As more and more knife companies use steel made in China, people are getting more and more interested in how good these steels are. Many people are especially interested in 7cr17mov, a steel that is often used in cheap knives.
Even though most knife steels work well enough for most tasks, people who use knives should be aware of the pros and cons of 7cr17mov. For example, it is hard like high-carbon steel but not as tough as some of the more expensive alloys. It doesn’t keep its edge as well as other metals, but it’s great at not getting rusty.
Read on to learn more about how 7Cr17MoV stainless steel is made and what makes it good for making knives.
What is 7Cr17MoV Steel?
China makes 7Cr17MoV, which is a type of stainless steel. It is a changed version of 440A steel, with more vanadium (V) added to make it even harder and more resistant to wear.
Unlike other types of stainless steel, it has a relatively high amount of chromium, which gives it its special ability to resist corrosion. It’s made of martensitic steel, which means it was quickly cooled when it was made. 7Cr17mov steel is used by knife makers to make survival knives and other knives for the outdoors.
It can take more abuse and wear and tear than other kinds of steel, but you may still find it in some kitchen knives.
7Cr17MoV Chemical composition
The parts of 7Cr17MoV stainless steel that make it good for outdoor knives are listed below:
- Carbon: 0.70%
- Chromium: 17%–18%
- Silicon: 1%
- Phosphorus: 0.04%
- Sulfur: 0.03%
- Molybdenum: 0.75%
- Vanadium: 0.10%–0.20%
- Manganese: 1%
The steel in 7Cr17MoV is hard because of the carbon in it. It also makes things last longer and wear less. The 17% to 18% chromium in the steel keeps it from rusting, and the 1% silicon makes it strong.
Molybdenum makes 7Cr17MoV easier to work with because it has 0.75% of it. Molybdenum and sulfur are also added to steel to make it stronger. Manganese makes the material harder, and phosphorus makes it stronger and tougher.
7Cr17MoV characteristics: How is it as a kitchen knife steel?
7cr17mov has some interesting qualities that come from the parts that make it up. With the steel’s detailed chemical composition, we can figure out how it works and if it’s good for making knives.
Hardness
60 HRC is how hard 7Cr17MoV is on the Rockwell scale. It is very hard because it has a lot of carbon, chromium, and vanadium. This makes it a good choice for knives that get used a lot in the outdoors. Even though it’s not as hard as some of the more expensive alloys, it’s still harder than most high-carbon steels.
Toughness
First of all, steel’s toughness is not the same as its hardness. Steel can be hard but brittle, which means it is not tough. The hardness of steel is a measure of how well it resists deformation and breaks.
7cr17mov steel is a hard steel, which means it isn’t as tough as some other steel. It’s still resilient enough for the majority of outdoor knives and survival blades, though. It can be used over and over again in harsh outdoor conditions without chipping or breaking.
Edge retention
Because sulfur and phosphorus are present, the material is more brittle, which makes it less likely to hold an edge. It’s not the best in this area, but most users will find it good enough. The steel is tough enough to resist distortion and wear thanks to the inclusion of vanadium and the high carbon content, although regular sharpening is still necessary.
Corrosion resistance
7Cr17MoV has 17% chromium, which is higher than most other types of stainless steel. Chromium makes the steel more resistant to corrosion, and because there is a lot of it in 7Cr17MoV, it can fight rust, stains, and other types of corrosion.
Ease of Sharpening
As 7Cr17MoV isn’t the hardest steel, it’s not too hard to sharpen. Even if you haven’t sharpened knives before, you can still get a good edge on this steel. But it will need to be sharpened often to keep its edge.
7cr17mov vs. other steel
Here’s how 7cr17mov steel compares to some other popular knife steels.
7cr17mov vs. 440A steel
The elements and make-up of 440A and 7cr17MoV are very similar. Both are made of a lot of carbon and chromium, which makes them hard and resistant to corrosion. The presence of extra vanadium in 7cr17MoV distinguishes it from the other material the most.
7cr17mov vs. AUS-8
AUS-8 is Japanese steel. It is more resistant to corrosion and keeps its edge better than 7cr17mov. AUS-8 is stronger than 7cr17mov, but it is harder to sharpen. On the Rockwell scale, the level of hardness of both knives is almost the same. The hardness of AUS-8 is 59 HRC, while the hardness of 7cr17mov is 60 HRC. There isn’t a big difference in how hard each steel is, and both are considered hard steel.
7cr17MoV vs. 9Cr18MoV
9Cr18MoV steel is also made in China. It is a lot like 7cr17MoV, but there are a few small differences. 9Cr18MoV is stronger and keeps its edge better than 7cr17MoV. The hardness of 9Cr18MoV is not as high as that of 7cr17MoV, but both steels are very resistant to rust.
FAQs
How strong is 7cr17mov?
7cr17mov is a knife made out of high-carbon stainless steel. It has a high tensile strength and can hold up in rough weather. The steel is also resistant to rust because it has a lot of chromium in it. It also has a high hardness level on the Rockwell scale, at 60 HRC.
Is 7cr17mov easy to sharpen?
Although 7cr17mov is a hard steel, it isn’t the hardest available. Because of this, sharpening is not too difficult. Even novices and people with less expertise can achieve a decent edge with this steel. The knife will keep its edge if it is sharpened frequently.
Is 7cr17mov good for kitchen knives?
7cr17mov is a good steel for knives that see a lot of usage, such as outdoor knives. When it comes to kitchen knives, it’s not the finest option. Insufficient edge retention is the main cause. In the kitchen, you need steel that has a long edge-retention lifespan.
Final Words
7cr17mov is a good steel for knives that get a lot of use, like those used in outdoors. It is very resistant to corrosion and wear. It’s also strong enough to stand up to harsh outdoor conditions. Even though it doesn’t have the best edge retention, most people can still use it. Also, it’s not too hard to sharpen.
