Steel X12MF tool stamping

The best Russian masters of damask knives

It is believed that products made of alloy steel compete with damask knives in the modern market.
But is this really so, and are there craftsmen in Russia today capable of making forged knives that have no equal in quality? It turns out there is. The secret of high-quality damask steel is held by such masters as I. Pampukha and A. Biryukov. Their products are famous not only in Russia, but also abroad. Blacksmith I. Pampukha has been famous in Russia for his knives made of damask and Damascus steel for almost two decades. A master blacksmith in the third generation, he is one of the few who keeps the secret of real damask steel and follows all the necessary technologies for forging, casting and sharpening. His stainless steel knife, made using modern technology, retains the properties of classic steel and is highly resistant to corrosion. His hunting knives, having passed the test for cutting and blade strength upon impact, showed that the damask steel of his production is much superior to the alloy steel of knife blades from leading manufacturing companies. The knives of I. Pampukha also deserve the title of highly artistic execution. For the handles, the master chooses not only such expensive materials as walrus tusk and ebony, but also decorates them with precious stones and mother-of-pearl inlay.

Andrey Biryukov's forge is also famous for its tradition of high-quality damask knives, which are distinguished by high cutting quality and resistance to corrosion. However, not only these qualities, but also quite reasonable prices make them popular among damask steel lovers. Such private craftsmen as S. Baranov, S. Lunev and the Arkhangelsky family make blades from Damascus steel with fairly high quality and reasonable prices, but they are still inferior to the products of I. Pampukha in durability and cutting, and are more suitable for collecting or for use in everyday life. For example, in the kitchen.

Mechanical properties

Steel brand characteristics, properties of steels and alloys

Tool die steel X12MF is used for the manufacture of products of complex shapes with high toughness and mechanical strength - profiling rollers, sections of body dies, hole-punching dies when cutting out their sheet metal, dies, rolling dies, punches/matrices of perforated/notching dies, and other products.

Steel X12MF - domestic analogues

Not sensitive.

cutting

Steel X12MF – chemical composition

Mass fraction of elements no more than, %:

Material X12MF – mechanical properties

Satisfactory.

Hardening – critical diameter, mm

Brand X12MF - exact and closest foreign analogues

Steel X12MF – area of ​​application

Material grade X12MF is used for the manufacture of products of complex shapes with high viscosity and mechanical strength.

Legend

Characteristics and properties of steel x12MF

Steel acquires special characteristics as a result of the addition of alloying elements, when certain temperature conditions, the number of hardenings, and so on are set. The characteristics of x12MF are determined by the special composition of the elements:

• carbon (C): 1.45−1.65;
• vanadium (V): 0.15−0.30;
• silicon (Si): 0.10−0.40;
• copper (Cu): no more than 0.30;
• molybdenum (Mo): 0.40−0.60;
• manganese (Mn): 0.15−0.45;
• nickel (Ni): no more than 0.35;
• phosphorus (P): 11.00−12.50;
• sulfur (S): no more than 0.030.

It is these elements in a given quantity, subject to the standards of the technological process of steel production, that give it the following properties:

• strength;
• increased corrosion resistance, durability;
• cutting ability.

has a number of advantages

Ordinary consumers are of little interest in a set of dry numbers, what the actual characteristics of the x12MF are, but experts immediately see their practical significance. After all, it is the beneficial properties and characteristics of the material that indicate the areas where steel of this quality can be used.

Characteristics and properties of steel X12MF

instrument.guru > Metalworking > Characteristics and properties of X12MF steel

X12MF steel has high strength . Many products are made from it, the most popular application being the making of knives. Such knives are impact resistant and do not require sharpening for a long time. Steel has a high density, which is why the product is so impact resistant.

• Characteristics and properties of steel X12MF
• Alloy corrosion resistance
• Application in industry of steel Х12МФ
• The use of knives made of steel X12MF in everyday life
• Conclusion
• Reviews

To obtain good characteristics, the strength is increased by hardening X12MF. It is necessary to heat the workpiece to forging temperature, punch it with a hammer - then you will get a very dense product. Then they are heated again and cut into other blank products. Then they are normalized and sent for further work. When the required shape of the product is obtained, it is heat treated in a vacuum oven. Thanks to the above characteristics, steel gains strength and resistance to dulling of the blade.

Any steel in its original composition contains iron and carbon. This is a common alloy. Depending on the task at hand, chemical compounds , which affect its further characteristics. Let's look at the main characteristics of Kh12MF steel:

• high product reliability;
• corrosion resistance (with proper care);
• long-term performance;
• maintaining sharp cutting ability for a long time;
• lends itself well to calcination;
• behaves well in hardening;
• wear resistant;
• wide range of industrial applications.

Kh12MF steel received these qualities due to the addition of alloying substances :

• carbon (C): 1.45%−1.65% steel becomes hard and wear-resistant;
• chromium (Cr): 11.00%-12.50% improves cutting properties and wear resistance;
• vanadium (V): 0.15%−0.30% evenly distributes particles, which reduces the sensitivity of steel to overheating. With an excess of V, steel loses its ductility;
• silicon (Si): 0.10%−0.40% increases resistance to tempering during heat treatment;
• copper (Cu): up to 0.30% increases strength;
• molybdenum (Mo): 0.40%−0.60% increases viscosity and hardenability when quenching X12MF. With an excess of Mo, the resistance of the alloy decreases;
• manganese (Mn): 0.15%−0.45% reduces warping when hardening X12MF;
• Nickel (Ni): up to 0.35% prevents the formation of carbides in steel;
• phosphorus (P): 11.00%−12.50% improves the ductility of steel;
• sulfur (S): up to 0.03% improves wear resistance and elasticity.

X12MF steel is manufactured in accordance with Russian GOST and TU, the abbreviation has the following meaning: the letter X means the predominance of the alloyed element chromium, M - molybdenum, F - vanadium. The value of the number indicates the amount of alloying substance content, in this case it is 12% chromium.

Alloy corrosion resistance

If a 16% carbon alloy contains 12% chromium, then such steel almost does not rust. And if the chromium in the alloy reaches 14%, then the steel becomes completely stainless , and corrosion disappears.

The excellent quality properties of X12MF steel allowed most manufacturers and buyers to appreciate the benefits of the alloy. The most popular are various knife products. They are particularly durable and well sharpened, and also have excellent cutting characteristics. But there are also nuances that should be taken into account when using a knife made of this alloy: steel is brittle , so you should absolutely not throw, bend or throw knives.

