Why knives made of steel 65x13 are so popular in Russia, we understand the pros and cons

Any steel has certain properties inherent only to a specific brand. And metallurgists try to make every effort to obtain the highest and highest quality characteristics of the material. But, since it is not entirely possible to obtain an ideal steel structure, it all comes down to selecting the optimal capabilities for certain purposes. After all, everyone knows that a knife made of soft steel is easier to sharpen than one made of harder steel. Hard steel, on the contrary, is highly resistant to mechanical stress.

With a complex chemical composition, the production process of steel itself slows down, which is why the cost of the finished product increases.

The quality of a knife may not always depend on a specific grade of steel. High-quality heat treatment of the product plays a big role here . The most popular steel for making knives is considered to be 40x13 steel. It has all the necessary properties and characteristics.

Characteristics

The complexity of the chemical composition affects the speed of the steel manufacturing process, which leads to an increase in the cost of the product.

Sometimes the quality of a knife depends not on a specific brand, but on the quality of heat treatment. 40x13 steel is just that case. It is one of the most popular brands and has fairly stable characteristics.

The name “medical steel” is firmly attached to 40x13 steel.

Medical scalpels have always been made from it, so the 40x13 brand has always been considered the best. This opinion was cemented due to the fact that it is stainless steel, and the excellent cutting of the scalpel was achieved due to a very thin blade and razor sharpening.

Advantages

Main advantages:

1. High heat resistance.
2. Corrosion resistance.
3. Absolutely does not rust.

Does not corrode even in sea water. This property is used by manufacturers of diver knives. But the instruments still need good care. If the blade is kept in constant dampness, it will slowly become rusty.

Flaws

Steel 40x13 for knives has not only advantages, but also disadvantages. The cutting edge is relatively soft, can be sharpened well, but quickly becomes dull. For this reason, it is not recommended for tourists or hunters to purchase knives made of 40x13 steel, since it will have to be sharpened often.

A definite disadvantage is that the knives are very flexible; they are not recommended for cutting hard surfaces.

And one more quality that does not speak in favor of 40x13 is instability to aggressive environments and high temperatures. Therefore, use in welding is strictly prohibited.

40X13 does not corrode.

Processing steel 40Х10С2М

Forging steel 40Х10С2М.
It is possible to obtain granular pearlitic steel through proper heat treatment. Thanks to it, it is possible to produce high-strength knives. They are also of good quality. Properly processed steel can even make a sword or saber of fairly good strength.

Often private foundries even make katanas.

Battle fans with blades or sai blades are made from this steel; it feels great in such crafts. The composition of EI 107 is very resistant to corrosion. It also withstands weak acid solutions and weak alkali solutions.

High impact strength will not allow the product to break quickly. The good heat resistance and heat resistance of the alloy is used in seemingly completely unfounded areas. Electric welding of parts made of EI 107 alloy will simply not work. The seam will not be completely strong.

But the masters of their craft found a way out. For proper welding of products, they are preheated to 250 °C. And after welding, the parts are allowed to cool slowly without being removed from the oven.

Application area

The application of the alloy is quite wide. Currently, it is used to make kitchen knives at low cost. Housewives like them because they are easy to care for and, if you follow basic rules, they hardly rust. The knife blades are sharp and easy to sharpen. You can cut any food: fish, meat, fruits, vegetables. The tools are completely safe to use.

In addition, the following are made from 40x13:

• medical scalpels;
• measuring devices;
• bearings;
• springs;
• manicure tools;
• compressor parts and many other household items.

Alloy knives are used by fishermen, divers, tourists, divers and simple cooks. Some people prefer to have souvenir blades that have a beautiful appearance.

Parts made of steel 40Х13.

The main nuances and stages when forging a knife

Among the many [metal products] there is a special category - these are knives, the making and cutting of which becomes not just work, but a serious hobby.
To make such an item yourself will require serious skills and careful selection of materials. We will tell you how to make or forge a knife at home with your own hands in this article. Important! Article 223.4 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation prohibits the independent production of weapons and objects that can be used as weapons. The material is provided for informational and educational purposes. The sanction under this article is up to 2 years in prison.

