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Steel
There are many companies that bring us knife steel, from steel manufacturers to a whole array of suppliers to individual custom knife makers. So I have written a bit about how the supply chain works and some information on individual steel suppliers.
Steel Manufacturers
There are quite a few companies that produce steel used for knives. These are the companies that melt the steel, add the appropriate elements, and cast it into an ingot. Many of these same companies also hot roll and anneal the steel and perhaps cold roll it. Some of the better known knife steel manufacturers include Crucible (S30V, S35VN, CPM-3V, CruWear, CPM-M4, 154CM), Carpenter (CTS-XHP, CTS-BD1N, Maxamet), Hitachi (White #1, Blue Super, ATS-34, ZDP-189), Uddeholm (AEB-L, Elmax, Vanax, Vanadis 4 Extra), Bohler (M390, N690, K390), and Sandvik (12C27, 14C28N). There are also many other steel companies that sell “standard” or lesser known steel grades like Aichi (AUS-8, AUS-10), Ahonest Changjiang (8Cr13MoV, 9Cr18MoV, 7Cr17), or Latrobe (BG42, 440C, D2).
Steel Processors and Suppliers
The steel companies typically want to sell steel in large quantities to large customers. For knife manufacturers of sufficient size they can order directly from the steel company. However, the sales and distribution teams of steel manufacturers typically aren’t equipped to sell individual bars (or even full sheets) to custom knifemakers. That is where the smaller suppliers and distributors come in. They buy steel in larger quantities than an individual knifemaker is capable of purchasing and then distribute it in manageable sizes for custom knifemakers. And they may also import steel grades into their respective countries that are made elsewhere in the world.
Typically the good knife steel suppliers are also experienced in recommendations and troubleshooting for knifemakers that need help with steel selection or heat treating issues. Again, steel companies typically do not have the staff to answer questions from custom knifemakers. The suppliers may have other value-added services such as surface grinding the bars (removing mill scale and providing a better finish and flatness), waterjet cutting of knife blanks, or heat treating.
Some steel products can be more difficult to obtain than others. If a steel supplier has offered a product in the past it may be worth calling to ask if more stock will be in at some point or if they have issues with sourcing the products regularly.
USA
Steel-Focused Suppliers
Niagara is a hot rolling company that hot rolls all of the Crucible knife steels into sheets ready for knifemaking. They will also hot roll grades from other companies such as the Carpenter CD1 steel that is available from their online store currently. Niagara also has a knowledgeable sales staff that sells individual bars to knifemakers. They have an online store that lists current stock, which includes all of the regular Crucible knife steels. They are often the best source for rare Crucible products like CPM-S125V or Rex 121 because any steel hot rolled to knife steel dimensions goes through them. However, you have to call to learn the availability of the more obscure products. Niagara has also introduced or re-introduced Crucible steels for knives like S60V and S45VN, so they have demonstrated a commitment to knives.
AKS is especially good for sourcing Bohler and Uddeholm grades in the USA. They offer products like AEB-L, Elmax, N690, 26C3, M398, etc. that can be difficult to obtain regularly in the United States. They also offer other products like A2, D2, M2, 8670, 80CrV2, 52100, A8 Modified, Z-Wear, Z-Finit/LC200N, Z-Tuff, 1075, 1084, 15N20, K390, CruForgeV, N695, O1, Vanadis 4 Extra, and K390.
SB Specialty Metals is the former Crucible knife steel service division prior to Crucible’s bankruptcy in 2009 at which point Crucible offloaded all of their service centers. So SB has a lot of experience with supplying knife steel. SB is usually the best source for Carpenter steel products like BD1 and XHP which can be particularly difficult to purchase. They offer the sprayform version of D2 called PSF27 which has enhanced toughness over standard D2. They also offer a series of Crucible and standard grades like D2, A2, O1, CPM-154, and S30V. There are other products that aren’t listed in the online store like RWL34, Maxamet, S90V, and 3V, and Scott Devanna of SB recommends calling to learn what is currently available.
NJSB offers their proprietary steel Nitro-V which is a modification of AEB-L. They also offer Crucible steels like CPM-154, 154CM, S30V, S35VN, CPM-3V, and CPM-M4. And a range of standard grades like W1, W2, 1075, 1084, 1095, 15N20, 52100, 80CrV2, AEB-L, A2, D2, L6, and O1.
Admiral recently started offering Sandvik 14C28N which I named my favorite budget steel. They also have a range of other standard knife steel grades like ATS-34, 440C, 154CM, S30V, S35VN, CPM-154, 3V, 8670, 52100, 15N20, 1095, 5160, O1, and D2.
Cupples is known for supplying steel for forging and Damascus steel like 1075, 1080, 1095, 5160, 15N20, CruForgeV, and various powders (1084, 1095, 4600KC, 4800KC, nickel).