Although knives hardly rust, they are prone to darkening the blade . If it comes into contact with an acidic or alkaline environment, it must be washed, otherwise stains will appear and a rusty coating will form.

Application in industry of steel Х12МФ

This type of steel is used on an industrial scale mainly in heavy engineering , tool and machine-building production. This steel is used as a blank for:

• bearings;
• cutting tools;
• peepholes for calibrating bar metal;
• forming, bending and body dies;
• stamps for electrical machines, electromagnetic systems of electrical devices;
• hunting knives and so on.

The use of knives made of steel X12MF in everyday life

As practice shows, all new knives used in the kitchen become dull after 2-3 months. Therefore, this type of alloy is so in demand due to its durability and unpretentiousness. In addition, the knife must not only serve for a long time, but also be sharp. Therefore, among male hunters, preference is given to knives made of X12MF steel.

The uniqueness of the alloy lies in its carbon content (up to 16%). Carbon increases the hardness of steel , and its amount affects wear resistance. The higher the carbon penetration level, the longer it can be used in everyday life. But this is one side of the coin. The other is that with an increased carbon content, steel undergoes corrosion. Therefore, 16% is the most favorable option for alloying. But chromium comes to the aid of the metal, making it almost stainless. Strength and durability are the basis for the success of X12MF steel.

Numerous experiments with such a knife gave the following results:

1. Synthetic ropes (d=2 cm) have been cut more than 300 times.
2. Oak bars were cut more than 100 times.
3. Tin products were opened.
4. Numerous tree branches were cut off.
5. Subject to blade strikes against a metal rod.
6. The cutting quality of the knife was tested on the spine and bones of a wild boar

All these tests were carried out on one knife! Not a single notch appeared, the quality of the knife did not decline. Even the newspaper, under its own weight, was cut on it, without tears, in an even strip. Aren't these the wonders of this steel?

Conclusion

X12MF steel undoubtedly has phenomenal characteristics. The high quality properties and characteristics of steel have made it possible to become widespread in many areas of production and everyday life. Proper operation of the product will allow it to be used for a long time (many times longer than other types of steel) in everyday life and production, without losing its main qualities.

Reviews

“I had not previously encountered the operation of a Kh12MF steel knife and had not heard anything about the characteristics of the product. To my surprise, the knife showed its best side. In my work (construction industry), I had to cut ropes, cables and other products more than once.

Having reached 80 cuts, I noticed a slight deterioration in the cutting quality of the knife. I noticed the first signs of wear on the knife after the 140th cut of the cable; hooks began to appear on the cardboard and paper, and the paper began to tear. Only then did I sharpen the knife, and it became like new again! I am very pleased and recommend it to everyone.

It’s a pity that I didn’t have a chance to buy it earlier.”

Roman, Sverdlovsk

“It's good steel, I like it. I often came across knives of poor quality (overheated or underheated). And here everything is as it should be! The only negative is that it is difficult to sharpen. The knife has a correspondingly high price. But a good knife is not cheap.”

Damir, Yoshkar-Ola

“I wouldn’t say that this is a miracle knife, the most beautiful in the world. It is better to keep the blade dry and clean. Dropping it is dangerous, as it risks splitting. When I went to the sea, I took it with me and noticed that dark spots appeared. This is not particularly pleasant, although it did not affect the quality of the knife in any way. If you take proper care of it and protect it from moisture, then there will be no problems. But I think this applies to all high-carbon steels.”

Dmitry, Petrozavodsk

Source: https://instrument.guru/metalloobrabotka/harakteristiki-i-svojstva-stali-h12mf.html

CHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF TOOL STEEL X12MF

• Chromium (Cr). Content 11 – 12.5%. Chrome increases wear resistance and cutting properties. Makes metal resistant to corrosion.
• Carbon (C). Content 1.45 – 1.65%. Gives steel hardness and durability, increases the resistance of the alloy during heat treatment, and also makes it more durable.
• Molybdenum (Mo) - 0.40 - 0.60%, Vanadium (V) - 0.15 - 0.30%. Silicon (Si) - 0.10 0.40%. Steel is hardened in deep layers thanks to this element.
• Manganese (Mn) – 0.15 – 0.45%. Thanks to it, the alloy is less deformed during hardening.
• Nickel (Ni) - no more than 0.35% and Copper (Cu) - no more than 0.30%. The content of elements in the composition of steel prevents carbon from reacting with other components and improves ductility, and also eliminates brittleness during tempering.
• Phosphorus (P) allows metal to be cast smoothly during the annealing stage and improves ductility. Its content for high-quality steel should be no more than 0.030%.

Typical steel composition:

Chemical element C Si Mn Cr Mo V % 1.45-1.65 0.1-0.4 0.15-0.45 11-12.5 0.4-0.6 0.15-0.30

Steels may differ slightly in the content of alloying elements, for example, abroad there are steels with a slightly higher content of molybdenum and vanadium, but, in general, this does not have a serious effect on the properties.

The main alloying elements are carbon and chromium. Due to this, the steel contains a noticeable amount of hard carbides of the M7C3 type based on chromium carbide, which also includes iron, molybdenum and vanadium. Some carbides are of eutectic origin and have fairly large sizes (up to 50 µm) and a lamellar shape. A large amount (22-24%) of hard (HV 1200-1600) carbides provides sufficiently high wear resistance of steel and at the same time deteriorates the mechanical properties, which, nevertheless, in small sections (which is typical for knives) remain quite high.

For example, with a hardness of the order of HRC 61, X12MF has a bending strength of the order of 3000-3400 MPa with an impact strength of the order of 0.25 - 0.45 MJ/m^2, which is higher than that of most carbon and stainless steels, but somewhat worse than that of most secondary-hardening steels and powder steels.

After heat treatment under optimal conditions, 5-6 percent of chromium remains in the solid solution of Kh12MF steel, which ensures fairly high corrosion resistance. Some foreign manufacturers even call it semi-stainless. In fact, the corrosion resistance of X12MF strongly depends on the maintenance regime (in most cases, the harder the steel, the more corrosion-resistant it is) and operating conditions. Chlorides have a particularly strong negative effect on the durability of blades made from X12MF, causing pitting corrosion (this is also typical for high-carbon stainless steels of type 95X18).

The structural features of this steel often lead to the appearance of a distinguishable pattern on the surface of the steel; in the author’s versions, the pattern can be much more contrasting and have a “damask” character. The pattern is a consequence of pronounced carbide heterogeneity and by its nature and intensity an experienced person can tell about the hot deformation and maintenance modes of this blade and to a significant extent predict its properties. Yes, it is precisely because of the large number of large and unevenly distributed carbides that the X12MF takes refining relatively poorly.