Chemical composition of steel

• the amount of carbon (C) in the alloy is from 0.36 to 0.45 percent;
• the other component is silicon (Si) . In percentage terms, its amount does not exceed 0.8. The same amount of manganese (Mn) ;
• chromium (Cr) gives corrosion resistance . 12 to 14 percent is an excellent figure;
• not without impurities in the form of sulfur (S) - up to 0.025%, and phosphorus (P) - up to 0.030%;

Explanation of markings

EI 107 steel is produced in Zlatoust. The type of supply is varied: round and square rods, long products, castings and strips, circles of various diameters.

The letters in the alloy under the new marking 40Х10С2М indicate the presence of the following elements: chromium, silicon and molybdenum. The numbers after the letters give an estimate of the content of these elements in percentage quantitative composition:

• X (chrome) – 9-10.5%;
• Si (silicon) – 1.9-2.6%;
• M (molybdenum) – 0.7-0.9%.

Technological properties

Steel gains its resistance to corrosion after undergoing a complex technological process, which consists of special hardening. During this action, complete dissolution of the carbide is noted, resulting in anti-corrosion protection. The decrease in corrosion resistance is associated with a low chromium content in the carbide or a decrease in the melting point to 6000C. If the technological process is carried out correctly, this phenomenon should not occur.

Steel melting is carried out in open furnaces or induction furnaces.

The temperature ranges from 850 to 11000C. This value is sufficient for complete deformation. To avoid the formation of cracks, the technological process includes heating and cooling modes, carried out alternately.

Molten steel 40Х13.

Heat treatment

Due to the high chromium content, 40x13 steel must be heated at a high temperature, and it must be heated very precisely.

Proper hardening gives high hardness (58HRC), but at the expense of ductility. It is believed that the hardness of 40x13 should be in the range from 53 to 56 HRC. Values ​​exceeding this threshold are either greatly overestimated, or the hardening technology was violated. This action makes the steel too brittle.

Description of alloy EI107

Steel EI 107 is classified as stainless steel, martensitic class. A special phase called martensite, which is formed when steel is cooled at a rate above critical. During this process, the alloy gains high hardness.

When manufacturing products, this property must be taken into account. Metal processing under high pressure or welding necessarily includes an annealing operation at a temperature of 860 °C. This process involves gradual cooling in an oven.

Forging the alloy begins at a temperature of 1200 °C and ends at 900 °C. At the end of annealing, the products reach a hardness of 57-59 HRC. The tempering operation is absolutely necessary; it helps relieve internal stress in the steel.

As already mentioned, the cost of finished products is not high, this is due to the small number of alloying elements. But such quality as heat resistance is called into question. Why does a cutting tool need it if the blades are used at temperatures close to room temperature?

Proper heat treatment allows you to achieve the required values ​​for the hardness of products, without losing wear-resistant characteristics. An additive in the form of molybdenum helps resist grain growth in steel. And chromium and silicon increase temper brittleness.

Reviews

The popularity of products made from 40x13 steel is confirmed by numerous reviews from tool users. Such properties as sharpness and ease of sharpening are especially noted. Many also like the ease of maintenance and anti-corrosion properties.

A lot of feedback comes from medical workers, in particular from surgeons. It’s not for nothing that the material is called medical steel.

Thrifty housewives note that this is quite suitable steel for household purposes, subject to normal heat treatment. Some have been using knives for about 20 years, and even take them on hikes. The tool has never failed. Particularly pleasing is the easy sharpening with any available tools.

Manicurists and hairdressers like tools made from medical steel. They also note the durability of 40x13 steel products. Nippers and other cutting tools are needed to give nails a certain shape and neatness. A manicurist with ten years of experience admires its durability: the tool remains sharp for a long time and does not deform when sharpened.

Manicure tool made of steel 40X13.

We must not miss the point that any, even the most durable thing, requires that it be treated carefully and comply with the minimum requirements. Knife blades, for example, do not like to be stored in damp conditions. Do not leave the surface dirty. If you neglect these rules, rust appears on the blades. It can be removed when sharpening, but durability will suffer.

The material for knives must have certain properties. Be soft enough to sharpen, hard enough to not become dull when cutting. Do not rust, withstand temperature changes, safe enough for the food industry. The required qualities are achieved by composition and processing. A popular alloy for the production of knives is stainless steel 40X13 . It is used in everyday life, industry, fishermen, and hunters. This steel differs from others in its low cost and ease of maintenance. The quality of the material depends on the country of origin and the purity of the alloy.

