{"product_id":"cpm-magnamax-stainless-steel-flat-bars","title":"CPM MagnaMax - Stainless Steel Flat Bars","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta content=\"text\/html; charset=utf-8\" http-equiv=\"CONTENT-TYPE\"\u003e \u003cmeta content=\"OpenOffice 4.1.9  (Win32)\" name=\"GENERATOR\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin-bottom: 0cm;\"\u003eCPM MagnaMax - Stainless Steel Flat Bars\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin-bottom: 0cm;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\"\u003eMagnaMax is supplied hot rolled and annealed, like other premium powder-metallurgy blade steels in its class — soft and workable in the annealed state for cutting, grinding, drilling, and filing, with some thickness variance batch to batch.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\"\u003eMagnaMax is the steel Larrin Thomas first conceived back in 2019, while developing MagnaCut, as a higher-wear-resistance companion he originally called \"stainless 10V.\" It's built to match the toughness and edge retention of non-stainless grades like K390, Vanadis 8, and CPM-10V, while keeping the same excellent corrosion resistance that made MagnaCut famous. It isn't meant to replace MagnaCut so much as sit alongside it as the higher-edge-retention sibling in the same steel family.\u003cspan class=\"inline-flex\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\"\u003eMagnaMax was officially introduced in 2025 and went on sale through Niagara Specialty Metals' online store starting May 1, 2026. Production has been split across companies since Crucible's closure: powder atomization is now handled by Erasteel or Carpenter Technology, while NSM handles final rolling and distribution of the sheet steel used by knifemakers. \u003cspan class=\"inline-flex\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eComposition\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\"\u003eA full datasheet hasn't been publicly released yet. What's known: MagnaMax uses the same general compositional approach as MagnaCut, but with increased carbon, niobium, and vanadium to boost wear resistance. The result is roughly double the hard carbide volume of MagnaCut — about 16%, versus MagnaCut's 8% — made up primarily of fine vanadium and niobium carbides rather than larger chromium carbides. Thomas's design approach was that smaller carbides allow more carbide volume to be packed in while keeping toughness at practical levels.\u003cspan class=\"inline-flex\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePerformance Characteristics\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul class=\"[li_\u0026amp;]:mb-0 [li_\u0026amp;]:mt-1 [li_\u0026amp;]:gap-1 [\u0026amp;:not(:last-child)_ul]:pb-1 [\u0026amp;:not(:last-child)_ol]:pb-1 list-disc flex flex-col gap-1 pl-8 mb-3\"\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eToughness \u003c\/strong\u003e— MagnaMax trades some toughness for its wear-resistance gains, but matches the toughness of high-end stainless grades like CPM S35VN and CPM 154, and independent testing found its toughness very similar to non-stainless tool steels K390 and Vanadis 8. It's still roughly twice as tough as M390, just not in the same class as MagnaCut. \u003cspan class=\"inline-flex\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eEdge retention \u003c\/strong\u003e— This is where MagnaMax pulls ahead of MagnaCut. With roughly double MagnaCut's carbide volume, edge life is drastically improved, and the difference shows up clearly when cutting abrasive materials like cardboard or rope. \u003cspan class=\"inline-flex\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"inline-flex w-1\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"inline-flex\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCorrosion resistance\u003c\/strong\u003e — MagnaMax shares the same high corrosion resistance as MagnaCut, making it suitable for the same marine, outdoor, and kitchen applications. \u003cspan class=\"inline-flex\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHeat Treatment\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\"\u003eBased on Larrin Thomas's published testing (not yet a finalized factory datasheet):\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul class=\"[li_\u0026amp;]:mb-0 [li_\u0026amp;]:mt-1 [li_\u0026amp;]:gap-1 [\u0026amp;:not(:last-child)_ul]:pb-1 [\u0026amp;:not(:last-child)_ol]:pb-1 list-disc flex flex-col gap-1 