screwed that up on a batch of blades. True, stainless steels are not as tough as many non-stainless steels, but then too they don’t lose their edge due to rust as can easily happen with tool steels kept in a wet sheath or used to cut corrosive materials.To their credit, there are a great many stainless steel blades being used everyday by military personnel in hostile environments and challenging applications and those users are less than tolerant of equipment failure, particularly those in special operations. In fact Spartan Blades which is owned and run by a couple ex-Special Forces guys use S30V in all their blades and supply a great many of them to Special Forces personnel at Ft Bragg. Strider also uses S30V and many of their knives are used in combat operations. Chris Reeves Special Forces knives are S30V as well, so stainless is not synonymous with failure. Poor design and poor heat treating certainly are.All the Spyderco knives I designed use a heavy convex edge made expressly for chopping. The edge is thick at the top of the convex, ~0.040-0,050″, and would take considerable lateral force on a hard object (not wood) to chip or crack, but there’s no doubt a person who wants to break a knife, any knife, can do so. Personally, I’ve not heard of one of the Spyderco knives failing.
What is N690 steel?
When you’re looking to evaluate a knife, the first thing you check out is the material used for the blade. This is the most crucial factor that best defines the knife’s performance and limitations. So. What does it mean when your knife blade is made with N690 steel?
With this guide, you will get a comprehensive answer to that question. You will discover its features, advantages, and potential drawbacks, and even examine its chemical composition. We will directly compare the N690 steel to other somewhat similar steels, and even give you a list of the best N690 steel knives available out there.
What is N690 steel?
The N690 steel is a type of stainless steel, and it is martensitic. That means it’s a type of stainless steel that can be hardened and tempered through many types of heat and aging treatments. It contains a significant amount of carbon for hardness, plenty of chromium for corrosion resistance, and a special blend of cobalt, molybdenum, and vanadium that leads to a fine edge that keeps its sharpness for a long time.
The N690 steel comes from the Bohler company in Austria, though it’s now known as Bohler-Uddeholm. This is a fairly popular steel for knives, especially for European knifemakers.
Common Uses of N690 steel
Many different tools use N690 steel for their components. These include:
Pocket knives
Hunting and outdoor knives
Rotary knives for the meat procession industry
Cutting surgical tools
Corrosion-resistant roller bearings
Plate and knife-edge fulcrums
Pistons and valve needles for refrigerators
N690 steel Chemical Composition
Let’s take a closer look at the N690 recipe:
Carbon, 1.07%
Cobalt, 1.5%
Manganese, 0.4%
Molybdenum, 1.1%
Vanadium, 0.1%
Silicon. 0.4%
Carbon, 1.07%: Many consider carbon as the most crucial element in any steel alloy. This is quite a lot of carbon, which explains its good wear resistance and edge retention. But it doesn’t go overboard, so you still get decent toughness while the edge is still relatively easy to sharpen.
Chromium, 17%: The chromium level puts the N690 firmly in the stainless-steel category, as this group only requires a minimum of 10% to 122% chromium. With this amount of chromium, you get excellent corrosion resistance that makes the blade good for outdoor work.
Cobalt, 1.5%: The cobalt here allows for higher hardness, especially at higher temperatures. It also somehow magnifies the effects brought on by the other elements.
Manganese, 0.4%: This is only a rather average amount of manganese, as most steels contain at least 0.3%. But it’s very important, next only to carbon itself. It boosts the tensile strength and hardenability of the steel, and it also helps to take out the oxygen bubbles and the sulfur impurities.
Molybdenum, 1.1%: When added to stainless steel (like in this case), the molybdenum helps with corrosion resistance. It also boosts creep strength and strength in higher temperatures, and improves hardenability. The molybdenum content here is quite significant, since normally steels get less than 1% molybdenum.
Vanadium, 0.1%: This is actually a lot of vanadium, because when you have more than 0.05% vanadium, there’s a greater chance that the steel will become brittle during the treatment for thermal stress relief. The vanadium works with the other elements to refine the grain size and limit the grain growth. It also improves shock loading resistance, fracture toughness, and hardenability.
Silicon. 0.4%: This also helps to take out oxygen bubbles from the molten steel. It boosts the strength and hardness of the alloy, though not as much as manganese does.
N690 Steel hardness
This depends a lot on the heat treatment that the brand does for the steel. But if you go with a good brand, you may be able to reach about 58 to 60 HRC.
That’s not as hard as what you’d get from the premium and ultra-premium super-steels, but it’s good enough for most people. Also, it’s not too hard so you have an easier time sharpening the blade, and it’s not too brittle as well.
Does N690 steel rust?
All knives can rust, given the right (or wrong, to be more exact) conditions. However, the N690 is stainless steel, and it won’t rust very easily. You won’t have to oil this constantly, as it’s made to work even in wet conditions.
Just keep it dry after use, and you should be fine. You may want to keep this away from saltwater, though. The saltwater eats away at the protective layer than keeps the steel safe from corrosion.
Properties of N690 steel
Good Cutting Performance
One of the reasons why N690 is popular and favored by many brands is that it offers all-around good performance in all the key areas that matter to most users. Add the fact that it’s fairly affordable, and you’ll get great value for your money.
The N690 will do the job, especially for EDC. That means it won’t have trouble cutting open various types of packages and cutting off plastic tags. It can even cut rope if you have a hunting knife, or you can carve wood with it.
Respectable Edge Retention
While its edge retention won’t be as great as with the super steels, with the N690 it’s not as if you’d need to sharpen the edge every day. You can get by using the knife for the whole day without sharpening the blade. You also aren’t likely to need to sharpen the blade in the middle day of the day, which can be inconvenient when you’re outdoors camping or hunting.
Decent Toughness
One of the main problems with super-hard steels in general is that as the hardness rating goes up, the toughness rating goes down. But since it’s not extremely hard, the N690 steel offers decent toughness. That means it’s not too brittle and won’t easily chip off.
Easy Enough to Sharpen
In this area, the N690 is above average. Even newbies should have no trouble sharpening the blade. A basic Arkansas stone will do, and it won’t take you long to get a sharp edge again.
With the harder steels, you might need diamond-plated stones, or even more specialized equipment. And even then, you’d need both the sharpening experience to get things right, plus it’ll take a while.
Excellent Corrosion Resistance
This is one area in which the N690 is better than many other alternatives out there. It’s a type of stainless steel, so you won’t have to worry about rust spots when you use this in wet conditions. You won’t have to keep this blade oiled to keep corrosion at bay.