Characteristics of steel

Steel - martensitic class, intended for parts operating at temperatures up to 450 degrees , as well as in corrosive environments. Belongs to group X13 . The absence of nickel reduces the formation of carbides, which contributes to the stability of mechanical properties. The quantitative composition of additional alloying elements is the same throughout the group. This allows you to have a number of mechanical and chemical properties as a result of the use of heat treatment technology:

1. Corrosion resistance.
2. Heat resistance.
3. Heat resistance.
4. Wear resistance.

Corrosion resistance is ensured by the content of martensite , carbides and retained austenite in the hardened state of the microstructure. It is characterized by increased resistance to vibration and alternating loads that occur in products operating at temperatures above 300 degrees Celsius .

For a material of this class, obtaining a combination of strength and hardness is not easy. The higher the hardness, the more brittle the parts become, and under impact loads they will be prone to cracking.

Heat treatment is used depending on the operating conditions of the product. For shafts and axles operating under conditions of mechanical and corrosive wear in a humid environment, normalization with exposure and high tempering is used. For products subject to shock loads during operation, stepwise hardening with high tempering is used, the number of cycles depends on the required surface hardness.

Surface hardness index for a knife is 40-60 HRC . Operating range 52-58 HRC . Steel 40X13 is difficult to harden . But you can achieve 57 HRC . The delivery condition ensures the hardness of the rolled products up to 229 HB .

It is well subjected to hot deformation - forging under slow heating and cooling conditions. Cold deformation is limited.

The alloy is produced in hot-rolled form. There are sheets, shapes, long products, calibrated rods, strips, tapes, and wires.

Steel analogues and scope

4X13 is the old name. There are foreign analogues that differ in the purity of the alloy, the absence or presence of impurities.

Foreign analogues from different suppliers: American AISI420, Japanese SUS420J2, French X40Cr14, English 420S45, Italian X40Cr14, Spanish F.3404, Chinese 4C13, Polish 4h23, Czech 17024. All analogs have similar characteristics.

Application area:

1. Measuring tool.
2. Cutting tool.
3. Household items.
4. Medical instruments.
5. Shafts.
6. Springs.
7. Bearings.
8. Measuring devices for forging production.
9. Details of compressor units.
10. Cutting knives of devices for hot stamping.

Disadvantages of use

The disadvantages of parts made from 40X13 include:

• Instability to aggressive environments.
• Poor weldability of parts.
• To achieve the required hardness, it is necessary to use multi-stage hardening and tempering.
• Do not use on hard surfaces.
• It is not recommended to store in damp conditions; the part is subject to pitting corrosion.

The appearance of corrosion points due to improper storage will be removed by repeated sharpening, which is considered one of the disadvantages and advantages of steel.

How to make a knife from steel 40X13

The technology for making a knife from steel 40X13 is the same as for other grades of steel. If you are making your first blade, then you need 40X13 steel to master the technological process .

The workpiece must be forged, preferably to a given configuration . The forging process strengthens the structure, which will have a good effect on the properties of the cutting part.

A template of the future blade is applied to the forging and cut along the contour. Cutting is carried out only in the tempered state of the workpiece, with simultaneous cooling. Avoid overheating when cutting.

The edges and planes are pre-processed and sharpened to the required dimensions, and holes are drilled in the handle to install fastening pins. Heat treatment (hardening, tempering) is carried out to impart hardness and ductility.

The workpiece is polished with mandatory cooling. Overheating will weaken the steel and reduce its strength. Polished to a shine.

The manufactured wooden handle is mounted on pins. It is glued with epoxy glue, sanded until smooth so that it fits well in the hand, and treated with oil. The oil protects against moisture and gives the wooden handle a beautiful look. Final grinding of the cutting edge of the blade. A convenient and practical knife is ready.

Recommendations for heat treatment 40Х10С2М

Proper heat treatment plays an important role in preserving the qualities of the metal. After any thermal operation, the 40Х10С2М alloy must be annealed. This process is carried out at a temperature of 860 °C. And followed by slow cooling in a gradually cooling oven.

Steel forging is carried out at temperatures of 900-1200 °C. Afterwards, the steel must be tempered to relieve stress in the alloy. As already mentioned, to carry out welding work, the metal is first heated. And only then are they welded. And after the procedure they definitely anneal it.