pl-8 mb-3\"\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003eBest hardness-toughness balance generally comes from austenitizing at 2150-2200°F (1175-1230°C) with tempering at 350-450°F (175-230°C). \u003cspan class=\"inline-flex\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/knifesteelnerds.com\/2026\/04\/30\/how-to-heat-treat-magnamax-steel\/\" class=\"group\/tag relative h-[18px] rounded-full inline-flex items-center overflow-hidden -translate-y-px cursor-pointer\" target=\"_blank\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"relative transition-colors h-full max-w-[180px] overflow-hidden px-1.5 inline-flex items-center font-small rounded-full border-0.5 border-border-300 bg-bg-200 group-hover\/tag:bg-accent-900 group-hover\/tag:border-accent-100\/60\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"text-nowrap text-text-300 break-all truncate font-normal group-hover\/tag:text-text-200\"\u003eKnife Steel Nerds\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"transition-all opacity-[0%] h-[17px] absolute right-[0.5px] rounded-r-full flex items-center px-1.5 bg-gradient-to-r from-accent-900\/0 via-accent-900\/100 via-30% to-accent-900\/100 group-hover\/tag:opacity-[100%]\"\u003e\u003csvg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"14\" height=\"14\" fill=\"currentColor\" viewbox=\"0 0 256 256\" class=\"transition-all group-hover\/tag:ease-out duration-[500ms] ease-in text-accent-100 group-hover\/tag:scale-[100%] scale-[80%] group-hover\/tag:opacity-[100%] opacity-[0%] -mr-[2px]\"\u003e\u003cpath d=\"M200,64V168a8,8,0,0,1-16,0V83.31L69.66,197.66a8,8,0,0,1-11.32-11.32L172.69,72H88a8,8,0,0,1,0-16H192A8,8,0,0,1,200,64Z\"\u003e\u003c\/path\u003e\u003c\/svg\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003eFor lower hardness with maximum toughness, 2100°F (1150°C) paired with a 450°F (230°C) temper performed best. \u003cspan class=\"inline-flex\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003eFor maximum hardness, use 2150-2250°F (1175-1230°C) with the minimum 300°F (150°C) temper.\u003cspan class=\"inline-flex\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003eThomas has also noted that large-scale industrial heat treating (vacuum furnace, pressurized gas quench) differs somewhat from the small-furnace\/plate-quench process used in his own testing, so results may vary if you're sending blades out versus heat treating in-house. \u003cbr\u003eOur own heat treating service is capable of doing the small batch heat treating that best services this steel. \u003cspan class=\"inline-flex\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRecommended Working Hardness\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\"\u003eMagnaMax typically heat-treats to 63-65 HRC — noticeably higher than MagnaCut's usual 60-62 HRC range, consistent with its higher carbide volume and wear-resistance focus.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Niagara Specialty Metals","offers":[{"title":"2.6mm \/ 38 x 914mm","offer_id":41269885468736,"sku":"CPMMAGNAMAX-094-1.5-36","price":329.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true},{"title":"2.6mm \/ 50 x 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914mm","offer_id":41269885796416,"sku":"CPMMAGNAMAX-156-6-36","price":1529.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"5.2mm \/ 38 x 914mm","offer_id":41269885861952,"sku":"CPMMAGNAMAX-187-1.5-36","price":489.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true},{"title":"5.2mm \/ 50 x 914mm","offer_id":41269885894720,"sku":"CPMMAGNAMAX-187-2-36","price":635.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true},{"title":"5.2mm \/ 150 x 914mm","offer_id":41269885927488,"sku":"CPMMAGNAMAX-187-6-36","price":1839.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true},{"title":"6.9mm \/ 38 x 914mm","offer_id":41269885993024,"sku":"CPMMAGNAMAX-250-1.5-36","price":815.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true},{"title":"6.9mm \/ 50 x 914mm","offer_id":41269886025792,"sku":"CPMMAGNAMAX-250-2-36","price":1069.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true},{"title":"6.9mm \/ 150 x 914mm","offer_id":41269886058560,"sku":"CPMMAGNAMAX-250-6-36","price":2389.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0549\/7661\/0368\/files\/magnamax.png?v=1788566586","url":"https:\/\/ausmakersupplies.com.au\/products\/cpm-magnamax-stainless-steel-flat-bars","provider":"Aus Maker Supplies","version":"1.0","type":"link"}