Kershaw blades are made from a range of steels, each with their own strengths in edge retention, corrosion resistance, and sharpening ease.
CPM 20CV
This Crucible powdered metallurgy tool steel has a high volume of vanadium carbides for exceptional wear resistance and edge retention. The highest level of chromium of any high-vanadium steel gives it excellent corrosion resistance.
HRC: 59–61
TOUGHNESS: 6/10
EDGE RETENTION: 9/10
CORROSION RESISTANCE: 7/10
SHARPENING EASE: 2/10
CPM S30V
Large carbides in this all-around premium knife steel make it take and hold an edge extremely well; it is also very tough and wear resistant.
HRC: 59.5–61
TOUGHNESS: 5/10
EDGE RETENTION: 7/10
CORROSION RESISTANCE: 7/10
SHARPENING EASE: 5/10
CPM 154
This powdered metallurgy steel has a more uniform distribution of carbides, so it takes and holds an excellent edge. Also offers good corrosion resistance, wear resistance, and toughness.
HRC: 58–60
TOUGHNESS: 4/10
EDGE RETENTION: 6/10
CORROSION RESISTANCE: 6/10
SHARPENING EASE: 5/10
SANDVIK 14C28N
This high-performance steel was developed in a partnership between Kershaw and Sandvik Steel. Offers excellent corrosion resistance.
HRC: 58–60
TOUGHNESS: 6/10
EDGE RETENTION: 4/10
CORROSION RESISTANCE: 6/10
SHARPENING EASE: 6/10
D2
This “semi-stainless” tool steel is known for excellent edge retention, wear resistance, and good toughness.
HRC: 59–60
TOUGHNESS: 6/10
EDGE RETENTION: 8/10
CORROSION RESISTANCE: 2/10
SHARPENING EASE: 3/10
8CR13MOV
Kershaw precision heat-treats 8Cr13MoV steel to bring out its very best high-performance characteristics: the ability to take and hold an edge, strength, and hardness.
HRC: 57–59
EDGE RETENTION: 3/10
CORROSION RESISTANCE: 3/10
SHARPENING EASE: 8/10
8CR14MOV
The formula for this steel has additional chromium for added stain resistance. It also benefits from Kershaw’s expertise in precision heat treatment.
HRC: 58–59
7CR17MOV
Similar to 440A stainless steel, but with a formula that has added molybdenum and vanadium to improve hardness and wear resistance.
HRC: 57–59
420HC
This modified 420 steel has higher amounts of carbon and chromium to boost hardenability and corrosion resistance. It is an excellent everyday steel: tough, corrosion resistant, easy to sharpen, and takes a good edge.
HRC: 58
EDGE RETENTION: 3/10
CORROSION RESISTANCE: 7/10
SHARPENING EASE: 9/10
420J
Highly stain resistant, but ductile, this steel is excellent for use where “flex” is desirable, for example, in fillet knives.
HRC: 56–58
EDGE RETENTION: 2/10
CORROSION RESISTANCE: 8/10
SHARPENING EASE: 9/10
DIN 1.4116
Exceptionally corrosion resistant and very tough, this German stainless steel is one of the most popular steels for kitchen knives. It is very easy to re-sharpen when the time comes.
HRC: 55–57
65MN
A tough, durable carbon steel designed for hard-use tools such as Kershaw’s Camp Series machetes.
HRC: 56
3CR13
A value-priced high-chromium stainless steel.
HRC: 54–56
4CR14
A value-priced steel; very highly stain resistant.
HRC: 55–57
STEEL ELEMENTS
| Carbon (C) | Chromium (Cr) | Molybddenum (Mo) | Vanadium (V) | Tungsten (W) | Cobalt (Co) | Nickel (Ni) | Manganese (Mn) | Silicon (Si) | Sulphur (S) | Phosphous (P) | Copper (Cu) | Niobium (Nb) | Nitrogen (N) | |
| CPM S30V | 1.45 | 14 | 2 | 4 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | 0.2 |
| CPM 154 | 1.05 | 14 | 4 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| 14C28N | 0.62 | 14 | 0.55 | – | – | – | – | – | 0.25 | 0.015 | 0.03 | – | – | 0.08 |
| 8Cr13MoV | 0.8 | 13 | 0.15 | 0.1 | – | – | 0.2 | 0.4 | 0.5 | 0.01 | 0.02 | – | – | – |
| 8Cr14MoV | 0.75–0.8 | 13.5–14 | 0.20–0.25 | 0.10–0.15 | – | – | – | 0.3–0.6 | 0.3–0.6 | 0.03 | 0.035 | – | – | – |
| 420J | 0.4–0.5 | 12–14 | 0.6 | 0.18 | – | – | – | 0.8 | 1 | 0.02 | 0.05 | – | – | – |
| 420HC | 0.46 | 13 | – | 0.3 | – | – | – | 0.4 | 0.4 | - | – | – | – | – |
| D2 | 1.4–1.6 | 11–13 | 0.7–1.2 | 1.1 | – | – | 0.3 | 0.6 | 0.6 | – | – | – | – | – |
| DIN 1.4116 | 0.45–0.55 | 14–15 | 0.5–0.8 | 0.1–0.2 | – | – | – | 1 | 1 | 0.015 | 0.04 | – | – | – |
| 65Mn | 0.57–0.70 | – | – | – | – | – | – | 0.6–0.9 | – | 0.05 | 0.04 | – | – | – |
| 3Cr13 | 0.35 | 13.5 | 0.6 | – | – | – | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.8 | – | – | – | – | – |
| 4Cr14 | 0.38 | 13.94 | 0.12 | 0.08 | – | – | 0.14 | 0.41 | 0.41 | 0.003 | 0.02 | – | – | – |