Heat Treatment Specifications
Austenitizing
Temperature1050°C(1922°F)
Soak Time5 minutes
Tempering
Temperature200°C(392°F)
Time120 minutes
Cycles2x
Quench Medium
oil
Target Hardness
59 - 60 HRC
Performance Characteristics
Toughness8.5/10
Edge Retention7.5/10
Corrosion Resistance8.5/10
Ease of Sharpening8/10
Overall Score32.5/40
Interesting Facts
- 1Created in 2009 by Sandvik specifically for Kershaw
- 2Developed as more stainless version of 13C26
- 3Originally razor blade steel adapted for sporting knives
- 4Was exclusive to Kershaw at launch
- 5Larrin Thomas calls it 'ideal budget knife steel'
- 6Now Alleima (formerly Sandvik) produces it
Famous Uses
Kershaw Blur
Kershaw Leek
Budget premium knives
Best For
Folding knives
Kitchen cutlery
General purpose blades
EDC knives
Similar Steels
Not Recommended For
- Extreme wear resistance
- Premium segment (mid-level)
- Heavy work
Expert Tips
- 1Nitrogen addition improves corrosion resistance
- 2Sharpens easily and takes very sharp edge
- 3Nitrogen enhances corrosion resistance
- 4Forms nitrides not carbides
- 555-62 HRC working range
- 6Avoids brittleness at higher hardness