8Cr13MoV blade steel is a common Chinese stainless steel for household scissors and knives. The Chinese grade is comparable to Aichi AUS 8 steel but has a greater carbon concentration.
This article demonstrates the composition and properties of this steel. We’ve also recommended the best 8Cr13MoV (Spyderco Tenacious G-10) stainless steel brands on the market.
What is 8Cr13MoV stainless steel?
It is martensitic stainless steel with high carbon content and chromium content. After heat treatment, it has high hardness, great wear resistance, and good corrosion and abrasion resistance.
This steel is a well-known, cheap brand of knife steel. People refer to it as stainless steel, and it improves the purity and regularity of steel. This steel is like Japanese steel of the AUS-8 grade composition.
Because of its inexpensive cost, this steel has outstanding cutting qualities. Products made of 8Cr13MoV steel resist corrosion well. They also maintain sharp cutting edges for an extended period when subjected to proper heat treatment.
Why it’s a good choice for making knives
Compared to other stainless steels, 8Cr13MoV performs very well as a knife. 8Cr13MoV is a great choice for beginners or budget buyers. It resists corrosion, offers good hardness, and is easy to sharpen.
The knife steel is ideal for a wide range of outdoor activities. The steel corrodes at a gradual rate, so it will not erode in your pocket. It is also quite durable and can withstand abrasion.
Although 8Cr13MoV is not as robust as some of the more costly steels on the market, it is a great deal. It’s a terrific knife to present to a knife enthusiast who is starting, and it is a cheaper option than the AUS-8.
8Cr13MoV chemical composition
People add alloy metals to this steel to increase its strength and hardness. 8Cr13MoV would be too soft without the extra metals and would have much poorer edge retention. It is because this steel has less carbon than other stainless steel blades.
| Name | Composition (%) |
| Base | Iron (Fe) |
| Carbon (C) | 0.7 – 0.8 |
| Silicon (Si) | < 1.0 |
| Manganese (Mn) | < 1.0 |
| Phosporus (P) | < 0.04 |
| Sulpher (S) | 0.03 |
| Chromium (Cr) | 13.00 – 14.00 |
| Molebdenum (Mo) | 0.10 – 0.30 |
| Nickel (Ni) | < 0.6 |
| Vanadium (V) | 0.10 – 0.25 |
8Cr13MoV steel properties
Let’s get down to business with the properties of stainless steel, which are clearly the most important. Many people choose a knife based on the steel it uses. So, understanding this is key if you’re thinking about an 8Cr13MoV knife.
Edge Retention
Edge retention is the one area in which 8Cr13MoV shows weak performance. The lack of carbon in the 8Cr13MoV composition causes this condition. Alloys may help with hardness, but lower carbon levels hurt edge retention. You’ll have to maintain sharpening this knife since it loses its edge rapidly when it comes into contact with any material, even light ones.
This feature sharpens kitchen knives precisely. It helps create an excellent kitchen knife. As an outdoor knife, though, the poor edge retention might be a nuisance.
Corrosion Resistance
8Cr13MoV has good corrosion resistance because of its high chromium content. You won’t have any rust issues for a long time.
However, it’s still a good idea to look after your knife. Although it is generally corrosion-resistant, it may still rust if not correctly maintained.
Wear Resistance
Because of its high chromium, manganese, and vanadium content, the 8Cr13MoV steel offers good wear resistance. As a result, minimal surface damage, removal, or material deformation occurs.
Weldability
It is not suggested to weld 8Cr13MoV high-carbon stainless steel. The higher chromium concentration raises the carbide content in this steel. So, it becomes unsuitable for welding.
Does 8Cr13MoV rust?
Chinese-grade blade steel serves as the main material in the production of survival knives. 8Cr13MoV steel rusts, although it takes a long time to do so. This low incidence of rust is due to 8% chromium, which forms a thin oxide coating on the surface that prevents oxygen attack.
Although this steel is not completely stainless, it comes close. Stainless steel must include at least 11 percent chromium for total corrosion resistance. This Chinese grade is less expensive and has a good balance of hardness and corrosion resistance, perfect for outdoor knives.
Manufacturing and Heat Treatment
8Cr13MoV is martensitic steel. It undergoes high-temperature quenching and other heat treatments. These processes give it its unique properties. Let’s take a closer look at the details of these 8Cr13MoV heat treatment techniques.
Heating to Molding to Tempering to Forging to Spheroidizing to Quenching
After heating in a vacuum induction furnace, the process pours 8Cr13MoV into die molds. The process operators temper the material at temperatures between 1800 and 1500 °C and allow it to cool without intervention. To transform 8Cr13MoV into martensitic steel, many forging rounds are necessary.
The spheroidizing procedure is also for enhancing and improving the machinability of the steel. Finally, someone quenches it for 3 hours at 180°C in saltwater or oil.
Best Spyderco 8Cr13MoV Knives (Tenacious G-10)
People know Spyderco knives for their quality and performance. Many knife lovers rave about them, which might make you think they’re the best thing since sliced bread.
The Spyderco Tenacious G-10 is a mid-sized folding knife. It offers great performance at an affordable price. This knife shows off excellent craftsmanship.
It features a trademark round hole for easy one-handed use. The manufacturer makes the leaf-shaped blade from 8Cr13MoV stainless steel and grinds it to a full-flat finish.
Pros
This steel is low-cost and easy to sharpen.
The grind has a completely flat surface.
LinerLock by Walker
Jim’s backbone
G-10 laminate grip scales with textured texture.
Pocket clip with four positions.
The blade finish is black and non-reflective.
Options are available for edges that are straight or have slight serrations.
Cons
The blade may be too long to carry or use in certain places.
Spyderco blades made with budget steel perform somewhat worse than other Spyderco knives.
8Cr13MoV vs. D2 steel
For their pricing points, D2 and 8Cr13MoV are both excellent knife steels. In comparison to 8Cr13MoV, D2 steel is higher-end. D2 is a better option if you want a higher-end, sharper knife.
If you’re looking for an inexpensive knife, 8Cr13MoV is the way to go. D2 has a higher hardness and edge retention than 8Cr13MoV, although it is more costly and less corrosion-resistant.
| Name | 8cr13mov Composition (%) | D2 Steel Composition (%) |
| Base | Iron (Fe) | Iron (Fe) |
| Carbon (C) | 0.7 – 0.8 | 1.40 – 1.60 |
| Silicon (Si) | < 1.0 | 0.60 |
| Manganese (Mn) | < 1.0 | 0.60 |
| Phosporus (P) | < 0.04 | 0.03 |
| Sulpher (S) | 0.03 | 0.03 |
| Chromium (Cr) | 13.00 – 14.00 | 11.00 – 13.00 |
| Molebdenum (Mo) | 0.10 – 0.30 | 0.70 – 1.20 |
| Nickel (Ni) | < 0.6 | 0.30 |
| Vanadium (V) | 0.10 – 0.25 | 1.10 |
| Cobalt (Co) | 0 | 1.00 |
| Copper (Cu) | 0 | 0.25 |
Conclusion
8Cr13Mov is a low-cost knife that can keep an edge and withstand corrosion. You may take a risk with this steel, particularly the Spyderco 8Cr13Mov. They gave the steel the best heat treatment and brought out the most incredible knife.