Reasonably Affordable
You get this good all-around package and yet you don’t have to pay a lot to enjoy these benefits. Again, it’s one of the main reasons why the N690 steel is popular and highly regarded.
N690 Equivalent Steels or Alternative
N690 steel vs 440C
Let’s compare the N690 to a bunch of other steels that many also consider as terrific all-around performers.
The 440C is an upper mid-range steel that’s also been long regarded as a good all-around steel. It’s also stainless steel, with good performance for edge retention, wear resistance, toughness, and ease of sharpening.
The main thing here is that the N690 is simply better. The 440c is perhaps just as tough and as easy to sharpen as the N690. But the N690 holds its sharp edge for longer, and it also does better at resisting corrosion.
N690 steel vs S30V
Now this is a rather unfair comparison. Sure, the S30V is also among the best all-around performers and considered among the steels that offer the best bang for the buck. That’s why it’s so popular.
But S30V is a premium steel, with terrific cutting power, edge retention, and wear resistance that are all better than what you get with the N690 steel. It’s even tougher than the N690
The S30V is a bit harder to sharpen, but that’s not really a problem for most experienced knife owners. The S30V also scores the same for corrosion resistance. Really, the only thing that stops people from switching from N690 to S30V is that they have to pay extra for all these benefits.
N690 steel vs M390
The M390 is also widely recognized as the best steel all-around, if you ignore its price. It’s good at everything, and it’s among the best of the higher end knives. But just keep in mind that it’s part of the “ultra-premium” super-steel lineup, and it’s certainly not cheap.
Its edge retention is among the best of all steels, and simply outclasses the N690 by a wide margin. At the same time, it’s somehow tougher than the N690. That means the N690, while softer, is still more likely to chip off than the M390. Its corrosion resistance level is also equal to the N690.
Aside from the price, the main drawback with the M390 is that it’s significantly more difficult to sharpen. But even here it’s notably better to sharpen than the other super steels.
N690 steel vs VG10
When some people try to describe the N690, quite a few people say that “it’s just like the VG10”. The VG10 scores the same when it comes to all the crucial factors: edge retention, toughness, ease of sharpening, and corrosion resistance. It’s a dead-tie.
However, in some cases you may find the VG10 holding its sharp edge longer, but in this case the N690 steel will be just a bit tougher.
N690 steel vs D2
The D2 has also been considered a good all-around steel, but that was by the standards of the WWII era. For its time, it’s extremely hard and even today it holds its edge far better than most steels. It’s certainly better than the N690 in this regard. At the same time, it’s also tougher than the N690.
However, because of the hardness of the steel, the D2 is a lot more difficult to sharpen. You actually have to be an expert blade sharpener to do a good job sharpening D2 steel.
Also, the D2 is only a “semi-stainless” steel. It’s not as resistant to corrosion as the N690.
Is N690 steel good for Knives?
Yes, it’s good for knives. It’s an all-around steel that performs well in various areas. That’s to say, it gives you good cutting performance, edge retention, and wear resistance.
Yet it’s not that difficult to sharpen, and it’s still tough enough that it won’t chip off easily. It’s also quite corrosion-resistant, making it a good choice for outdoor activities and wet environments.
It’s even fairly affordable. So, you don’t have to pay through the nose to enjoy these benefits. N690 knives are actually quite popular, and you may even find brands that use only N690 steel for their knives. That’s probably proof enough on its own that N690 is indeed a good steel for knives.
Pros & Cons of N690 steel
Pros Respectable edge retention
Decent toughness
Reasonably easy to sharpen
Excellent corrosion resistance
Affordable Cons Some steels are better all-around, for only a few dollars more
You will steel need to sharpen the edge fairly regularly
Best N690 steel Knives
#1: Boker 120620 Savannah Boot Knife Quick Specification Type: Fixed Blade
Fixed Blade Overall Length: 8.98 in
8.98 in Blade Length: 4.57 in
4.57 in Blade Thickness: 0.13 in
0.13 in Weight: 6.70 oz
6.70 oz Designer: Armin Stütz
Armin Stütz Blade Material: N690
N690 Handle Material: Micarta
Micarta Lock Type: Fixed
Fixed Made in: Solingen, Germany
Solingen, Germany Sheath Material: Leather This was developed in consultation with professional rangers, and with their African big game hunting experiences in mind. This is a serious knife with professional-grade construction, built with meticulous care. It’s really meant for outdoor work, and not for EDC. It’s even gorgeous to look at, with the two-tone mirror finish for the blade and the unique grooves on the canvas Micarta scales. In fact, quite a few owners say that it might be too pretty, because you may hesitate to use and abuse it. You may be tempted to just look at it and enjoy the exquisite aesthetics. Yet you should use this for hunting and outdoor activities, because those are its true purposes. That’s why the N690 steel was used in the first place. This is a fixed knife that measures 9⅜ inches overall, with the blade measuring 4⅝ inches. This is meant for tough cutting tasks, and its full tang design gives you the stability and strength you need. At its size, you get the balance you need for control while you’re able to cut through stuff efficiently. This weighs 7.8 ounces, which is reassuringly solid. The perfect weight distribution does make it seem lighter, and easier to use. The knife blade goes where you want it to go (which is always a good thing). Even that unique-looking micarta handle wasn’t built for just its looks. Those elaborate grooves offer an extremely secure grip. You get a sure hold of your knife even when working in wet conditions, or when you’re wearing gloves. This doesn’t come with a boot clip, but you do get a leather sheath. This leather sheath is nice enough, but it’s of average quality compared to the superb quality of the Boker 120620 Savannah Boot Knife. It’s not really bad (it’s quite good, actually), but the knife itself is just terrific.
Pros Made with professional rangers for big game hunting
Gorgeous
Perfect weight distribution
Superbly secure grip even with gloves or when wet
Comes with a sheath Cons May be too pretty to be abused
Sheath isn’t as good as the knife itself
May be too large for EDC
#2: Kizer DUKES, Folding Pocket Knives, V3466N2 Quick Specification Blade Material: Stainless Steel
Stainless Steel Handle Material: Fiberglass
Fiberglass Blade Shape: Clip Point
Clip Point Overall Length: 7.18 inch(18.24 cm)
7.18 inch(18.24 cm) Blade Length: 3.00 inch(7.63cm)
3.00 inch(7.63cm) Weight: 2.66 oz(0.17 pounds) There’s a version of this that uses the VG-10 steel for the blade, but obviously we picked the N690 variant. It also comes with a pocket clip for easier carrying. We went with the black and red G-10 handle, which measures 4⅛ inches long and less than half an inch thick. The handle offers a nice, secure grip, thanks to the milled ridges in the handle scales. The whole knife weighs just 2.64 ounces. This comes with a stainless-steel liner, which keeps the blade from opening accidentally. It’s easy enough to open the flipper knife with one hand, extending its overall length to 7⅛ inches. The blade itself is exactly 3 inches long, which should comply with EDC laws in many areas. The blade features a standard drop-point style, with a plain edge, hollow grind, and satin finish. It has a slight recurved shape for improved effectiveness. There’s a sharpening choil as well. When you open the knife, the blade locks into place to prevent it from closing accidentally. This is your basic, no-nonsense folding knife that does your EDC tasks with no fanfare. It just gets the job done.
