Heat Treatment Specifications
Austenitizing
Temperature1175°C(2147°F)
Soak Time2 minutes
Tempering
Temperature550°C(1022°F)
Time120 minutes
Cycles3x
Quench Medium
oil
Target Hardness
65 - 68 HRC
Performance Characteristics
Toughness6/10
Edge Retention9.5/10
Corrosion Resistance2.5/10
Ease of Sharpening3/10
Overall Score21/40
Interesting Facts
- 1Böhler's flagship powder metallurgy HSS
- 21.64% carbon, 4.8% vanadium, 10.5% tungsten, 2% cobalt
- 3Among highest edge retention PM steels available
- 467-70 HRC achievable - extremely hard
- 5Very difficult to sharpen - diamond abrasives recommended
- 6Tougher than Rex 121 despite similar wear resistance
Famous Uses
Ultra-premium custom knives
High-end industrial cutting
Best For
High-performance cutters
Heavy-duty knives
Professional tools
Similar Steels
Not Recommended For
- Field sharpening (nightmare)
- Impact loads
- Budget
Expert Tips
- 1Red-hot hardness
- 268 HRC tested success
- 33-5 micron carbides
- 4Versatile heat treatment