Fallkniven knives - Understanding Knife Steel

What is Stainless Steel?

Stainless steel has been around for about 100 years, while high carbon steel has been used for over a thousand years. But what exactly is stainless steel? In metallurgy, stainless steel (or "inox steel") is a type of steel alloy that contains at least 10.5% chromium by mass.

This chromium content makes stainless steel resistant to corrosion, though it’s not completely rust-proof. In environments with low oxygen, high salinity, or poor air circulation, some corrosion may occur. However, with proper care and common sense, a stainless steel knife can last for many years without issues.

Stainless steel differs from high carbon steel primarily because of its chromium content. The chromium forms a thin, protective layer of chromium oxide on the surface of the steel. This "passive film" prevents oxygen from reaching the steel, thereby reducing corrosion.

Why Use Laminate Steel?

Laminate steel is stronger—up to 20% stronger—than solid stainless steel. This makes it ideal for survival knives, where durability is crucial. Laminated steel typically combines strong outer layers of low- or medium-carbon stainless steel with a high-performance core of materials like VG10, Cobalt-Special, or Super Gold Powder Steel.

For example:

• 420J2 Steel: A low-carbon, high-chromium alloy known for its strength and resistance to corrosion.
• VG2 Steel: Higher in carbon, this steel is less prone to scratching and slightly stronger than 420J2, though more expensive and harder to work with.

Steel Types We Use

Detailed Steel Composition

Here are some key properties of the steels we use:

• Cowry X: Ultra-high-performance powder steel developed by Ichiro Hattori, with unmatched hardness and edge retention.
• SGPS (Super Gold Powder Steel): A high-end steel known for its balance of strength and edge-holding ability.
• CoS: A modern, high-alloy cobalt-special steel with excellent toughness and sharpness.
• VG10: A popular high-alloy steel containing molybdenum and cobalt, ideal for all-purpose use.
• Elmax: High-chromium steel offering superior wear resistance and corrosion resistance.
• VG7: A high-alloy steel with increased tungsten content for added durability.

Which Knives Use Which Steel?

Different knife models are paired with specific steels based on their intended use. For instance:

• Cowry X: HK9cx, NL5cx
• 3G: SK1 (Jarl), HK9, TK1, TK2, TK3, and more.
• Lam. CoS: F1, A1pro, MB (Modern Bowie), TH1, and others.
• Lam. VG10: NL2 (Odin), F4, K1, A2, and others.
• Elmax: PXLey, RL1, U2 Elmax, and others.

With proper care and understanding, these steels can provide exceptional performance and longevity for any knife enthusiast or professional.

(This is republished information from Fällkniven AB)