Pros Lightweight and compact for easy carrying
Milled ridges offer a secure grip
Sharpening choil makes sharpening easier
Can be opened quickly with one hand
Blade locks when open
3-inch blade length complies with typical blade length laws Cons It may mess with your pocket
#3: Kizer Begleiter2, Folding Pocket Knife Quick Specification Blade length: 3.42″(87mm)
3.42″(87mm) Overall length: 7.87″(200mm)
7.87″(200mm) Weight: 3.25 oz.(92g)
3.25 oz.(92g) Blade Material: N690
N690 Handle Material: Carbon Fiber
Carbon Fiber Blade Shape: Drop Point
Drop Point Pocket Clip: Deep Carry The word begleiter is the German equivalent of “companion” and that may be its role when you get the Kizer Begleiter2. This uses the N690 steel with a black titanium coating, along with a green micarta handle. When open, the whole knife measures 7.87 inches long. The drop-point blade accounts for 3.42 inches. The whole knife weighs just 3.25 ounces. The knife feels very balanced in your hand, giving you terrific control. With the thumb stud openers, this is safe to handle even if you tend to fidget with it. With its ball bearings, the flipping action is smooth and fast. It comes with a pocket clip for deep carry, as the knife can sit low in your pocket. The clip is also reversible, meaning you can carry the knife in your right or left-side pocket. Yes, the Kizer brand is actually Chinese. But this is superbly made, with painstaking attention paid to quality control. Everything works perfectly, and the superb balance proves that it’s a knife you’ll actually want to use every day.
Pros Allows for deep carry for both right and left-side pocket
Ball bearings offer quick and smooth opening
Terrific weight balance
Fidget-friendly Cons Made in China (even if the quality control is terrific)
Conclusion
It’s true that the N690 steel is a medium-quality steel. It’s certainly not one of the ultra-premium super steels.
But for some people, that makes it better. It’s good at all the factors that matter to knife users. It provides good cutting performance, edge retention wear, resistance, and toughness. It’s easy to sharpen, and it’s nicely corrosion-resistant.
The price is just right, it’ll get the job done, and it’ll last you a while. Try it, and there’s a good chance that, like so many others, you’ll end up liking the N690 steel knife.
information on various knife steels
– KNIFE STEELS INTRODUCTION – This information refers to the various types of knife steels that we use to make your knives. ELMAX STEEL : Produced by Bohler-Uddenholm, ELMAX steel is a Powder Metalurgy (PM) high chromium-vanadium-molybdenum-alloyed steel. This composition allows for the steel to have a high wear resistance, high compressive strength, superior corrosion resistance and a very good dimensional stability or the ability to retain its size and form even after taking abuse. Also, the PM process combined with the high chromium content imparts Elmax with good grindability and excellent polishability. This gives the knife the desired traits of superior edge retention and an ease of sharpening, which is often the reason that people are attracted to such stainless steel knives. The steel’s “Superclean” production process combined with small sized powder and carbides guarantee trouble-free grinding and polishing. When hardened to 57-59 HRC, though the steel can actually be hardened up to 62 HRC, the knife has a good edge holding ability as well as a less-commonly found impact resistance and grinds very easily. Therefore, ELMAX steel can take more abuse than other steels, and come out unscathed. On a CATRA (Cutlery Allied Trades Research Association) Edge Retention Test, when tested for Rockwell C Hardness, Uddenholm’s ELMAX scored higher than the other tested stainless steels, including Aisi M4, Aisi 440C, Bohler M390 Superclean, and Uddenholm Vanadis 4, at an impressive 62 HRC. In its TCC (total cards cut) test, which measures how many silica impregnated cards that a knife with each steel type can cut through ata time, ELMAX scored a 930.7, higher than most other steels, and second only to Bohler’s M390 Superclean (958.6) . In an impact toughness test, the toughness of ELMAX steel at 61 HRC is better than any competitor’s stainless blade steel even at 57 HRC, despite a lower HRC typically providing more toughness. What many love about this steel is that, although it is a stainless steel and has the better qualities of stainless steel, it also has qualities of a carbon steel alloy. Carbon steel, unlike stainless steel, is easier to sharpen and achieve a good edge. COMPOSITION: 1.7% carbon, 18% chromium, 0.3% manganese, 1% molybdenum, 0.8% silicon, 3% vanadium. M390 STEEL : M390 (Bohler-Uddeholm) martensitic Chromium steel is a 3rd generation PM stainless steel that offers good wear resistance with excellent corrosion resistance through the use of high chromium and vanadium content. The PM process combined with the high chromium content imparts M390 with good grindability and excellent polishability. Its high austenizing temperature imparts M390 with a high attainable hardness of RC 58-62. It has been developed for knife blades requiring good corrosion resistance and very high hardness for excellent wear resistance. 1.9% carbon, 20% chromium, 1% molybdenum, 4% vanadium, 0.7% silicon, 0.3% manganese and 0.6% tungsten are added together for excellent sharpness and edge retention. It can be polished to an extremely high finish. It hardens and tempers to 60-62 HRC. M390 is a fine grained alloy, popular choice for high end folders and small fixed blades. Excellent performance with both, coarse and high polished edges. You still need about 15° per side edge to get the best performance and edge holding. Working hardness can reach 62HRC, and most of the production knives are in 60-62HRC range. Overall, it is one of the best performers as far as corrosion and wear resistance go and because of that it is a popular choice for high end and limited edition knives. Aside from a very good edge holding ability, maintaining the edge is very easy. And one more thing worth noticing, there’s no stubborn burr forming during sharpening, therefore, there’s no risk to form a wire edge either. Unlike other stainless steels, most carbides are formed by vanadium and molybdenum, leaving more ‘free chromium’ to fight corrosion. Bohler calls this steel “Microclean”. RWL 34 STEEL : RWL 34 is a premium powder metallurgy cutlery steel manufactured by Damasteel AB. RWL 34 has a strong following in Europe. This is not surprising given it’s impressive performance and European origin. It is named after the world famous knife maker Robert W Loveless (January 2, 1929 – September 2, 2010). Essentially a powder metallurgy variant of ATS-34, RWL 34 has very similar composition as ATS-34/154CM, but because of it is manufactured from rapidly solidified powders, the microstructure of the steel is much more uniform. This gives the steel much higher strenth and resistance to cracking. RWL 34 is a particularly successful steel with very high strength and toughness combined with extreme edge sharpness that is easy to maintain. RWL 34 most appreciated features among knife makers are the ease to work with and the ability to mirror finish polish. COMPOSITION : carbon 1.05%, silicon 0.50%, manganese 0.50%, cromium 14%, molybdenum 4%, vanadium 0.20% N690 STEEL: N690 steel is a martensitic stainless steel with cobalt, molybdenum and vanadium addition, produced by a small Austrian steel plant that also provides steel for surgical