Blade Steels
Kershaw blades are made from a range of steels, each with their own strengths in edge retention, corrosion resistance, and sharpening ease.
CPM 3V
A high carbon tool steel that resists edge chipping with superior toughness. It has a high volume of vanadium carbides for greater wear resistance and hardness.
HRC: 59-61
EDGE RETENTION: 5/10
TOUGHNESS: 9/10
CORROSION RESISTANCE: 5.5/10
SHARPENING EASE: 6/10
CPM 154
This powdered metallurgy steel has a more uniform distribution of carbides, so it takes and holds an excellent edge. Also offers good corrosion resistance, wear resistance, and toughness.
HRC: 58–60
EDGE RETENTION: 6/10
TOUGHNESS: 4/10
CORROSION RESISTANCE: 6/10
SHARPENING EASE: 5/10
CPM Cru-Wear
A balanced, high-performance formula, this tool steel excels in toughness for hard use. It also features solid edge retention, and users can easily sharpen this steel in the field.
HRC: 62-64
EDGE RETENTION: 5.5/10
TOUGHNESS: 8/10
CORROSION RESISTANCE: 5.5/10
SHARPENING EASE: 6/10
CPM M4
The formula for this premium tool steel includes high amounts of vanadium and molybdenum. This composition creates exceptional edge retention and toughness.
HRC: 60-62
EDGE RETENTION: 9/10
TOUGHNESS: 7/10
CORROSION RESISTANCE: 2/10
SHARPENING EASE: 3/10
CPM MagnaCut
This powdered metallurgy steel eliminates chromium during heat treatment, allowing for vanadium and niobium to form greater carbides near the cutting edge. This formula creates an exceptional balance of edge retention, toughness, and corrosion resistance.
HRC: 62-64
EDGE RETENTION: 7.5/10
TOUGHNESS: 8/10
CORROSION RESISTANCE: 9/10
SHARPENING EASE: 2/10
CPM S30V
Large carbides in this all-around premium knife steel make it take and hold an edge extremely well; it is also very tough and wear resistant.
HRC: 59.5–61
EDGE RETENTION: 7/10
TOUGHNESS: 5/10
CORROSION RESISTANCE: 7/10
SHARPENING EASE: 5/10
14C28N
This high-performance steel was developed in a partnership between Kershaw and a Swedish engineering company specializing in stainless and special steel alloys. 14C28N offers excellent corrosion resistance.
HRC: 58–60
EDGE RETENTION: 4/10
TOUGHNESS: 6/10
CORROSION RESISTANCE: 6/10
SHARPENING EASE: 6/10
D2
This “semi-stainless” tool steel is known for excellent edge retention, wear resistance, and good toughness.
HRC: 59–60
EDGE RETENTION: 8/10
TOUGHNESS: 6/10
CORROSION RESISTANCE: 2/10
SHARPENING EASE: 3/10
N690
Bohler’s N690 stainless steel offers high chromium for corrosion resistance, with cobalt and tungsten enhancing edge stability and wear resistance. The result is a balanced steel known for durability, sharpness, and reliability in everyday and outdoor use.
HRC: 58–60
EDGE RETENTION: 4.5/10
TOUGHNESS: 3.5/10
CORROSION RESISTANCE: 8/10
SHARPENING EASE: 6.5/10
8Cr13MoV
Kershaw precision heat-treats 8Cr13MoV steel to bring out its very best high-performance characteristics: the ability to take and hold an edge, strength, and hardness.
HRC: 57–59
EDGE RETENTION: 3/10
TOUGHNESS: 5/10
CORROSION RESISTANCE: 3/10
SHARPENING EASE: 8/10
8Cr14MoV
The formula for this steel has additional chromium for added stain resistance. It also benefits from Kershaw’s expertise in precision heat treatment.
HRC: 58–59
7Cr17Mov
Similar to 440A stainless steel, but with a formula that has added molybdenum and vanadium to improve hardness and wear resistance.
HRC: 57–59
420HC
This modified 420 steel has higher amounts of carbon and chromium to boost hardenability and corrosion resistance. It is an excellent everyday steel: tough, corrosion resistant, easy to sharpen, and takes a good edge.
HRC: 58
EDGE RETENTION: 3/10
TOUGHNESS: 5/10
CORROSION RESISTANCE: 8/10
SHARPENING EASE: 9/10
420J
Highly stain resistant, but ductile, this steel is excellent for use where “flex” is desirable, for example, in fillet knives.
HRC: 56–58
EDGE RETENTION: 2/10
TOUGHNESS: 5/10
CORROSION RESISTANCE: 8/10
SHARPENING EASE: 9/10
Din 1.4116
Exceptionally corrosion resistant and very tough, this German stainless steel is one of the most popular steels for kitchen knives. It is very easy to re-sharpen when the time comes.
HRC: 55–57
65Mn
A tough, durable carbon steel designed for hard-use tools such as Kershaw’s Camp Series machetes.
HRC: 56
3Cr13
A value-priced high-chromium stainless steel.
HRC: 54–56
4Cr14
A value-priced steel; very highly stain resistant.
HRC: 55–57
CPM 20CV
This powdered metallurgy tool steel has a high volume of vanadium carbides for exceptional wear resistance and edge retention. The highest level of chromium of any high-vanadium steel gives it excellent corrosion resistance.
HRC: 59–61
EDGE RETENTION: 9/10
TOUGHNESS: 6/10
CORROSION RESISTANCE: 7/10
SHARPENING EASE: 2/10
CPM S35VN
S35VN modifies the formula of S30V for enhanced toughness and resistance to edge chipping with no loss of wear resistance. Its formula promotes the formation of niobium carbides along with the vanadium and chromium carbides. It provides a sharper, longer lasting edge.
HRC: 60-62
EDGE RETENTION: 8/10
TOUGHNESS: 6/10
CORROSION RESISTANCE: 7/10
SHARPENING EASE: 5/10
Vegas Forge Damascus
This Damascus steel features unique and stunning patterns created by Vegas Forge Damascus. Precision made in the USA, Vegas Forge Damascus delivers high performance and appearance.
EDGE RETENTION: 4/10
TOUGHNESS: 5/10
CORROSION RESISTANCE: 7.5/10
SHARPENING EASE: 7/10
| Blade Steel | Carbon (C) | Chromium (Cr) | Molybdenum (Mo) | Vanadium (V) | Tungsten (W) | Cobalt (Co) | Nickel (Ni) | Manganese (Mn) | Silicon (Si) | Sulphur (S) | Phosphous (P) | Copper (Cu) | Niobium (Nb) | Nitrogen (N) |
| CPM 20CV | 1.9% | 20% | 1% | 4% | 0.6% | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| CPM 3V | 0.8% | 7.5% | 1.3% | 2.75% | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| CPM S30V | 1.45% | 14% | 2% | 4% | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | 0.2% |
| CPM S35VN | 1.4% | 14% | 2% | 3% | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | 0.5% | – |
| CPM MagnaCut | 1.15% | 10.7% | 2% | 4% | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | 2% | 0.2% |
| CPM M4 | 1.4% | 4% | 5.2% | 4% | 5.5% | – | – | 0.3% | 0.55% | 0.06% | 0.03% | – | 2 | 0.2% |