Analogs

The most famous foreign analogue of X12MF steel is grade D2. The metal is produced by the Americans; their chemical composition is identical; in the Russian version, the chromium content is even slightly higher. Some sources claim that D2 is many times superior to X12MF in terms of quality characteristics and cutting edge sharpness, but experts say that this is a purely subjective opinion of the “like/dislike” type.

Another foreign analogue is Japanese-made SCD11 steel. It is used for the manufacture of knives that have to be used in conditions of increased wear.

The Japanese analogue X12MF is different:

• strength;
• high level of impact strength;
• excellent cut;
• high carbon content;
• maintaining sharpness even after extreme cuts using power cutting.

Of the Russian steel grades, Kh6VF, Kh12VM, Kh12F1 are considered analogues. But they are more likely to be substitutes with lower characteristics of metal hardness and sharpness. But steel of these grades is resistant to corrosion, which is why knife manufacturers often prefer them.

Areas of application for x12MF steel

The characteristics of x12MF allow us to classify this steel as stamped tool steel. And the entire set of useful properties of this brand determines the main direction of its application - the engineering industry, and to be more precise, heavy engineering. Steel x12MF is used as a starting material for the production of:

• drawing boards;
• portages;
• peepholes for calibrating bar metal for thread rolling;
• bending and forming dies;
• complex sections of body dies (during hardening they should not be subject to significant volumetric changes and warping).

Also, stampings of active parts of electrical machines and electromagnetic systems of electrical devices are made from steel x 12MF. Currently, the use of this steel for domestic purposes, in particular, for the production of hunting knives, is becoming increasingly important.

Use of steel x 12MF for making knives

Perhaps this is why more and more men are choosing knives made of x12MF steel. Then it will be interesting to know what unique characteristics such steel has and why it is better than similar materials?

The main characteristics of x12MF include a set of qualities that are given by the chemical elements present in steel. Without exaggeration, this is a unique alloy containing only 14.5-16.5% carbon.

Carbon makes steel hard, and its amount affects the wear resistance, and therefore the safety of the cutting part of the knife. The higher this indicator, the longer the period you can use the knife without sharpening. Of course, there are always two sides to a coin, and increased carbon content in steel can lead to corrosion.

x12MF steel contains chromium

And that is not all. During the production and calcination of steel, molybdenum is added to it. It is used as an alloying additive in the steelmaking process, which increases abrasion resistance and enhances the interaction of elements with chromium, which increases the hardenability of steel and makes the alloy more uniform.

What benefits do x12MF get from this feature? A blank of steel, which in the hands of a blacksmith has turned into a knife from the tip of the blade to the handle, will allow you to have homogeneous steel, identical in every millimeter

It is very important. After all, the strength of a chain is in its weakest link.

In this case it is not there. Steel x12MF is almost uniform in every millimeter of the blade cut.

This brand also contains vanadium. It is added to all high speed and tool steels because vanadium improves their hardness and strength. Thanks to its use, knives become much more durable.

compensates for the effects of carbon in terms of corrosion

But the most interesting part comes from how steel works in practice. Numerous experiments carried out on knives made from the x12MF brand showed the following results.

During the experiments:

• made more than 300 cuts of synthetic rope with a diameter of 2 cm;
• we tested the strength of the cutting part by making 100 cuts on an oak block;
• opened cans;
• planed wooden branches;
• they hit a metal rod with a blade, and also tested the steel by chopping the spines and bones of a wild boar.

The steel handled all the tests perfectly. As one would expect, no serrations appeared on the blade of the knife. The most amazing thing happened later, when the knife cut the newspaper under its own weight! Without any tears or tears in the paper. This is such a miracle steel. And this after 300 cuts of rope, hitting a wooden and metal block with a dozen open tin cans!

Steel x12MF: main characteristics, applications, reviews

x12MF steel contains more than nine alloying elements, thanks to which it has excellent technical characteristics. In addition, their ratio is calculated in such a way that this brand is chosen as the starting material for the manufacture of various parts from knives to stamping of active parts of electrical machines.

knives made of steel Х12МФ (D2/SKD11)

In the photo: Finnish blade “Vacha” by master Dmitry Zainullin, made with a blade made of X12MF steel.

Initially, steel was intended for the manufacture of cold-formed tools (saws, woodworking knives, cutters, cutters...).

The steel contains 1.4-1.6% carbon and 11-13% chromium, which makes it quite resistant to humid environments, and the amount of iron carbides and proper heat treatment allow this steel to be hardened to 61-63 HRC. Foreign analogues of steel are designated D2 (American) and SKD11 (Japanese). And one of the most famous knife manufacturers, Bob Dozier (USA), worked almost exclusively with this grade of steel, achieving amazing results in its heat treatment.

When and how did damask knives originate?

During his campaign in India, Alexandra the Great especially noted the quality of the knives and combat sabers of the Indian noble warriors. Their blades easily cut through not only armor, but also weapons, and the sharp blades of their knives ripped through chain mail like butter. These were the first mentions of damask knives by Indian craftsmen. The unusual metal of Indian foundries was famous not only for its hardness, but also for its flexibility. Some craftsmen, using copper sulfate, which was added to the steel during processing, obtained white, green and blue blades.

Do not confuse damask steel with Damascus steel; these are completely different metal casting technologies. Damascus steel is more flexible than damask steel, although it is as strong as damask steel. Those who think that the appearance of blades differs from ordinary ones in that they have patterns depicted on them are mistaken. Damask steel casting technology makes it impossible to depict designs on the blade. The main difference between the two types of rare steels can only be determined in practice by an experienced craftsman or an experienced hunter.

As for the appearance of damask steel in Rus', it must be said that foundry as a craft existed in our country back in the 9th-10th centuries. Steel in Rus' was famous for its strength; not only weapons, but also household items were made from it. During the development of industry (XVII-XIX centuries), steelmaking in Russia, namely in Tula, Nizhny Tagil, Verkh-Isetsk, Zlatoust and other centers, made a powerful leap forward. It was at the Zlatoust plant that metallurgist P. Anosov, after much experimentation, found a method for producing damask steel. For many centuries before him, foundry masters tried in vain to learn the secret of making a blade that could easily cut through any steel and not become dull. After the discovery of Peter Anosov, it turned out that damask steel is just ordinary carbon iron, which, after a special method of crystallization, cooling and a certain set of materials, acquired unique qualities.