instruments. The Austrian Bohler Company says that the N690 can be made into hardened cutting tools with excellent edge-holding property, such as knive blades, cutting surgical instruments, rotary knives for the meat processing industry, plate and knive-edge fulcrums, corrosion resistant roller bearings, valve needles and pistons for refrigerating machines, with excellent edge-holding property. This steel is very similar to 440C steel, as it has 1.07% carbon content (440C steel has a carbon content ranging from 0.95% – 1.07%). N690 is a high end stainless steel with an alloy that is common in many good knives. It is a durable knife steel that is wear resistant. It is also a very hard steel. N690 contains the important martensitic chromium steel composition with cobalt, molybdenum and vanadium. It can be hardened to a very desirable hardness level. The surface finish is fine ground or polished. N690 is sometimes compared to 440C steel. Many knife makers however do not believe that 440C is the best steel for comparison to N690. N690 is a much better steel and it is very similar to the VG10. N690 steel is so good for making knifes that many prominent knife manufacturers use only N690 steel. This steel has the right carbon content and the right cobalt content. The key to the hardness of N690 is the addition of cobalt in the steel matrix. Cobalt creates uniformity in the structure within the steel. The value of cobalt in a knife blade is that it produces a fine edge with excellent edge retention. COMPOSITION:: carbon 1.07%, chromium 17%, cobalt 1.5%, manganese 0.40%, molybdenum 1.10%, silicon 0.40% and vanadium 0.10% 440C STEEL : 440C stainless steel (once the most popular stainless steel among knife makers) is a high-carbon martensitic chromium steel designed to provide stainless properties with maximum hardness. It also has high strength, moderate corrosion resistance and wear resistance. It resistscorrosion from fresh water steam, crude oil, gasoline, and resists staining from fruit and food acids. Maximum resistance is obtained by hardening and polishing. It is used in the hardened plus tempered condition. It is a bearing steel, and used in rolling contact stainless bearings, e.g. ball and roller bearings. It is also used to make knife blades. When heat-treated, 440C stainless steel attains a very high hardness of 58–60 HRC. It is a 400 series stainless steel, and has the highest carbon content in the 400 stainless steel series. Actually, it is very similar to the 440B grade but with a slightly higher carbon content. It attains a higher hardness than that of 440B but with a slight reduction in its corrosive properties. COMPOSITION: carbon 0.95–1.20%, chromium 16.00–18.00%, molybdenum 0.75%, manganese 1.0%, silicon 1.0%. CPM 154 STEEL: CPM 154 is a martensitic stainless steel, having less chromium and very little nickel as compared to Austenitic steels. This also makes it magnetic. Martensitic steels have higher levels of carbon which allows for the formation of Martensite, an extremely hard structure making it ideal for knife making. CPM 154 aims for a Rockwell C hardness of 58 – 60 Rc. The composition is exactly the same as it is for 154CM, the only difference being the CPM forming process (154CM stainless steel is similar to 440C stainless steel but with the addition of molybdenum for superior edge holding, while still maintaining the same corrosion resistance). It holds a better edge and has a higher corrosion resistance than 154CM as well. It will more readily polish to a mirror finish and is easier to grind than CPM S30V. The CPM process also has a leg up on 154CM in that the powdered steels can be heat treated to maximum effectiveness. When compared with 440C, the standard by which most stainless knife steels are measured, CPM 154 has better edge retention and chip resistance, plus dimensional stability. The general machining parameters are similar to 154 CM, ATS-34 (Hitachi) and 440C. COMPOSITION: carbon 1.06%, chromium 13.47%, manganese 0.51%, molybdenum 4.01%, silicon 0.84%, phosphorus 0.02%, sulfur 0.02%, nickel 0.16%, copper 0.09% VG-10 STEEL: VG-10 is a cutlery grade stainless steel produced in Japan. The name stands for V Gold 10 (“gold” meaning quality), or sometimes V-Kin-10 (kin means “gold” in Japanese). It is a stainless steel with a high carbon content. The VG-10 stainless steel was originally designed by Takefu Special Steel Co. Ltd., based in Takefu, Fukui Prefecture, Japan (the former cutlery/sword-making center of Echizen). Takefu also made another version: VG10W, which contains 0.4% tungsten. Almost all VG-10 steel knife blades were manufactured in Japan. VG-10 was originally aimed at Japanese chefs, but also found its way into sports cutlery. Spyderco and Kizer have also produced some of their most popular models from VG-10 and Fällkniven uses laminated VG-10 in many of their knives. Moreover, VG-10 is the most preferable steel to make stainless damascus steel by many steel companies, such as Damasteel. COMPOSITION: 1% carbon, 15% chromium, 1% molybdenum, 0.2% vanadium, 1.5% cobalt, 0.5% manganese 12C27 STEEL: 12C27 is Sandvik’s most well-rounded knife steel with excellent edge performance allowing razor sharpness, high hardness, exceptional toughness and good corrosion resistance. It is a martensitic stainless chromium steel with an optimized analysis for high quality professional knife applications. After heat treatment, the composition of carbon and chromium gives a unique combination of properties including: a) Very high hardness b) Good corrosion resistance c) Very high wear resistance Typical applications for Sandvik 12C27 are hunting and fishing knives, pocket knives, skate blades and ice drills. With a hardness range of 54-61 HRC, high toughness, scary sharpness and good corrosion resistance, 12C27 is also recommended for camping knives, high-end chef’s knives and tactical knives. COMPOSITION: carbon 0.6%, chromium 13.5%, silicon 0.4%, manganese 0.4%, phosphorus 0.025, sulfur 0.010 D2 STEEL : First appeared during WW II, semi-stainless tool steel. It is very popular even today. Pretty much every steel manufacturer makes it and it’s quite popular with knifemakers, custom and factory alike. Composition-wise it’s almost a stainless steel. Resists rust pretty well, good edge holding and good toughness. Rockwell hardness range (depending on the manufacturer) is HRC 57-62, with blades typically hardened to the upper range. Since D2 is a tool steel, it’s susceptible to staining and corrosion. However, when compared with other tool steels, the elevated chromium content of the formulation has garnered D2 a reputation for superior corrosion and stain resistance. The effects of environmental attacks (blood, body fluids, salty water and ambient moisture) on this steel are restrained if reasonable care is used. With minimal care, D2 can remain free from corrosion and staining for the lifetime of the blade. D2 does have some other drawbacks as blade steel. It can be difficult to polish properly, with many manufacturers opting to avoid attempts at mirror polishing simply because it takes too much time and effort with little to gain. Furthermore, since D2 blades are typically Rockwell hardened to HRC 60-61, some users will encounter difficulties with edge reestablishment. At the same time, once a D2 blade has been sharpened properly, it will hold its edge much longer than blades with a lower Rockwell hardness. COMPOSITION: 1.55% carbon, 12% chromium, 0.3% manganese, 1% molybdenum, 0.8% vanadium.
