Steel Library/XC75 / C75
Carbon Steel
Beginner Friendly
Budget

XC75 / C75

Heat Treatment Specifications

Austenitizing

Temperature800°C(1472°F)
Soak Time10 minutes

Tempering

Temperature200°C(392°F)
Time120 minutes
Cycles1x

Quench Medium

oil

Target Hardness

58 - 58 HRC

Performance Characteristics

Toughness7/10
Edge Retention6/10
Corrosion Resistance1/10
Ease of Sharpening8.5/10
Overall Score22.5/40

Interesting Facts

  • 1Classic French carbon steel - AFNOR standard
  • 20.75% carbon - equivalent to 1075
  • 3Used by K-Sabatier, Thiers-Issard, Robert Herder
  • 4Takes crazy sharp edge, sharpens very easily
  • 5Develops blue-gray patina over time
  • 6100+ years of French knife-making tradition

Famous Uses

Laguiole knives
French Sabatier knives
Nontron pocket knives

Best For

Budget-tier folding knives
Kitchen cutlery
Entry-level fixed blades

Similar Steels

1075

American equivalent

CK75

German equivalent

Not Recommended For

  • Wet environments
  • Beginners

Expert Tips

  • 1Responds well to traditional heat treatment
  • 2Prone to rust without care
  • 3Good for learning heat-treatment

Track Your XC75 / C75 Heat Treats

Start logging your heat treatment cycles with XC75 / C75. Track what works, compare results, and repeat your best blades.

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