nerez PLUS

440A (AISI 440A; X65CrMo14; 1.4109)
0.6-0.75% Carbon (C), 16-18% Chromium (Cr), 1% Manganese (Mn) Steel has high corrosion resistance and low toughness, is very popular for simple knives, with excellent sharpenability but low edge retention, hardness typically 56 HRc (Rockwell), USA origin

440B (AISI 440B; X90CrMoV18; 1.4112)
0.75-095% Carbon (C), 16-18% Chromium (Cr), 1% Manganese (Mn) and a hardness of typically 56 HRc (Rockwell), steel is almost unweldable, used for cutting tools in surgical practice, steel with higher hardness and wear resistance, USA origin

440C (AISI 440C; N685; X105CrMo17; CSN 17042; 1.4125)
0.95-1.2% Carbon (C), 16-18% Chromium (Cr), 0.75% Molybdenum (Mo), 1% Manganese (Mn), 1% Silicon (Si). Very wear resistant, it can be hardened to high hardness, however it is then not very resistant to pitting, so it is typically tempered to a lower hardness. Very similar in composition and properties to Swedish 12C27 steel, but has lower edge stability than 12C27 steel, for example.

W.1.4034 (X46Cr13; N540; CSN 17029)
(0.46% Carbon (C), 13% Chromium (Cr), 0.14% Molybdenum (Mo), 0.28% Nickel (Ni), 0.47% Manganese (Mn), 0.33% Silicon (Si)) Stainless steel, very workable, resistant to corrosion and weak acids, polishing increases corrosion resistance. Difficult to weld, excellent hot-working steel.

8Cr13MoV
(0.8% Carbon (C), 14% Chromium (Cr), 0.15% Molybdenum (Mo), 0.1% Vanadium (V), 0.2% Nickel (Ni), 1% Manganese (Mn), 1% Silicon (Si)) A somewhat higher quality steel even for more regular use. Carbide content contributes to the high hardness of the steel, but suffers from edge breakage. Spyderco leaves this steel on lower grade knives made in China. The fairly corrosion resistant steel is a decent choice at the right sharpening angle. And with a fine finish on higher grit abrasives, it offers a fairly high quality blade. However, a lot then depends on the quality of the resharpening and the bevel angle. Rockwell hardness is typically 59 HRc. Perfect price/performance ratio. China / Ahonest Chankjiang

8Cr15MoV
(0.75% Carbon (C), 14% Chromium (Cr), 0.15% Molybdenum (Mo), 0.1% Vanadium (V), 0.49% Nickel (Ni), 0.5% Manganese (Mn), 1% Silicon (Si)) Steel virtually identical in properties to 8Cr13MoV but more corrosion resistant and slightly tougher. Comparable steel in AUS8 equivalent. Rockwell hardness 59 HRc. Perfect price/performance ratio. China / Ahonest Chankjiang

9Cr13CoMoV
(0.85% Carbon (C), 13.5% Chromium (Cr), 0.2% Molybdenum (Mo), 0.2% Vanadium (V), 1% Cobalt (Co), 1% Manganese (Mn), 1% Silicon (Si)) Corrosion resistant steel with increased strength and hardness due to Cobalt. Rockwell hardness 60 HRc. China / Ahonest Chankjiang

9Cr14MoV
(0.9% Carbon (C), 14% Chromium (Cr), 0.25% Molybdenum (Mo), 0.15% Vanadium (V), 0.6% Manganese (Mn), 0.6% Silicon (Si)) Stainless steel, with carbide-forming Chromium which gives medium corrosion resistance. Typical Rockwell hardness up to 60HRc. China / Ahonest Chankjiang

9Cr18MoV
(0.95% Carbon (C), 18% Chromium (Cr), 1% Molybdenum (Mo), 0.1% Nickel (Ni), 0.8% Manganese (Mn), 0.8% Silicon (Si)) Higher grade Chinese stainless steel, very similar to 440C steel, increased edge resistance and toughness. China / Ahonest Chankjiang

10Cr15CoMoV
(1.05% Carbon (C), 15% Chromium (Cr), 1.2% Molybdenum (Mo), 0.3% Vanadium (V), 1.5% Cobalt (Co), 0.5% Manganese (Mn)) The steel offers very good toughness and also hardness, edge durability. Comparable to VG10 where it can be perfectly sharpened to a high sharpness, however it is not as prone to breaking. Rockwell hardness up to 62 HRc China / Ahonest Chankjiang

T5MoV
(0.5% Carbon (C), 14% Chromium (Cr), 0.35% Molybdenum (Mo), 0.15% Vanadium (V), 0.15% Cobalt (Co)) Stainless steel comparable to 440b Rockwell hardness up to 58 HRc France / Bonpertius

T6MoV
(0.6% Carbon (C), 14.2% Chromium (Cr), 0.65% Molybdenum (Mo), 0.10% Vanadium (V), 0.23% Nickel (Ni), 1% Silicon (Si)) Stainless steel comparable to 440c. Rockwell hardness up to 56 HRc France / Bonpertius