Is N690 Steel good for knives? N690 Steel Review
What is N690 Steel? N690 steel is cobalt-enriched stainless steel manufactured by Bohler, an Austria steel company. This steel is high in carbon and chromium elements with the addition of cobalt for consistency.
N690 steel should not be confused with N690Co, both are produced by Bohler but the latter contains more Cobalt in its alloy and was developed after the original Bohler N690 steel.
N690 steel alloy contains high amounts of chromium making it stainless steel. It also has fine grain composition that enables the blade steel to remain sharp for a long time even after exposure to prolonged tough applications.
Bohler N690 steel’s ability to withstand stress is a favorite choice for knife makers. It is used to make outdoor knives including, tactical, camping, hunting, and bushcraft knives.
N690 Steel Composition
· Carbon C 0.95%: Increases edge retention, hardness, and tensile strength. It also improves steel resistance to wear, abrasion, and corrosion.
· Chromium Cr 17.00%: Formation of Chromium carbides. Increases the blade’s hardness, tensile strength, and corrosion resistance.
· Nitrogen N 0.15%: Improves the hardness of steel while also refining the grain structure to prevent chipping and cracking.
· Molybdenum Mo 0.50%: It improves machinability and hardness.
· Phosphorous P 0.03%: Increases the strength and improves the machinability of steel
· Manganese Mn 1.00%: improves the strength and hardness of steel. When the steel is heat-treated, hardenability is improved with increased manganese.
· Silicon Si 1.00%: Increases strength and heat resistance.
· Sulfur S 0.03%: Improves machinability but is regarded as an impurity in high quantities.
Properties of N690 steel
N690 Steel Hardness
The hardness of N690 steel is 55-60 HRC as per the Rockwell hardness scale. This range makes it hard steel, associated with the high amounts of carbon in its composition. The added cobalt, a very hard and heat-resistant metal, also contributes to the hardness.
Because of this high hardness, N690 blade steel becomes a perfect choice in making outdoor knives.
N690 Steel Edge retention
If you have been searching for a knife with excellent edge retention, you are in the right place. Like any other hard steel, Bohler N690 blade steel can hold an edge for a long time without the need for frequent sharpening.
You can confidently pack N690 stainless knives for tough outdoor applications. The fine edge that does not become dull faster is also associated with fine-edged cobalt in its composition. N690 steel edge retention is in the range of 154CM, CPM 154, 440C, and VG 10 steel.
N690 Steel Toughness
As a rule of thumb, you can either get high hardness or toughness from steel but never both. However, it is different from N690 blade steel as it offers both.
Although it does not offer the best toughness out there, it delivers decent toughness, enough to withstand tough outdoor applications without chipping or breaking easily.
The perfect balance between the hardness and toughness of this steel makes it the go-to choice among knife makers and users.
N690 Steel Corrosion resistance
Bohler N690 steel takes pride in corrosion resistance because it contains high amounts of chromium in its composition. It is stainless steel as it contains more than 17% chromium, surpassing the 13% chromium content required to make stainless steel.
Therefore, you can use this steel in areas of high humidity, moisture and salt without rusting. This is another reason this steel is preferred in making outdoor knives because they are mostly used in highly corrosive environments.
N690 Steel Wear retention
Due to the added cobalt, N690 offers great wear retention better than some premium steels out there.
Most knives, even some made with high-end steel, wear out with continued use and sharpening, but N690 knives have proven to last longer in the same conditions.
N690 Steel Ease of sharpening
N690 holds an edge for a long time, but it will eventually become dull. The good news is, that it is very easy to attain a sharp edge on this steel.
Unlike other hard steels, which require sophisticated sharpening tools and professional sharpening skills, N690 steel is super easy to sharpen.
N690 Steel Comparison
N690 Steel Equivalent
AISI 440C steel is often regarded as N690 steel equivalent due to its almost identical alloy composition. N690 steel is, however, slightly better than 440C due to the additional Cobalt and Molybdenum that positively increases the effects of other alloying elements.
N690 vs M390 steel
Both N690 and M390 steel are produced by Bohler but offer different properties. Bohler M390 steel is premium steel as it contains a more refined alloy.
M390 steel is better than N690 steel in most performance aspects; it offers better wear retention, edge retention, toughness, and corrosion resistance.
M390 steel is also very expensive and can be found in premium knives. Probably this is the only aspect where N690 excels over M390 steel.
See Also: Bohler M398 Steel an improved version of M390 with better edge retention and wear resistance.
N690 vs N690Co
Bohler N690 and N690Co are both made by Bohler and are very similar steels. However, more cobalt was added to N690CO and hence the CO in its name.
They offer the same hardness level, and both offer great edge retention, wear resistance, and corrosion resistance; however, because of the extra cobalt, N690CO stainless steel is better.
N690 vs D2
The most notable difference between N690 steel and D2 steel is that N690 is stainless steel while D2 is non stainless steel. Bohler N690 contains over 17% chromium elements in its alloy. N690 knife steel thus provides excellent corrosion resistance and can be used in both corrosive and highly humid environments.
D2 steel achieves a higher Rockwell hardness than N690 stainless steel. The higher Rockwell hardness enables D2 steel to offer better edge retention and wear resistance over that of Bohler N690 blade steel.