Types of damask knives

Damask knives, like others, are divided into two categories: with an open (fixed) blade and folding. Damask steel ones are popular not only among knife lovers; they are used by:

• Hunters and fishermen. Hunting knife made of damask steel is one of the most popular categories. They are used not only by professional hunters and fishermen, but also by the military;
• Tourists (especially the category of extreme tourists who like to spend time in the mountains or taiga). In their arsenal you can find not only damask knives with a fixed blade, but also folding ones;
• Simple housewives and professional chefs. Although there are no special kitchen knives made of damask steel, nevertheless, such models cope much better not only with slicing vegetables, but also with cutting meat and fish;
• Collectors and simply weapon lovers.

The latter prefer beautifully decorated handmade damask steel knives, but hunters and professional chefs value them for their high quality of cutting.

Characteristics of steel X12MF

Steel grade X12MF is called tool grade. It has unique technical characteristics, which is largely due to its chemical composition. The variety of chemical elements is strictly defined, and each component has its own functional load.

The chemical composition of X12MF includes:

• carbon;
• molybdenum;
• phosphorus;
• vanadium;
• chromium;
• silicon;
• nickel.

The highest specific indicators are for phosphorus, carbon, and chromium. Carbon is present here within 1.6% and is responsible for the wear resistance and hardness of the metal. Chromium (12%) not only contributes to the steel's resistance to wear, but also enhances the cutting properties of the blade. The same amount – 12% – belongs to phosphorus. This element makes the metal ductile.

Other additions are made to the steel to make it strong, elastic and not susceptible to temperature changes. Thanks to this composition of elements of the periodic table, Kh12MF knife steel can rightfully be called exclusive. It has virtually no analogues among other modern alloys.

According to knowledgeable people, hunting knives made of X12MF steel are distinguished by impeccable strength and durability. The ability of this steel to cut a wide variety of materials is unique, in addition, it is extremely resistant to corrosion. It should be noted that this brand is produced exclusively in strict accordance with GOST standards.

However, manufacturers also take into account the certain whimsical nature of the X12MF in processing. So forged steel X12MF, in fact, is very difficult to forge. Forging is largely complicated by the fact that this metal must be hardened at a temperature of no more than 950 degrees. If the blacksmiths allow the temperature to be exceeded, the alloy becomes brittle. And this will negatively affect the quality of the future steel product.

Many consumers ask which steel is better - X12MF or Damascus. It’s difficult to answer unequivocally here. It is known that Damascus knives are valued all over the world for their strength and elasticity. The steel of the marking in question is somewhat inferior to them in the level of fragility. However, Damascus is always much more expensive, but the X12MF has earned fame due to its functionality. And where the user regrets using a Damascus knife, he always successfully uses cutting weapons made from domestic steel.

X12MF steel for knives: pros and cons

The advantages of X12MF steel include:

• Production is cheap - the composition includes readily available components at low cost, and the metal is often made from recycled materials. As a result, the low cost of knives with a blade made of X12MF steel.
• The performance characteristics of the knife are completely predictable. If you follow all the rules for caring for metal and its use, then even constant exposure to a wide range of temperatures will not reduce its properties.
• The sharpness of the knives is perfect. Optimal sharpening angles coupled with high metal hardness (HRC 63-64 units) provide the edge with high wear resistance. The sharpness of the blade is maintained for a long time even with active use of the tool.
• Maintenance of cutting tools made of X12MF steel is minimal. The fact is that metal practically does not rust, so there is no need to constantly polish it, coat it with any specific coating or constantly soak it with anti-corrosion liquids.

If we talk about the disadvantages, then you should pay attention to the following:

• It is almost impossible to carry out any technological operations with steel related to heat treatment at home. During forging, the metal workpiece cracks, and if heating to the required forging temperature does not occur, the steel will simply crumble.
• To sharpen the cutting edge of the blade, you will need special equipment.
• Bending loads can only be minimal. Therefore, knives with a blade limited in length are made from the steel grade in question.
• With frequent contact of metal with salts and acids, so-called pitting corrosion begins to appear.
• A blade made of X12MF steel will never shine - it will not be possible to polish it. The knife will always look dull.
• In the field, even straightening a knife can become a problem, because the metal is very hard and for this you will need a special tool such as a diamond-coated grinder.

Steel x12MF for knives: pros and cons of use

It is not easy to give more information than there is about the X12MF steel grade, which has been known for 90 years, since the times of the Soviet Union. Over these decades, information about it has been repeatedly given in periodicals in the most expanded format; there is a lot of specialized literature. Used by most of our knife makers. The reason for this popularity is due to the affordability of steel and the stable quality of manufactured products.

X12MF steel was created by Soviet engineers for the needs of Soviet industry in the 30s of the 20th century. Initially intended for metal processing by stamping. According to the purpose, the biochemical component of the alloy and the entire technological process were developed.

Ratnikovsky knife

Later it was found that the characteristics of the alloy already introduced into production corresponded to the production of edged weapons on an industrial scale. Steel X12MF had all the necessary properties:

• appropriate viscosity;
• stable anti-corrosion properties;
• excellent performance on compression, elasticity, hardness and rigidity.

Therefore, in addition to industrial use, the alloy began to be used for knives made for special forces. For example, military personnel of the NKVD troops were armed with these weapons.

Characteristics of knife steel

Before considering the properties of x12MF steel, identifying the pros and cons, it is worth familiarizing yourself with the existing characteristics of the alloy. There are several types of it, which have certain differences in the types of alloying additives, heat treatment, and rolling.

There are five main properties of steel:

1. Hardness - resistance to physical influences.
2. Rigidity - resistance to mechanical damage (chips, cracks). Determined by the hardness of the steel.
3. Anti-abrasive, anti-adhesive resistance. The higher the hardness, the higher the quality of these properties. It also depends on the chemical composition: the higher the content of carbide and tungsten, the better the wear resistance.
4. Anti-corrosion resistance - resistance to rust. This indicator has its disadvantages: it has a bad effect on the properties of the blade tip.
5. Safety from “blockages” - the duration of use of the blade without sharpening.

You need to know that even the best knife steel cannot combine the high properties of all five characteristics. Only a compromise is possible in balancing stiffness with hardness.

This indicator is necessary, because you can make a product with an extremely hard blade that cuts iron, but can break simply by hitting a hard floor. Or the knife will be rigid, withstand strong bends, but will not be able to keep sharpened for a long time.

