Heat Treatment Specifications
Austenitizing
Temperature955°C(1751°F)
Soak Time30 minutes
Tempering
Temperature230°C(446°F)
Time120 minutes
Cycles2x
Quench Medium
air
Target Hardness
58 - 60 HRC
Performance Characteristics
Toughness8/10
Edge Retention5.5/10
Corrosion Resistance2/10
Ease of Sharpening7/10
Overall Score22.5/40
Interesting Facts
- 1One of the toughest tool steels available
- 2Designed for extreme impact applications
- 3Used in jackhammer bits and heavy machinery
- 4Typically hardened to 54-58 HRC for maximum toughness
- 5Popular for tactical tomahawks and hard-use tools
Famous Uses
Tomahawks
Jackhammer bits
Impact tools
Best For
Combat knives
Shock-resistant tools
Heavy-use cutting
Chopping applications
Similar Steels
S5
Slightly less toughness
L6
Nickel alternative
Not Recommended For
- Wet environments
- Thin blades
- Razor sharpness
Expert Tips
- 1Careful heat treatment maximizes toughness
- 2Higher shock resistance trades off edge retention
- 3Design for durability over razor sharpness