Bohler N690 knife steel is easier to sharpen than D2 knife steel due to the low HRC. D2 steel can achieve a higher Rockwell hardness and wear resistance due to a higher amount of carbon in its alloy.
Despite D2 steel offering better edge retention than Bohler N690, N690 can be regarded as better all-around knife steel than D2 steel, as it is easy to maintain in terms of sharpening, and there are no worries of rust or corrosion when used in a corrosive environment.
N690 vs VG 10
N690 steel and VG 10 steel are closely related knife steels due to the presence of cobalt in both of their alloy composition, and both are popular due to their outstanding performances in edge retention and corrosion resistance.
N690 steel is better knife steel than VG 10 steel in terms of corrosion resistance due to a higher amount of chromium elements in its alloy composition than VG 10 steel. The higher Chromium elements also increase the wear resistance of Bohler N690 steel over VG 10 steel.
VG 10 steel offers better toughness than N690 steel; N690 contains more Carbon than VG 10 steel, which leads to the formation of a higher amount of carbides. The chromium carbides formed are excellent in wear resistance but reduce the toughness of N690 steel.
Regarding edge retention, both N690 stainless steel and VG 10 stainless steel provide equal performance. Their edge retention is slightly lower than that of CPM S30V steel but on par with the likes of 440C stainless steel and 154CM stainless steel.
Bohler N690 knife steel is also much easier to sharpen due to its relatively low Rockwell hardness of about 60HRC compared to that of hard VG 10 stainless steel, which can get to up to 62HRC.
N690 vs 440C
Bohler N690 and 440C steel alloy compositions are hugely similar, with the notable difference being that N690 has slightly more molybdenum and additional cobalt elements, which are not present in 440C steel.
The additional Cobalt and Molybdenum elements make N690 steel better than 440C steel in terms of edge retention and wear resistance, enabling it to achieve a higher Rockwell hardness.
Bohler N690 offers slightly better corrosion resistance than 440C steel due to the additional Chromium and Molybdenum elements. The effect of cobalt on corrosion resistance might be minimal and not the main reason for the increased corrosion resistance.
440C stainless steel has a slightly finer microstructure than N690 stainless steel and is easier to sharpen than N690 stainless steel. Apart from the additional Cobalt and Molybdenum, 440C stainless steel is similar to Bohler N690 stainless steel in performance aspects.
N690 vs S35VN
Crucible S35VN steel is better than N690 steel in edge retention and wear resistance, resulting from a finer microstructure with better alloying elements. According to Bohler Udderholm, CATRA testing, S35VN scored a TCC (Total Cards Cut) of 132 at 61HRC while N690 scored a TCC (Total Cards Cut) of 118 at 61.5HRC.
S35VN steel is better than N690 steel in toughness due to the Powder Metallurgy production process that yields hard but finer carbides that are less prone to chipping and cracking and high impact. The addition of Niobium and reduction of vanadium content significantly improve S35VN toughness.
N690 stainless steel offers slightly better corrosion resistance than CPM S35VN stainless steel. The better corrosion resistance of N690 results from increased Chromium elements (17.5%) compared to that of S35VN Steel (14%).
N690 knife steel is easier to sharpen than S35VN knife steel due to relatively lower wear resistance. S35VN steel is harder to sharpen than N690 steel as it contains the Hardest MC carbide content, which is a mixture of Vanadium Carbide and Niobium Carbide.
N690 vs S30V
N690 steel is better than S30V steel in corrosion resistance due to the high chromium content in its alloying element. Bohler N690 steel contains 17.5% chromium content while S30 steel contains 14% chromium content.
N690 knife steel is much easier to sharpen than S30V knife steel as it does not contain the hard carbides found in S30V steel. S30V steel offers better edge retention and wear resistance than Bohler N690 due to the high amount of Vanadium Carbides that are excellent in edge retention and wear resistance.
CPM S30V steel offers slightly better toughness than N690 due to the powder metallurgy production process that results in finer carbides microstructure less prone to chipping and cracking under high impact.
S30V steel is better knife steel than N690 steel as it gives better edge retention, toughness, and wear resistance. N690 knives will, however, be much easier to sharpen and can be exposed to a highly corrosive environment
Is N690 Steel good for knives? Yes! Bohler N690 stainless steel is good knife steel and is used by big knife companies. It offers excellent edge retention, great wear resistance, superb corrosion resistance, and decent toughness, and it is easy to sharpen.
Because of these features, it is a good choice for making outdoor knives. N690 steel knives are also affordable for the better properties they offer.
However, I’d highly recommend looking at N690Co blade steel knives as it is an upgraded version of N690 and N695 steel; there is not much difference in price.
N690Co and 440C
Postby Cliff Stamp » Sun Apr 19, 2015 12:01 pm
The Mastiff wrote: Any idea where Aus 10 fits in here?
Joe this is a simple question but I don’t know if there is a specific/distinct answer. Imagine I take a bunch of kitchen knives and lay them out in front of you then how would you sort them :You might do something like :-rank them according to the type (Chef vs paring vs slicing)However someone else might come in and rank them according to the brand, but yet another person might come in and rank them according to the edge geometry (thickness/angle). How you compare steels is similar, which one of :-maximum hardness-carbide volume-corrosion resistancedo you choose? I tend to look at stainless steels first by the carbon/chromium in solution as this sets the hardness and corrosion resistance and then walk up the comparisons looking at carbide volume. From this perspective if you look at the AUS series of steels then you get a progressive change in :-increase in carbon content in solution (higher strength and lower toughness)-lower chromium content in solution (lower corrosion resistance)-increased carbide volume (increase wear resistance, lower toughness)Now if you compare the ones which are similar in one aspect you can do the same kind of comparison. 440C vs AUS-10 for example have very similar carbon levels but AUS-10 has a much lower chromium level and so you can estimate from the phase diagrams that AUS-10 has more carbon in solution but less chromium, so :-it is harder/stronger-not as corrosion resistant-similar wear resistance and toughnessWhy are the last two similar, because they have one aspect which increases it and one which decreases it.-carbide volume is lower (increases toughness, decreases wear resistance)-carbon content is higher (decreases toughness, increases wear resistance)From this perspective it is easy to decide which steel 440C vs AUS-10 would be better depending on the user preferences.
Bohler N690Co Stainless Steel: Is N690 a Good Knife Steel?
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If you have been looking for European knives for tactical, bushcrafting, or other outdoor applications, chances are high for you to spot N690 steel as the blade material. Many European knives will have it, as this steel is quite popular across the continent.