Worsman knife

Knife steel x12MF has the most optimal characteristics for making high-quality knives, although, along with positive qualities, it has some disadvantages, which we will discuss below.

Steel x12MF

This type of metal is an alloyed tool type. Its excellent technical characteristics are due to its composition. Products made from this alloy have perfectly demonstrated their qualities in all areas of industry where the stamping method is used.

Knives made of steel X12MF

This metal is produced by reusable welding. Alloy composition:

Chemical element%

Thanks to the presence of these elements, the products have excellent characteristics: corrosion-resistant, durable, hard and rigid. X12MF steel is produced in accordance with Soviet GOST standards. Hardening is carried out at + 950° degrees, which gives the steel a hardness of up to 64 HRC units.

This steel is quite difficult to process and is extremely difficult to forge. Heat treatment, including heating to the required temperature, and all other necessary operations are also extremely difficult. Although there are craftsmen who make magnificent products from such an alloy that is difficult to process.

In industrial production it is used in the manufacture of:

• drawing boards;
• dies - flexible forming dies;
• calibration eyes;
• body stamp parts.

Although today this steel is more often used in the manufacture of mainly hunting and tourist knives.

Kitchen steel knives

pros

Blades made of X12MF steel have many advantages.

The main quality of any knife product is hardness and the length of time it retains its sharpness. It is known that a sharp blade becomes dull faster. However, this cannot be said about blades made of X12MF steel. The duration of sharpening is ensured by a carbon concentration of up to 14.5 - 16.5%, which guarantees wear resistance and safety of the blade.

At the same time, these same characteristics reduce the anti-corrosion properties of the product. It would be wrong to classify this steel as completely stainless, but it will not instantly become covered with rust from being in contact with water.

The hardness of knives made of X12MF steel is 50 units, but even with this indicator, cutting properties are retained after chopping hundreds of test objects.

Additional components in the composition that give the following characteristics:

• molybdenum, which contributes to the homogeneity of the metal;
• vanadium, which improves the hardness of the alloy and service life;
• silicon, which increases strength.

Knife manufacturers have repeatedly tested their strength: they used them to chop bones, cut cans, and oak blocks. As a result, the knife does not become dull, and the sharp blade cuts a sheet of paper with the weight of the knife.

All metal knife set

Minuses

With all the advantages of knives made of this steel grade, there is one drawback - relative fragility. The products are not intended for throwing, flexibility testing or similar strength tests. Their main purpose is cutting action.

Knives made of steel X12MF

Kitchen knives made of X12MF steel are rarely made; more often you can find hunting tools on sale. The brand in question is often used for the manufacture of Yakut knives.

"Bakhycha"

This is a small knife with the following characteristics:

• the blade is wide;
• handle 115 mm;
• blade 110x36x4 mm;
• handle material – walnut;
• the shape of the descent on the blade is straight;
• type of sharpening - one-sided.

Cutting knife made of X12MF steel.
The handle has duralumin elements that serve both as decoration and as a device for striking. The tool is lightweight and fits comfortably in your hand. The “Bakhycha” knife is especially often used for skinning animals and for cutting meat and fish.

"Cervical"

Such a knife is considered universal because it can be used to perform various business operations - cutting, making holes in non-solid material, cutting meat/fish.

Product quality characteristics:

• handle length – 110 mm;
• blade parameters – 110x22x4 mm;
• the handle is made of Karelian birch (stabilized);
• The bolster is made of cupronickel;
• the descent on the blade is straight;
• sharpening is one-sided.

"Neck" knife made of steel X12MF

The name "neck" knife was given by the type of wear - a sheath and a loop made of genuine leather allow it to be worn around the neck.

"Hotonoh"

This Yakut knife has a narrow blade 179 mm long, it also has a second name - “tundra”. The blade is made of steel X12MF, the handle is made of Karelian birch. The sharpening is standard one-sided, the descent on the blade is straight. The cutting tool is used in hunting; it is excellent for deboning meat and cutting fish.

The Khotonokh knife is sold together with a sheath made of genuine leather; before sale, it undergoes a test protocol and has a quality certificate. The manufacturer guarantees its product for 12 months of proper use.

"Bychakh"

This is a Yakut tundra knife with a narrow blade and belongs to the category of universal cutting tools. Product characteristics:

• steel hardness – 62 HRC;
• metal – forged, alloy grade X12MF;
• handle length – 135 mm;
• blade parameters – 150x25x4 mm;
• handle material – birch bark and wenge;
• Pritin is made of duralumin;
• sharpening of the cutting edge is one-sided;
• The descent on the blade is straight.

Yakut tundra knife made of steel X12MF

Such a long blade is convenient for cutting animal carcasses and fish; it can also cut soft materials and even make holes.

Steel grade X12MF for knives: pros and cons

Like any other steel, the X12MF grade has its advantages and disadvantages.

Its advantages are:

• high cutting properties;
• reasonable price;
• long-term sharpening retention;
• increased blade strength.

Experts will confirm that steel knives have one peculiarity: a maximally sharpened edge does not hold an edge well and quickly becomes dull. This cannot be said about the X12MF knives. The optimal percentage of carbon provides special resistance to wear, so a product with this marking will remain sharp for a very long time. In camping conditions, you can safely cut down bushes with a knife for a long time, and the blade will still retain good cutting abilities. At the same time, if you still intend to improve the sharpness, then using a stone with diamond chips will speed up the sharpening time.

Steel has its drawbacks. In particular, you should not use a knife made of steel of this marking to cut hard objects (for example, bones) - there is a risk of chips on the blade. Despite a certain level of elasticity, try not to test the knife for bending. The reason for all this is some fragility of the metal.

Disadvantages of U10A alloy

The knife, cast from U10A steel and hardened to 52 hrc, has gained fame as the sharpest; the blade retains its sharpness for a long time, but is afraid of blows. The high hardness of the material makes it difficult to sharpen blades in the field. An excellent solution to the problem would be a combination of U10A alloy in a package with 7ХНМ tool steel. This composite manufacturing technology has been mastered by ZZOSS. The final product has qualities typical of Damascus knives. The only drawback of the U10A-7KhNM alloy is its susceptibility to corrosion. Timely care will prolong the useful properties of the knife.

X12MF steel for knives: composition and characteristics

X12MF steel is created by cold deformation using chromium isomers and inclusions of various elements. The composition includes tungsten, manganese, silicon, as well as vanadium, which on average accounts for up to 0.2% of the total mass. The combination of elements has high strength, which is due to the level of hardenability and hardenability of the alloy.

