Heat Treatment Specifications
Austenitizing
Temperature830°C(1526°F)
Soak Time15 minutes
Tempering
Temperature175°C(347°F)
Time120 minutes
Cycles1x
Quench Medium
oil
Target Hardness
59 - 61 HRC
Performance Characteristics
Toughness8/10
Edge Retention6/10
Corrosion Resistance1/10
Ease of Sharpening7.5/10
Overall Score22.5/40
Interesting Facts
- 1Chinese spring steel - GB standard equivalent to SAE 1070
- 20.62-0.70% carbon, 0.90-1.20% manganese
- 3One of toughest steels China manufactures
- 4Spring steel - regains shape after deflection
- 528-34 HRC - lower hardness but extreme toughness
- 6Ideal for machetes and large blades, not EDC/kitchen
Famous Uses
Cold Steel Chinese Sword Machete
Kershaw camp knives
Budget machetes
Best For
Budget blades
Industrial tools
Practice knives
Similar Steels
1075
American equivalent
T10
Chinese carbon, more carbon
Not Recommended For
- Wet environments
- Western markets (unfamiliar)
- Fine work
Expert Tips
- 1Low-alloy carbon steel
- 2Good for budget applications
- 3High Mn can increase brittleness
- 4Not stainless - needs protection