What is N690Co Steel?
The N690Co steel is cobalt-rich stainless steel from Bohler, a company in Austria whose steel sheets are always used for making upscale and high-end knives. This is why you get to see it in several European knives.
The origin of this alloy is N690 steel. As cobalt was added to this steel, some knife makers called it N690Co. It is high-carbon stainless steel, to which cobalt is added for fostering structural consistency. Technically, this is a fine-grained steel form whose blades sustain their sharpness despite being subjected to prolonged usage spells.
N690 and N690Co are used these days interchangeably for the same steel.
This special high-carbon and cobalt steel can handle heavy stress. Hence the steel is used across the globe for making camping, bushcraft, and tactical knives.
Bohler makes this stainless steel so that the manufacturers of knives find it easy to use. The credit goes to the trivial differences in its mechanical properties. In simple words, this means spending no time determining or spotting the direction of the grain before cutting the steel. As a knife user, this translates to more affordability due to less production effort.
N690 Composition
N690Co steel has high chromium, carbon, and molybdenum content, thus balancing toughness and hardness. Steel is considered stainless if its chromium content is above 10.5%. In this steel, the chromium content is over 17%; hence it is stainless steel.
Its chemical composition is quite close to 440C with analogous amounts of chromium, carbon, and molybdenum. Apart from these three, it also has cobalt and vanadium to enhance the alloy properties. Following are the various elements of which this steel is made up:
17.3% chromium for improved edge retention, tensile strength, and wear as well as corrosion resistance
1.65% cobalt for enhancing the individual impact of other elements
1.07% carbon for better hardness as well as resistance to wear and corrosion
1.1% molybdenum for improved strength as well as manufacturing ability (machinability)
0.4% manganese for more hardness
0.4% silicon for better strength
0.1% vanadium for better hardness as well as wear resistance
Hardness
Due to the mix of cobalt and high carbon, the N690 stainless steel is very hard. However, the knife makers make sure it does not get too hard during heat treatment. As with the presence of cobalt, a risk of being brittle is always there.
Typically, this steel gains a rating of approximately 60 HRC, mostly the hardness range is between 59 and 61. That said, you get a hard edge for tough outdoor applications with a reduced risk of chipping.
Properties
The chemical composition of this steel dictates its properties. Following are its most significant properties that you can expect from an N690Co knife:
Great Cutting Ability : The hardness level of this steel is ideal for cutting stronger and tougher things than the plastic and paper ones. You can easily cut wood, rope, and other things seen outdoors with it.
: The hardness level of this steel is ideal for cutting stronger and tougher things than the plastic and paper ones. You can easily cut wood, rope, and other things seen outdoors with it. Superb Edge Retention : The edge does not dull fast and is better than most steels. The credit goes to the inclusion of cobalt that delivers a consistent fine edge.
: The edge does not dull fast and is better than most steels. The credit goes to the inclusion of cobalt that delivers a consistent fine edge. Superb Corrosion Resistance : It can keep rust and corrosion at bay even in too wet conditions. You can expect resistance to damage from exposure to harsh elements such as salt, moisture, and humidity. This is attributed to the inclusion of much chromium and manganese, molybdenum, and vanadium.
: It can keep rust and corrosion at bay even in too wet conditions. You can expect resistance to damage from exposure to harsh elements such as salt, moisture, and humidity. This is attributed to the inclusion of much chromium and manganese, molybdenum, and vanadium. Great Wear Resistance : The inclusion of cobalt, a heat-resistant and super-hard metal, makes this steel more resistant to wear than many other steel knives. Even the premium steel edges tend to wear with time, as you use them as well as resharpen them a lot. However, an N690Co edge can last for several years without wear. This is another reason it is preferable to make knives for outdoor activities.
: The inclusion of cobalt, a heat-resistant and super-hard metal, makes this steel more resistant to wear than many other steel knives. Even the premium steel edges tend to wear with time, as you use them as well as resharpen them a lot. However, an N690Co edge can last for several years without wear. This is another reason it is preferable to make knives for outdoor activities. Easy to Sharpen : Although you are ensured of a good cutting edge for a long time, the edge of this steel will dull at some point in time. Resharpening it is an easy job.
: Although you are ensured of a good cutting edge for a long time, the edge of this steel will dull at some point in time. Resharpening it is an easy job. Toughness: It is tough to find a steel type that delivers a good level of hardness and toughness. Well, this is one such steel. Although N690Co may not provide a superior level of toughness, its toughness level is decent.
Comparison with Other Knife Steel Options
N690 vs. S30V
Both of them score almost the same in terms of corrosion resistance and toughness. However, S30V retains an edge for a longer period. It is also costlier. On the other hand, an N690Co edge is easier to sharpen.
N690 vs. VG10
Both are medium-range steels and rank almost the same when it comes to corrosion resistance, toughness, and edge retention.
N690 vs. D2
D2 is another medium-range tool steel. So, it is quite harder than most other steel variants and retains its edge sharp for a long period. However, it falls behind the Bohler steel in corrosion resistance. It does have chromium but is not as sufficient as required to be a type of stainless steel. On the other hand, it is more difficult to resharpen a D2 edge.
N690 vs. 154CM
You can expect decent edge retention as well as corrosion resistance from 154CM. However, N690Co is a better option for rust resistance. In everything else, both score the same.
N690 vs. AUS 8
AUS 8 is a budget steel option and is tagged as a decent all-around performer. It has been in the world of steel for quite some time. While an AUS 8 edge is easier to sharpen and its more affordable knife, N690Co is better at maintaining a sharp edge and keeping corrosion at bay.
N690 vs. M390
The latter steel is known for its better edge retention and rust resistance abilities. However, it is more difficult to resharpen its edge than N690Co. Nevertheless, the level of toughness remains the same for both.
N690 vs. S35VN
Crucible’s S35VN is a high-end steel option. It beats N690 in toughness and edge retention but almost performs at the same level of corrosion resistance as the Bohler steel.
N690 vs. AEB-L
Uddeholm AEB-L is less hard, performing worse in edge retention than the Bohler steel. However, AEB-L excels in toughness and ease of sharpness, whereas the Bohler steel slightly edges it past corrosion resistance.
N690 vs. Elmax
Both steel options perform almost the same in all aspects. However, Elmax wins over the Bohler steel in toughness and edge retention in a close race.
N690 vs. 14C28N
N690 fares better to the Sandvik’s steel in edge retention as it is harder. But in toughness, ease of sharpness, and corrosion resistance, 14C28N wins.