General Knife Supply Including Steel
Jantz offers RWL34 and stainless damascus from Damasteel and Mike Norris. And a range of standard knife steels and Crucible steels like 440C, CPM-154, 154CM, S30V, S35VN, S90V, AEB-L, S110V, S60V, CPM-D2, 20CV, 3V, 4V, A2, 80CrV2, 5160, 1084, D2, 1095, CPM-M4, and 52100.
USA Knifemaker has a pretty wide range of knife steel including 1095, 1075, 1084, 15N20, 52100, 80CrV2, 8670, 3V, 10V, CPM-D2, O1, W2, Vanadis 8, Chad Nichols Damascus, Damasteel, AEB-L, 440C, Nitro-V, Elmax, S45VN, CPM-154, S35VN, 20CV, VG10, and S90V. Tracy Mickley of USA Knifemaker tells me they will be getting in 50100 and 5160 in the near future.
Pop’s has a medium size range of knife steels but their offerings are good for what they are. Inventory includes CPM-154, 80CrV2, 1084, 440C, O1, 1085, A2, 8670, S35VN, 15N20, W2, 5160, D2, and 52100.
Tru-Grit offers Damasteel, AEB-L, CPM-154, 440C, 5160, 1095, S30V, XHP, D2, O1, and A2.
Europe
I have experienced very fast shipping to the USA from GFS despite their location in the UK. They offer 8670, Blue #2, White #2, 26C3, 1075, 1075+Cr, 1080, 80CrV2, 1095, 15N20, 52100, O1, O2, 1.2419, 1.2519, A8 Mod, A2, D2, D2, S7, D6, M2, 3V, 4V, Z-Tuff, Z-Wear, 1.2210 (Silver steel), RWL34, 440V, Becut, 17N2, Niolox, N690, Z-Finit/LC200N, CPM-154, S35VN, S90V, S110V, SG2, and VG10.
Barmond in the UK offers 420, 80CrV2, AEB-L, Damasteel, N695, Becut, X50CrMoV15, 14C28N, Silver steel, N690, 15N20, RWL34, V-Toku 2, 135Cr3, Blue Super, Cobalt Special, VG10, and SG2.
Dictum in Germany offers Damasteel, RWL34, VG10, 80CrV2, 52100, D2, 1.4112 (440B), O2, and Blue and White steels.
Brisa in Finland offers X50CrMoV15, 80CrV2, 1074, C130, Silver Steel, O2, N690, RWL34, Elmax, 1095, O1, 15N20, AEB-L, Sleipner, 12C27, D2, Vanax, 52100, VG10, Damasteel, and Balbach Damascus.
Eurotechni in France offers Damasteel, Balbach Damascus, White #2, 10C28Mo2, VG10, Cobalt Special, Vanadis 8, 56Si7, 45Si7, Vanadis 4 Extra, O1, T508, 1045, Nitrobe77, Niolox, 1075, 1.4034 (420HC), RWL34, 440B, 420, D2, 1095, X50CrMoV15, Sleipner, 440A, NCV60, N690, M390, Elmax, C130, O2, 15N20, 80CrV2, 14C28N, W2, 12C27M, and 52100.
This supplier in Germany sells O2, O1, 1.4034 (420HC), D2, N690, 12C27, RWL34, 15N20, VG10, 1075+Cr, A8 Mod, M390, Becut, K390, Nitrobe77, N360, 1.2519, 80CrV2, 440B, 115CrV3, and N695.
This supplier in Austria sells Damasteel, Balbach Damascus, Zladinox Damascus, Elmax, N540/1.4034, D2, K390, M390, N360, N690, S30V, Nitrobe77, RWL34, Niolox, 1095, 52100, 1.2419, 15N20, K600/1.2767, and K720/O2.
SI in Sweden sells Damasteel, RWL34, Nitrobe77, Elmax, 20C, 15N20, and O1.
Other Countries
KnifeMaker.ca (Canada)
KnifeMaker.ca offers Nitro-V, 154CM, CPM-154, S35VN, AEB-L, 440C, 1084, 1095, 15N20, W2, 80CrV2, O1, and 1075.
Gameco Artisan Supplies (Australia)
Gameco offers Damasteel, 1075, 1084, 1095, 15N20, 52100, 80CrV2, A2, D2, L6, O1, W2, CPM-D2, CPM-M4, S30V, S35VN, CPM-154, 14C28N, Nitro-V, 154CM, 440C, 12C27, and RWL34.
Knife Machines Tools & Supplies (South Africa)
KMTs offers D2, O1, 14C28N, 5160, and M390 steels.
