Material Selection Guide
Finding the right steel for the job.
Choosing the right steel is the first step in building a successful knife. There is no single “best” steel—only the best steel for your specific application and skill level. This guide compares our inventory to help you decide.
1. Selection by Skill Level
Be honest about your heat-treating equipment. High-performance stainless steels like S35VN are wasted if you cannot heat treat them precisely.
The Beginner (Torch & Canola Oil)
- Goal: Learn to grind and heat treat without expensive equipment.
- Best Steels: 1080 or 1095.
- Why: These high-carbon steels are forgiving. They can be heat treated with a simple MAPP gas torch and a bucket of warm oil. They take a razor edge and are easy to sharpen.
The Intermediate (Small Forge or kiln)
- Goal: Better edge retention and toughness.
- Best Steels: O1, 8670M, 5160.
- Why: Steels like O1 offer superior edge stability but require slightly more temperature control. 8670M and 5160 are incredibly tough, making them safer choices for larger knives.
The Pro (Digital Kiln & Cryo)
- Goal: Maximum performance and stainless properties.
- Best Steels: CPM S35VN, CPM 3V, 14C28N.
- Why: These steels require precise soak times at temperatures over 1900°F and often benefit from cryogenic treatment (liquid nitrogen). If you have the gear (or send your blades out for heat treat), these offer the highest performance.
2. Selection by Application
What will this knife actually DO?
Bushcraft & Survival
Priorities: Impact Toughness, Ease of Field Sharpening.
- Top Pick: CPM 3V. The toughest steel on the market. It will not break.
- Budget Pick: 1095. The classic choice. It takes a scary sharp edge and is easy to fix in the field with a simple stone.
- Alternative: 8670M. Nearly indestructible and very affordable.
Hunting & Skinning
Priorities: Edge Retention, Wear Resistance.
- Top Pick: CPM S35VN. Holds an edge through multiple animals and resists corrosion from blood/moisture.
- Classic Pick: D2. Known for its aggressive “toothy” edge that keeps cutting long after other steels have gone dull.
Kitchen & Culinary
Priorities: Corrosion Resistance, Thin Slicing Geometry.
- Top Pick: 14C28N. Specifically designed for razor-sharp kitchen cutlery. Extremely stainless and stable at thin edges.
- Classic Pick: 440C. Takes a high mirror polish which helps resist food acids and rust.
Every Day Carry (EDC)
Priorities: Balance of all traits.
- Top Pick: CPM 154. A great all-rounder. Tough, stainless, and holds a great edge.
- Budget Pick: 12C27. Very tough for a stainless steel and takes a screaming sharp edge.
3. Technical Comparison Chart
A quick reference for the tradeoffs between alloys.
| Steel | Type | Corrosion Resistance | Edge Retention | Toughness | Heat Treat Difficulty |
| 1080 | Carbon | Low | ⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | 🟢 Easy |
| 1095 | Carbon | Low | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ | 🟡 Moderate |
| 5160 | Spring | Low | ⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | 🟢 Easy |
| O1 | Tool | Low | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ | 🟡 Moderate |
| D2 | Tool | Semi-Stainless | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐ | 🔴 Hard (Kiln) |
| CPM 3V | Tool | Low/Med | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | 🔴 Hard (Kiln) |
| 440C | Stainless | High | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐ | 🔴 Hard (Kiln) |
| 14C28N | Stainless | Very High | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | 🔴 Hard (Kiln) |
| S35VN | Stainless | High | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ | 🔴 Hard (Kiln) |
4. Understanding the Terms
Carbon vs. Stainless
- Carbon Steel (1095, 1080): Will rust if not oiled. generally tougher and easier to sharpen.
- Stainless Steel (S35VN, 440C): Contains Chromium (>13%) to resist rust. Generally harder to sharpen but requires less maintenance.
Hot Rolled vs. Cold Rolled (CRA)
- Hot Rolled: Rough dark grey surface (mill scale). Thickness tolerances are loose.
- Cold Rolled (CRA): Smooth, clean grey surface. Tighter thickness tolerance. We always recommend CRA for stock removal makers.
Powder Metallurgy (CPM)
- A high-tech process where steel is atomized into powder before being formed. This creates a perfectly uniform grain structure, allowing “Super Steels” like CPM S35VN to be both harder and tougher than traditional steels.
Need a Recommendation?
If you are still stuck, we recommend 1095 (CRA) for your first build. It is the industry standard for a reason.
[ SHOP 1095 STEEL ]