When it comes to knife steels there is a whole range of properties that we might want to achieve, such as:
- Hardness
- Toughness
- Wear Resistance
- Corrosion Resistance
- Cost
- Forgeability
- Grindability
- Polishability
- Sharpenability
- Availability
- Marketability
Some of these properties are desirable to the end user, but some are mostly for the manufacturer. For example, properties like hardness, toughness, wear resistance, corrosion resistance, and sharpenability are all things you want in your knife steel. Some properties are desired by both buyers and makers, such as low cost. However, the costs are different for the maker than the buyer. A large part of the cost for the manufacturer is grinding and polishing. A steel may be relatively inexpensive but difficult to grind and finish and thus end up relatively expensive to use.
Dr. Larrin gives us a look at what is coming down the pike. Frankly, I think he did such a great job with MagnaCut, that the point of diminishing returns is rapidly approaching if it has not been passed already.
Read the whole thing at KnifeSteelNerds.com