These features provide phenomenal wear resistance of the steel sheet.

Figure 1. Chrome, Kh12MF steel blank and forged knife from a similar blank

The element underlying the alloying of X12MF is chromium (Figure 1), which makes it possible to use cold deformation. It is used to increase cutting performance, as well as direct resistance to all mechanical damage. In turn, due to this, strength increases, as well as hardenability, which is important for creating dimensional matrices. If the chromium content is in the range of 2.5%, then the strength increases above standard values. Warping during hardening smooths out the manganese admixture. When the chromium content exceeds 12%, then significant disadvantages appear during hardening. They are due to the fact that the carbide heterogeneity of the alloy, together with a significant tendency to destroy the carbides themselves, leads to a loss of strength and a decrease in service life. Therefore, when creating the X12MF, manufacturers try not to exceed the 12% mark.

Figure 2. Elements used to make steel: tungsten (1), vanadium (2), molybdenum (3), manganese (4), silicon (5)

If we consider the entire list of elements applicable for production, we get (Figure 2):

• Tungsten reinforcement element. Increases durability, ensures wear resistance, hardness of products, and significantly increases cutting properties when sharpening;
• Hardening vanadium. Hardening of Kh12MF steel is carried out with the participation of vanadium, which has a high density. This element and its carbide directly reduce the compliance of die steels with respect to overheating and greatly increases the resistance of Kh12MF to hardenability. Just tenths of an element affect the compliance, ductility, and strength of steel sheets;
• Hardenability-improving molybdenum. Ultimately, viscosity increases due to strengthening of bonds between elements. The negative aspect of including molybdenum in the composition is that molybdenum has a detrimental effect on scale resistance. Its content in this alloy ranges from up to 2% of the total mass maximum;
• Stabilizing balance of warpage and overheating level manganese;
• Silicon necessary to maintain the hardenability process. This element serves as the basis for increasing durability.

Figure 3. Folding knives made of steel X12MF

Folding knives made of X12MF steel (Figure 3) are reliable tools for use in various fields (of course, for legal purposes). They are suitable for both outdoor activities and for use at home and in the kitchen. Users actively choose X12MF steel, the properties of which can satisfy all the wishes for a knife. What is the reason for this? High resistance to corrosion, long service life, cutting efficiency are solid competitors to other alloys that form the basis of knives. After all, not all types of steel currently manufactured are hardened at 950 degrees Celsius, which means they acquire a hardness of about 65 HRC units. However, the forging process is quite difficult. Initially, this type was used in production, electrical engineering, and various mechanized devices. But recently there has been a strong trend towards making knives from this steel. The end consumer especially liked hunting models, which are somewhat different from the second most popular - tourist models (Figure 4).

Figure 4. Hunting (left) and tourist (right) knives made of X12MF steel

Selecting the correct temperature, as well as parameters according to the technology map, requires sensitive attention from the manufacturer. Even taking into account all the complexities of the production process, there are still craftsmen who make knives and blades from this steel in industrial and non-industrial conditions. How applicable is X12MF steel for knives? We will consider the pros and cons of products made from this material further.

Tool steel X12MF

Tool steel X12MF has anti-corrosion characteristics. It is durable and does not require constant sharpening. In Soviet times, technological knives, cutters and dies were made from X12MF. Nowadays, this material is used to create high-quality knives and parts for mechanical engineering.

Steel X12MF

Features of steel

The main products made from X12MF alloy are knife blades. And the specific addition of metals to the alloy determines its place of application. For example, chromium is added to the alloy discussed in this article. As a percentage of other metals in this grade, steel is only twelve percent.

Many people are interested in whether X12MF steel rusts or not. Yes, the knife is prone to rust in the kitchen, where the knife will constantly be in dampness, it has no place .

X12MF steel is more suitable for hunters. Since the addition of chromium increases the wear resistance and cutting properties of the product.

With proper care, X12MF will not rust for quite a long time. And the decoding of the name of the metal alloy means the following:

• X – addition of chromium, where the number 12 means its percentage among all other metals;
• M – it contains molybdenum;
• F – vanadium.

Chemical composition

This X12MF steel is very diverse in composition and is rich in different types of metals. It has no analogues among other alloys. The following is the chemical composition of X12MF:

• Chrome – 12%. Added to improve cutting properties and wear resistance.
• Molybdenum - 0.6%. The viscosity and hardenability of the metal increases. If the concentration is too high, the durability decreases.
• Carbon - 1.6%. Gives hardness. Steel becomes wear-resistant.
• Vanadium - 0.3%. Reduces the sensitivity of steel to overheating.
• Silicon – 0.4%. Provides resistance to tempering during heat treatment.
• Copper – 0.3%. Strengthening.
• Manganese – 0.45%. When manganese is added, the alloy is less subject to warping when it is hardened.
• Nickel 0.35%. Prevents the formation of carbides.
• Phosphorus – 12%. Adds plastic qualities.
• Sulfur – 0.3%. Improves elasticity.

The percentage is indicated in the maximum values ​​​​of its presence in steel. In fact, it can range from one tenth to four tenths of a percent of a given metal content. Each of the metals affects a certain property of X12MF.

Mechanical characteristics

In terms of mechanical characteristics, X12MF steel has the following advantages:

• High strength.
• Good cutting ability.
• High corrosion resistance.
• Durability.

Alloy steel X12MF is created in strict accordance with GOST and TU requirements.

Knife "Chef"

Technological properties

Steel is an alloy of carbon and iron. And this alloy is made by adding many more metals, which were listed above. Therefore, X12MF is very capricious in processing. Characteristics of X12MF:

• Hard to forge.
• It is subjected to complex heat treatment, since it is necessary to maintain extremely precise temperatures of tempering, holding and other parameters.
• It is hardened at a temperature of 950 degrees Celsius. Overheating should not be allowed. Since excessive temperature greatly affects the structure of the alloy, making it more brittle.
• Has a hardness of up to 64 HRC.

Despite the fact that it is very difficult to make piece goods from this steel, there are still blacksmiths who make excellent knives. Thanks to the properties of steel, especially the presence of chromium (X12), the resulting products are famous for the strength and sharpness of the blade. These characteristics of Damascus steel knives allow you to instantly cut the flesh of a killed animal. For a hunter, this is simply an excellent weapon.

