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 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 possesses high hardness, excellent wear resistance, good abrasion resistance, and corrosion resistance.
This steel is a well-known Chinese cheap brand of knife steel. It’s referred to as Stainless Steel, and it improves the purity and regularity of steel. This steel is similar to Japanese steel of the AUS-8 grade in terms of composition.
Because of its inexpensive cost, This steel has outstanding cutting qualities. Products composed of 8Cr13MoV steel have good corrosion resistance and keep the sharpness of the cutting edge for an extended period when heat treated appropriately.
Why It’s a good choice for making knives
Compared to other stainless steel, 8cr13mov performs very well as a knife. 8cr13mov is a good beginner or cheap knife because of its corrosion resistance, hardness, and sharpening simplicity.
The knife steel is ideal for a wide range of outdoor activities. Because the steel corrodes slowly, it will not erode in your pocket. It’s 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 just starting, and it’s a cheaper option than the AUS8.
8cr13mov chemical composition
Alloy metals have been added to this steel to increase the steel’s strength and hardness. 8cr13mov would be too soft without the extra metals and have substantially 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 undoubtedly the most important. Most individuals base their choice to buy a knife on the properties of the steel used, so knowing this is crucial if you’re contemplating an 8cr13mov knife.
Edge Retention
Edge retention is the one area where 8cr13mov fails miserably. The lack of carbon in the 8cr13mov composition causes this condition. Even though the alloys compensate for the hardness, the edge retention suffers from reduced carbon concentration. 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 continually, which creates 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. Because of the increased chromium concentration, the proportion of carbides in this steel is more elevated, rendering it unsuitable for welding.
Does 8cr13mov rust?
Chinese-grade blade steel is mainly utilized for 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 entirely 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 that goes through high-temperature quenching and other heat treatments to get its characteristics. Let’s take a closer look at the details of these 8cr13mov heat treatment techniques.
Heating à Molding à Tempered à Forging à Spherodizing àQuenching
After being heated in a vacuum induction furnace, the process pours 8cr13mov into die molds. After that, it’s tempered between 1800-1500 C and left to cool naturally. For 8cr13mov to become martensitic steel, many forging rounds are required.
The spheroidizing procedure is also for enhancing and improving the machinability of the steel. Finally, it is quenched for 3 hours at 180 C in saltwater or oil.
Best Spyderco 8Cr13MoV Knives (Tenacious G-10)
Spyderco knives have an excellent reputation for quality and performance, and it may tempt you to assume they’re the best thing since sliced bread depends on how knife aficionados rave about them.
The Spyderco Tenacious G-10, a mid-sized folding knife with both performance and affordability, exemplifies its superb craftsmanship.
It boasts a fully accessible Trademark Round Hole for ambidextrous one-handed use, and its leaf-shaped blade is full-flat ground from 8Cr13MoV stainless steel.
Pros
- This steel is low-cost, easy-to-sharpen steel.
- The grind is entirely flat.
- 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.
- Straight or slightly serrated edge options are available.
Cons
- The blade may be too lengthy to carry or use in certain places.
- Spyderco blades made using 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, however, D2 is higher-end steel. 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; specifically, the Spyderco 8Cr13Mov. They gave the steel the best heat treatment and brought the most incredible knife.
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