Conclusion

Safe and widely used steel suitable for common kitchen knives . You can’t do without them in your household - they are easy to care for, easy to sharpen, and have stainless properties. Cutting any food is not difficult at all. Sufficient hardness of the knife body, sharp edge, and not too wide knife will allow you to thinly slice any product.

Widely used in everyday life - a knife on the kitchen table, a scalpel in the hands of a surgeon, measuring devices, springs, shafts, household products, and industry.

The tourist folding knife looks decent and is of appropriate quality, despite the low price. The wide blade with a 2.1 mm spine has high slopes and a thin tip, which allows for smooth, precise cuts. The bakelite handle fits comfortably in the hand thanks to the classic grooves. And the metal guard and pommel reliably protect the bakelite part of the handle from damage.

Gudgeon

This multi-purpose tool will come in handy when camping and for performing most household tasks. The blade here is fixed, made of the considered steel 40x13, therefore it has all its pros and cons. The handles are wooden, with an easily recognizable texture. The guard is metal and serves to protect the hand from slipping and the main part of the handle from damage. “Gudgeon” is supplied complete with a textile case made of cordura.

Mosquito

The 40x13 butcher knife is hardened to 54-56 HRC and has a good ratio of hardness and elasticity. “Mosquito”, like other thrust knives, is intended for self-defense, but is not a bladed weapon. Its compactness and lightness (70 g) are convenient for everyday wear. The shape of the handle and the large finger cutout provide a secure, firm grip.

Midshipman

“Michman” is not just a folding tool, but more of a multifunctional tool. The main element is a full-fledged blade with a hardness of 55 HRC, which opens using a nail hook. There is also a corkscrew, bottle opener and can opener. All elements are made of steel 40x13. The folding mechanism has a built-in Back lock - simple, but strong and reliable. The handles are made of wood; the pommel has a narrow hole for a lanyard.

Flint

An automatic folding device is useful on a hike, at home or in urban environments. The versatility is largely ensured by the successful shape of the blade, high slopes, and a razor-sharp blade. The Plunge-lock lock provides reliable fixation in the open and closed state. The handles are made of black (ebony) wood, firmly secured with metal rivets.

Rimbaud

A true survival tool. The butt is not smooth, but has deep teeth, which allows the tool to be used as a file. The guard performs the task of a Phillips and flathead screwdriver. The handle is wrapped with synthetic thread for a rigid grip on the hand, and on the pommel there is a special metal element with a hole for a lanyard.

The pommel unscrews, and a compass and a plastic container are hidden inside the handle. The container contains a good emergency supply: adhesive plaster, matches, fishing line and hook. “Rimbaud” is supplied complete with a leather case.

Target

A set of 3 throwing knives, as expected, made of 40x13 steel. For throwing you need a reliable tool that is not afraid of shock loads, with an optimal ratio of hardness and flexibility. This is exactly what Michel knives are thanks to the correct processing of the alloy. Each blade is decorated with original engraving. Deep valleys and a properly aligned center of gravity help maintain the flight path. The set comes in a folding cordura case with 3 compartments.

Atacama-2

A serious survival tool used as a knife, ax or machete. The shape of the blade actually resembles the famous edged weapon – the machete. It is convenient to rest your hand on the butt, which is as much as 5 mm thick, when performing heavy cutting work. For safety, there is a reliable long guard and finger grooves on the butt. The non-slip surface of the wooden handle also prevents your hand from slipping. Supplied complete with a nylon case.

Frenchman

This lightweight, elegant folding knife is useful for daily carry or for use in natural conditions. The narrow blade lends itself well to sharpening to a razor sharpness and is not afraid of mechanical stress. The bevel on the butt and the finely pointed point ensure a correct, controlled cut. The wooden handle has shallow grooves for a comfortable grip, a recognizable original texture, and does not get cold on the hand. A nail hook is provided for opening.

Novgorod

A working knife is useful for any cutting work in nature: while hiking, hunting or fishing. The fixed blade is hardened to 56 HRC, has optimal impact strength, and can be sharpened with standard abrasives. The name of the model and manufacturer's brand is engraved in the area of ​​the canvas. There is also patterned engraving on the metal guard. A nylon case is provided for storage and transportation.

Sources used:

• https://vashnozh.ru/stal/40×13
• https://plusiminusi.ru/stal-40×13-dlya-nozhej-plyusy-i-minusy/
• https://muzhskie-hobby.ru/luchshie-nozhi-iz-stali-40h13/