N690 vs. 440C
Both the steels are almost the same performance except for resisting corrosion. The Bohler steel is slightly better than the 440C.
So, is N690 Stainless Steel Good for Your Knives?
Yes, if you are looking for a knife with excellent resistance to corrosion and wear, great edge retention, good toughness, and superb corrosion resistance for working in the bush or wild. It is ideal for working in wet or tough environments, as it is easy to sharpen anywhere. But you will end up paying more than usual, as it is a high-end steel option.
N690 Steel Properties
The N690 Cobalt Stainless Steel is made in Austria by a company known for making steel that can be made into sharp knives and surgical instruments. This steel is very similar to 440C steel, and it has 1.07% carbon content. N440C steel has a carbon content ranging from .95 – 1.07 percent. The N690 is a high-end stainless steel with an alloy that is common in many good knives. It is a durable knife steel that is wear-resistant. It is also a very hard steel.
This steel contains the important martensitic chromium steel with cobalt, molybdenum, and vanadium. This steel can be hardened to a very desirable hardness level. The surface finish is finely ground or polished.
How N690 Compares
N690 is sometimes compared to 440C steel. Many knifemakers do not believe that 440C is the best steel for comparison to the N690. The 440C steel is high-chromium stainless steel. Knives made of 440C steel are easy to resharpen, and it is an excellent steel for its price and performance. (See the top 3 dive knives).
The N690 is a good steel and it is very similar to the VG10 from. One prominent knife maker gave the steel a variety of knife makers’ tests. The results were good. They now have access to large sheets. Knife makers consider the VG10 from Japan to be better steel for comparison than the 440C. Its overall performance and ability to hold an edge is superior. (Read our machete review).
Manufacturing N690 Steel
The N690 grade of steel is produced by a small Austrian steel plant that also provides steel for surgical instruments. The Austrian Bohler Company says that the N690 can be made into hardened cutting tools with excellent edge-holding property, such as knife blades. (See how Balisong Knives are rated).
Favorite Knife Using Bohler N690
The Spyderco Urban Lightweight folder is our hands-down favorite using N690 steel. The unique thing about this knife is that it is one of a few on the market that DO NOT LOCK open! Why would you want that? Well, as knife laws (especially in population centers) continues to tighten, knives that lock open are often seen as more “aggressive” or dangerous, while non-locking knives are still permissible.
The great looks of this knife are very “spydero-ish” with that leaf-shaped blade and textured FRN handle. It has a plain edge with a full flat grind and lots of jimping for your thumb and index finger. There’s a reversible tip-up carry clip.
Conclusion
The N690 steel is so good for making knives that one prominent knife manufacturer uses only N690 steel. This steel has the right carbon content and the right cobalt content. An Austrian steel manufacturer, who is the current source for N690, is considered to be a worldwide leader in their production of N690 steel. Their steel composition is as follows: carbon 1.07%, chromium 17%, cobalt 1.5%, manganese .40%, molybdenum 1.10%, silicon .40% and vanadium .10%. The key to the hardness of N690 is the addition of cobalt in the steel matrix. The cobalt creates uniformity in the structure within the steel. The value of cobalt in a knife blade is it produces a fine edge with excellent edge retention.
Composition Comparison Graph For The Knife Steels AISI 440C, Bohler-Uddeholm N690 Version 4.36
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N690 – The Modern Standard Of A Knife Steel
Among the modern non-powder steels, the martensitic, cobalt-alloyed N690 steel from the Austrian-Swedish company Böhler-Uddeholm AG is currently the most popular. And in the past few years, it has almost superseded its ancestor – classic American 440C steel, which is very similar in composition, but contains more molybdenum and cobalt. According to the manufacturer, the steel is intended for production of cutting tools, including knife blades, cutting surgical instruments, rotary knives for the meat-processing industry, corrosion-resistant roller bearings, pistons for refrigeration machines, etc. The main qualities of N690 are: good strength and ductility, high wear resistance, good machinability, dimensional stability, polishability and high corrosion resistance.
The main advantage of this steel in the production of knives is undoubtedly its balanced composition. This alloy is well resistant to corrosion, can be heat-treated to 60 HRC and retains high impact toughness. However, like 440C, N690 is inferior in sharpness retention to its popular competitors, such as D2 or PGK. The closest to it in composition, apart from 440C, are Japanese VG-10, AUS-10, as well as Russian 95X18. However, more advanced manufacturing techniques and higher quality give Bohler’s products a certain edge. In particular, the use of cryogenic treatment with liquid nitrogen is recommended for hardening. This results in the removal of residual stresses and reduces the steel’s tendency to chip, which is often found on its analogues steels when working hard with rough materials.
This steel is often used on folding knives as well as on various fixed-blade camping and hunting knives. It should be noted, however, that for camping knives it is more suitable, as the steel does not have a high retention of sharpness when used on complex and quite abrasive materials, such as bear skins or large hoofed animals. In camping conditions, on the other hand, the steel performs very well. In a moderate climate this steel does not rust, withstands considerable stresses on the edge of the blade, and can be used for chopping. This steel is also suitable for folding knives, primarily because of its high corrosion resistance and good ductility.
Steel composition:
The carbon (C) content is about 1.08%, it increases the strength of the steel and gives the metal the necessary hardness. Carbon is the most important element of the alloy and the amount of carbon in N690 is the golden mean for a non-powder alloyed metal.
The amount of chromium (Cr) is about 17.30%. Chromium affects the anti-corrosion properties of steel and to some extent increases its wear resistance. The amount of chromium in N690 is very high which guarantees excellent corrosion resistance.
The steel contains a sufficiently high percentage of molybdenum (Mo), about 1.10% – which prevents the fragility and brittleness of the blade and gives it the necessary rigidity.
One of the most important elements in modern steels is vanadium (V), the amount of which in N690 is not high – 0.10%. It is responsible for strength, impact toughness and wear resistance. Vanadium also enhances the properties of chromium and makes the knife steel inert to aggressive chemical environments.
The alloy also contains 1.50% of cobalt (Co). It enhances the mechanical properties of the steel.
It is easy to sharpen N690 steel with TSPROF sharpeners. The maximum hardness of the steel is 60 HRC. This makes it possible to work on such blades practically with any abrasives: aluminium oxide (Boride T2 and PC series), silicon carbide (Boride CS- HD, TSPROF CS), as well as diamond bars of the Venev Diamond Plant. The N690 can be sharpened quickly and is easy to deburr if the quality of the heat treatment is maintained.
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