Due to its physical properties, this grade of stainless steel X12MF is not intended for throwing or testing for bending. If during production the rules of hardening and maintaining temperature accuracy were not followed, then such an oversight will have a bad effect on the hardness of the alloy. The blade of the knife can be easily broken.

Knife "Navaja"

A product made from this alloy will serve its owner for a long time if two conditions are met:

• All technologies were followed during production.
• The owner carefully monitors and cares for his instrument.

And also X12MF can:

• Easy to carry out planing and polishing work (used in woodworking factories).
• Does not require frequent sharpening.
• It can easily withstand 40-degree frosts and the same heat.
• When the metal is exposed to high temperatures, the steel does not deteriorate or warp.
• Long service life. This property of this steel is due to the presence of vanadium.
• A person can sharpen the tool himself.
• Has resistance to corrosion.
• It does not break if the alloy is homogeneous in structure.

This type of steel and products made from it are used both in everyday life and in industry. In everyday life, X12MF is famous for its excellent and wear-resistant knife blades. Knives made of this steel can be used both at home and while hunting or fishing. Sharp steel easily cuts through delicate green shoots, reeds, and thin branches. The main thing is not to get carried away and not to cut bones with it, and not to use it as an ax. Because chips then appear on its canvas. This will ruin not only the aesthetics of the blade, but also its functionality.

Knife made of steel Х12МФKnife “Marmot”

Knives made from X12MF tool steel require a special approach to caring for them. The knife blade is treated with mineral oil. To sharpen or straighten it, fine-grained diamonds, leather belts and GOI paste are used. The correct sharpening angle is the basis for its sharpness and wear resistance. It is equal to thirty-five degrees in tilt.

In addition, below are some recommendations for caring for such knives:

• After use, the knife is washed under running water. Then it is wiped with a paper napkin. Because this particular product absorbs moisture well, unlike fabric. And the blade should under no circumstances be connected for a long time to water elements for apartment buildings. Since it contains chlorine, which will definitely interact with this alloy. The blade will become stained and may darken.
• In order for it to regain its original appearance, it must be lubricated with a special compound, which is sold in a gun store.
• It needs to be polished once every four months.
• Do not use a dishwasher to clean it. Otherwise, the blade may become dull or even damaged.
• It must be stored in special knives that came with it when sold.
• The wooden handle must be treated with antiseptics so that it is not damaged by bacteria and fungi, for which it is a favorite food. And, if the handle is metal, then it is necessary to eliminate chips and scratches. If rust appears in these places, it will soon reach the blade.

And in order to prove the advantage of this product made of X12MF tool steel over other products, numerous experiments were carried out. Data from which will be disclosed below. The Damascus steel blade has proven itself to be the best.

• This product was used to cut synthetic fiber ropes with a diameter of two centimeters.
• Oak bars were cut more than a hundred times.
• Numerous cans have been opened with this knife.
• The spine and bones of the boar were cut with this blade.
• The blade, under its pressure, cut the newspaper sheet lengthwise.

Bearing made of steel X12MF

Many products made from this alloy were tested. It has proven itself to be the most advanced alloy ever produced by mankind.

Industrial Applications

X12MF steel has found its application in industry. It is necessary where tools such as:

• Drawing boards.
• Forming dies.
• Bending dies.
• Bar metal calibration eyes for thread rolling.
• Sections of complex design of body dies.
• Dies for active parts of electrical machines are also made from it.
• Parts of electromagnetic systems of electrical devices.
• Bearings.
• Profile rollers.

ESSENCE OF THE STEEL PRODUCTION PROCESS

Die tool steel is difficult to machine. It is necessary to strictly follow the quenching and tempering technology in order to obtain a high-quality alloy.

The metal is smelted in electric furnaces, open-hearth furnaces and oxygen converters, strictly maintaining temperatures up to 950 0C. If the temperature regime is violated, the steel will become brittle when cooled and will crumble during forging. Forging temperature 850 – 1140 0C.

The crystal lattice becomes stable after quenching and annealing. Hot metal releases internal tension and becomes solid.

X12MF steel is hardened and tempered several times to make it as strong as possible. The steel sheet is then hammered to give the alloy stability. The endurance of steel is 650 – 800 MPa.

The sheets are fired in a vacuum furnace and sent to metallurgical plants in the form of rolled products, wheels, ground and calibrated rods, strips, sheets and plates, blanks, slabs, forgings and forged blanks.

X12MF steel is cast exclusively in production foundries.

How I hardened a knife from X12M/X12MF

Hi all. Finally got around to writing a post about how I hardened my knife, the one in the photo below.

First, a few words about steel. X12M is the same X12MF, in the latter they simply expanded the tolerance for impurities; in terms of the main alloying elements they are identical. It is the most characteristic steel of the group, used for the manufacture of tools with increased wear resistance, which work without significant dynamic loads, and is used by certain representatives of society as a material for knives. The foreign analogue is D2 steel.

High wear resistance of steel is ensured by a high content of carbide phase - about 16-17%. The higher the content of carbides and the higher their hardness (in this steel, Cr7C3 carbide has a hardness of about 1500HV), the higher the wear resistance. Check out how beautiful and incomprehensible the picture is.

This is the structure of hardened X12M, a martensitic matrix and carbides distributed in it. In my case, after quenching and tempering, the martensite hardness came out to 62HRC, or 739HV for comparison with the hardness of carbides.

An interesting thing is that the wear resistance of high-speed cutting R6M5 at low operating temperatures is lower than that of X12M, since the main carbide included in its composition has a hardness of 1300HV, versus 1500HV for X12M, I think you understand the logic.

Now about heat treatment and there are two options. The first is hardening to primary hardness, when heating is carried out to temperatures of 1000-1030 degrees. (directory Structural Materials, edited by B. N. Arzamasov) followed by low tempering, high hardness is obtained immediately after hardening. The second option is hardening to secondary hardness from temperatures of 1080-1100 degrees. (Tool steels Yu. A. Geller) at ≈54 HRC, followed by a series of high temperings of 500-520 degrees, designed to raise this hardness to values ​​of 60 or more HRC.

Hardening to primary hardness is used most often and provides high mechanical properties and wear resistance. Hardening for secondary hardness is carried out when increased tempering resistance is required from the tool, i.e. it works with heating, and for a knife this is not particularly important.

And so I choose hardening for primary hardness, all that remains is to decide on the temperature. And here the complexity, in different sources the range is slightly different, for Geller it is 990-1010, for Arzamasov 1000-1030, and for Gulyaev it is generally closer to the hardening temperatures for secondary hardness 1060-1080. There is no one universal temperature, it all depends on the properties we want to obtain.

