Heat Treatment Specifications
Austenitizing
Temperature840°C(1544°F)
Soak Time15 minutes
Tempering
Temperature175°C(347°F)
Time120 minutes
Cycles2x
Quench Medium
oil
Target Hardness
59 - 61 HRC
Performance Characteristics
Toughness8/10
Edge Retention6/10
Corrosion Resistance1.5/10
Ease of Sharpening7.5/10
Overall Score23/40
Interesting Facts
- 1GOST alloy tool steel - 9ХФ (9KhF)
- 2Fantastic flexibility with stunning hardness
- 3Edge holds up to 6 months under normal use
- 4Designed for extreme cold: Siberia, Far North, polar regions
- 545-49 HRC for frame saw applications
- 6Soviet engineering for harsh environments
Famous Uses
Russian frame saws
Soviet-era woodworking tools
Traditional Russian knives
Best For
Professional cutting tools
Heavy-duty blades
Traditional forged knives
Similar Steels
O1
American equivalent
ShKh15
Russian alternative
Not Recommended For
- Wet environments
- Western markets
- Beginners
Expert Tips
- 1Tool steel - requires corrosion prevention
- 2Excellent for hard-use knives
- 3Similar to 9KHS but with vanadium instead of silicon