Heat Treatment Specifications
Austenitizing
Data not available
Tempering
Data not available
Quench Medium
Check manufacturer recommendations
Target Hardness
41 - 50 HRC
Performance Characteristics
Toughness9/10
Edge Retention8.5/10
Corrosion Resistance10/10
Ease of Sharpening3.5/10
Overall Score31/40
Interesting Facts
- 1Part of Stellite cobalt alloy family created early 1900s
- 2About 50% cobalt, 50% chromium
- 3Hardness only RC 42-47 but wears better than steel
- 430% greater lubricity than steel
- 5Expensive at $200/lb vs $10/lb for ATS-34
- 6Tom Mayo, Strider, Kit Carson made Stellite knives
Famous Uses
Dive knives
Marine applications
Custom folders
Best For
Extreme corrosion environments
Industrial wear applications
Marine use
Similar Steels
Talonite
Similar cobalt alloy class
Not Recommended For
- Forging (impossible)
- Sharpening (grinding only)
- Budget
Expert Tips
- 1Cobalt alloy, not steel
- 2High wear, low hardness paradox
- 3Coarse edge recommended
- 4True stainless properties