The properties will be determined primarily by hardness (62-65HRC) - the higher it is, the greater the wear resistance, grain size (no larger than number 9) - the finer it is, the higher the mechanical properties and the amount of retained austenite (15-20%) - the The more it is, the lower the hardness and strength, but the higher the viscosity.

In general, after much mental anguish and thanks to Arzamasov’s reference book, I chose a temperature of 1025 degrees, look at the table, there’s a lot of hardness, the grain is fine, although the residual austenite can be up to 20%, but it’s even possible that this will be a plus. Austenite increases ductility and I hope its presence will reduce the fragility of the cutting edge.

Higher heating, in my case, is not needed, the hardness and mechanics will drop, the only thing that will increase is the resistance against tempering. Heating below 990 - 10000C will not create optimal alloying of the base, and will also not allow to fully dissolve the smallest carbides present at the grain boundaries and reducing the mechanical properties, such as those in the photo below.

For such steels, due to low thermal conductivity, intermediate heating of 800-850 degrees is used.

The exposure time at the final temperature was 4 minutes, this should be enough, the minimum thickness of my blade is slightly less than 1 mm. Cooling in mineral oil.

I decided to test the selected mode on a sample first.

As a result, the hardness came out to 64HRC, the grain size was approximately number 12 according to GOST 5639, there was no visible decarburization from the surface, which means the mode is working, and the blade needs to be taken into account.

Yes, this is what fine grain in steel looks like.

In general, the blade came out after hardening even a little harder than the sample, approximately 64-65HRC.

The grain is also fine, the structure is beautiful. If there was a question about how I looked at the grain, sooooo... I polished the area on the blade with my hands, etched it in acid and put it on a microscope, don’t break the knife to see the quality of the hardening. In general, it would be more convenient to tie a witness sample to a knife and harden it together, so that later you can mock the sample, cut it and etch it. Structure after quenching and tempering, for connoisseurs

The final operation will be tempering; it partially relieves quenching stress and increases strength. I chose the holiday temperature again according to the table from the textbook, here it is, choose what you want.

I ended up with 62 HRC, which is not that bad.

It is worth mentioning about the surface, without protection when heated, it oxidized, and in some places significantly, then I sanded for a long time, perhaps next time I will dip the blade in a boiling saturated aqueous solution of borax to create a protective film.

Well, the result of all my research was the knife in the first photo, I don’t know what I’ll use it for.

It would be interesting to hear how you harden this steel? Maybe I did it completely wrong)

Well, here’s a video where I tell you everything in detail

Advantages of the alloy

The physical and chemical properties of 50x14mm steel give the knives made from it excellent qualities. She has:

• Corrosion resistance, especially to chlorine-containing environments. The alloy acquires this property due to the presence of alloying elements: chromium, molybdenum and silicon. The addition of chromium leads to the formation of an oxide film on the surface of the metal, which protects it from rust. Steel containing more than 13% chromium is called “stainless,” which indicates its resistance to corrosion. Molybdenum and silicon enhance the effect of chromium in the alloy, making its composition more uniform.
• Resistant to weak alkalis and some acids. The metal acquires this quality due to the admixture of molybdenum. It makes steel resistant to aggressive environments.
• Good resistance to impact loads, which the alloy acquires due to the presence of molybdenum, which reduces the fragility and fragility of the blade.
• Sufficient hardness, which allows you to sharpen knives yourself and use them for a long time without sharpening. Steel acquires this property due to the admixture of manganese, which gives the metal a grainy structure. This helps to increase the strength of the blade, its rigidity and wear resistance. Manganese and silicon impurities also improve the strength and rigidity of steel.
• The ability to easily (without deterioration of properties) tolerate elevated temperatures. Molybdenum helps to increase heat resistance.
• Despite all the above characteristics, steel grade. 50x14mf has an affordable price, which can also be considered an advantage.

X12MF

X12MF Order >>

General information about the material X12MF

Mechanical properties of X12MF

Mechanical properties depending on test temperature

Temperature of critical points X12MF

Physical properties of X12MF

st.st.45HN2MFA 85x85 square 5tn

st.48ХН3МА 200х200 square 45tn

st.5ХНМ square 125; 130; 160; 180;

st.35ХМ f860-f1250 forgings 20tn

st.40Х f610-f1240 forgings 20tn

st.40ХН f450-f1230 forgings 30tn

• ROLLED METAL Rolled metal 12ХН3А, 12Х2Н4А, 20ХН3А, 18Х2Н4МА, 20ХГНР, 30ХГСН2А, ОХН1М, 40ХН2МА, 30ХМА, 15ХМ, 15Х5М, 12Х1МФ, 12Х2MVFA, 25Х1МФ, 2 5Х2М1Ф, 38Х2МУА
• Advantages Shipment volumes: from 1 piece to a complete set of cars and wagons. Flexible pricing policy. Minimum markup, maximum turnover, deferred payment.
• Supply of steel grades Supply of rolled steel of various grades of steel: 15xm, 15x5m, 12x1mf, 25x1mf, 38x2mua, 25x13n2mf, 30x2GSMF, 30xgsa, 65g, 25xgt, shx15 and other steel grades.
• Contacts Sales Manager Director Needs “InMet” will buy rolled metal. Current needs are published in this section. Tel. purchasing department: (351)723-06-81

conclusions

If you primarily need toughness and strength in a knife, the knife is intended to be used for batoning, opening cans, digging around fire pits, etc. and money is short, look towards the good old carbon. It's cheap and cheerful. If your budget allows, look towards CPM3V or PGK powder steels.

If you prefer to kayak or are a fisherman, then naturally look towards stainless steel. Constant dampness in a boat or while fishing will quickly cause the knife to bloom in a lush red color. If you don’t have a lot of money, look towards domestic stainless steel, and if your budget is larger, then it’s better to choose N690.

If you prefer aggressive cutting, and for a long time, then powder steels are your choice. At the moment they are more than available, at least the basic brands. At Hansa, you can easily select a strip of steel of interest and negotiate with the craftsman about heat treatment and production of the entire knife. A designer knife from Elmax or M390 can confidently fit into a budget of 6-8 thousand, and this is a very good choice. Monsters cost closer to 15-18 thousand per knife.

If you like beautiful patterns on the blade, your choice is Damascus and damask steels; their consumer properties are very much inferior to modern tool steels, but they can be beautiful. Just remember that real damask steel costs as much as an airplane wing.