Heat Treatment Specifications
Austenitizing
Temperature1050°C(1922°F)
Soak Time15 minutes
Tempering
Temperature180°C(356°F)
Time120 minutes
Cycles1x
Quench Medium
air
Target Hardness
52 - 54 HRC
Performance Characteristics
Toughness8.5/10
Edge Retention4/10
Corrosion Resistance8/10
Ease of Sharpening9.5/10
Overall Score30/40
Interesting Facts
- 1Sandvik utility steel - lower carbon than 12C27
- 20.60% carbon for balance of toughness and edge
- 3Good for applications needing more flexibility
- 4Less common in finished knives
- 5Part of Sandvik's blade steel family
- 6Easier to work than higher carbon variants
Famous Uses
Utility blades
Industrial cutting applications
Best For
Peelers
Butter knives
Kitchen implements
Similar Steels
12C27
More carbon, harder
420
American equivalent in softness
Not Recommended For
- Wear resistance
- Hard work
- Premium
Expert Tips
- 1Budget-grade steel
- 2Very pure for its class
- 3Not for demanding cutting