8Cr14MoV Stainless Steel

8Cr14MoV Stainless Steel

Introducing our 8Cr14MoV stainless steel sheets, perfect for knifemakers at all levels of experience and an easy entry into stainless steel. With very similar properties to AEB-L, 12C27, and 14C28N. Used in Spyderco, Kershaw, and SOG production knives, this steel offers excellent corrosion resistance, very good toughness, very good fine edge holding, and ease of sharpening and polishing. The sheets come in a variety of thicknesses, making them versatile for a range of knife designs. Plus, our 8Cr14MoV steel is easy to work with and can be heat-treated in forge or kiln for optimal performance.

Alloying Content

• Carbon - 0.8% 
• Chromium - 14.0%
• Molybdenum - 0.30%
• Vanadium - 0.25%
• Nickel - 0.20%
• Manganese - 1.0%
• Silicon - 1.0%
• Iron - Balance 

Toughness 9/10 – High toughness, tougher than almost all stainless steels and most carbon and tool steels; suitable for any size of blade from scalpels and razors to machetes and swords.

Edge retention 3/10 – Better edge retention than almost all carbon steels, lower edge retention than most stainless steels. Easily blunted by abrasive wear but extremely good edge stability resistant to chipping and rolling. Lower abrasive wear resistance also means 8Cr14MoV is easier to grind, hand sand, and polish compared to other stainless steels, especially alloys high in vanadium.

Corrosion resistance 7/10 – Adequate resistance to rust, on par with many other common stainless steels like AEB-L, CPM 154 and Nitro-V.

Recommended Heat Treatment

• Coat blade in an anti scale compound or seal in double crimped 321 or 309 grade stainless steel tool wrap
• Austenitise at 1030-1050°C and hold for 10 minutes.
• Quench between aluminium plates, or air quench
• Immerse in liquid nitrogen or a dry ice slurry or place in a kitchen freezer for 1 hour or more – the lower the temperature the more austenite will be converted to martensite and the higher the as-quenched hardness will be
• Temper at 150-230°C for 2 hours, twice, depending on desired hardness