Damascus
Then there are small companies that turn steel into other steel products like Damascus. Companies like Nichols Damascus, Mike Norris Damascus, or Damasteel. They don’t make the steel but they are making Damascus Steel. Meaning they have to forge weld, forge out, surface grind, etc steel for distribution. These are more boutique products of course but could be seen as another type of steel manufacturer. Damasteel also distributes some non-Damascus steel products like RWL34 or Nitrobe77.
Influence of Manufacturers vs Suppliers
The steel manufacturers typically have the most power in terms of what steel is going to be made. And especially when it comes to what new products will be developed. However, there have been cases where steel suppliers have been able to push for the development of new products, such as Niagara Specialty Metals with CPM-S45VN or New Jersey Steel Baron with Nitro-V. Sometimes the suppliers are large enough to push for different available sizes (like 1/4″ thick AEB-L) or to bring back defunct products like Niagara did with CPM-S60V. So the suppliers can influence the products that are available. AEB-L has become extremely common in custom knives over the past few years in part because its available greatly increased due to suppliers like Alpha Knife Supply selling it in good sizes. Originally, AEB-L was only available sporadically in few sizes. AKS ordered 65,000 lbs in multiple thicknesses and popularity greatly increased. AKS pursued AEB-L because Devin Thomas encourage them to offer more of the alloy.
So while the steel manufacturers certainly have a lot of control over what steels will be produced and what they are interested in developing, the suppliers can have a big influence on what is available in the custom knife arena. Typically, custom knifemakers aren’t large enough to buy sizable quantities of steel from knife companies, so they are beholden to the knife steel suppliers for what is available.
Importing Steel
Generally, it is possible to purchase steels from the European knife steel suppliers and ship to the USA. Shipping costs and time can vary, of course. I have had good experiences purchasing from some like GFS Knife Supplies which has shipped steel more quickly to me than some USA suppliers and shipping costs were not too bad either. Purchasing from European suppliers can open up some steels which are difficult to obtain in the USA, like Niolox or 1.2519. Looking at the lists of steels available you will notice that a lot of suppliers within Europe offer similar steels and the same is true among USA suppliers. Some products are more available in one region than the other.
From Europe it is a bit more challenging as shipping costs from the USA to Europe are quite high and that is difficult to get around. I have heard that Niagara Specialty Metals and USA Knifemaker are easy to buy steel from in Europe, however. As mentioned above in relation to Crucible steels, Niagara is the best source for rarer Crucible grades, so importing from Niagara is best for purchasing some of those steels.
Summary and Conclusions
Hopefully you have a better feel now for where knife steel comes from. There is quite the list of steel manufacturers, steel processors, and suppliers. The availability of different steel products (and in the right sizes) varies by steel company and supplier and this all affects the steels that we see in both production and custom knives. I think generally it has become easier to buy knife steel as there is more competition among knife supply companies and as custom knife making grows as a hobby. Hopefully this is a trend that continues and we get even more options for knife steel.
Is it correct that, until fairly recently, there were no “knife steels” but knife manufacturers (and custom knife makers) had to use steels that had been developed for broader tool making (or other) purposes? If so, when did steel manufacturers begin to develop grades specifically for use in knives, and what factors caused that change?
Not really. Steels made for knives and swords are about as old as steel itself. And in terms of modern steel development it also goes back to the beginning. For example, 420 was made for knives in 1916 and 440A in 1926. Some people made a big deal out of S30V being “designed for knives” and that seems to have given people a different view on the topic. In terms of how good the steels are, being developed for knives doesn’t necessarily make it any better at the application, and being developed for bearings or plastic processing doesn’t necessarily make it any worse for knives. There is a list of properties that are desirable for knives (and ranges and trade offs within) and if the steel fits somewhere in there it may very well make a good knife.
Thanks, Larrin, for providing a more accurate picture. I didn’t realize that 420 and 440-A had been around that long nor that they were developed for use in knives (probably haven’t been paying adequate attention!).
Jürgen Schanz (schanz-shop . de / Germany sells various knife steels, notably niolox, VG10 and M390
Achim Wirtz of Lohmann Stahl also sells various knife steels, sometimes also has them made to specification (SC145). If you can’t get a particular german steel anywhere else, chances are he has it. https://www.lohmann-stahl.de/kontakt
Dr. Thomas I do believe that NJSB offers S7 as well as his other offerings and some none knife steel suppliers offer S7, but for S5 I only know of Cincinnati Tool Steel as that is where we acquired it. I am sure other suppliers offer S5, but the thinnest it comes is 3/8th inch thick. My job ordered some Blanchard ground 4 mm thick and I made 5 really excellent knives out of the drop offs. All at HRC 61 hard with a nice flat grind. Like my S5 axes everyone wanted one.
A regret of mine is that I did not buy a decent bandsaw to split the 3/8ths S5 1 1/4″ strips in half and make more knives back when I had the facilities, but I was too busy for my hobby. Can you imagine bush crafter going crazy for S5 at 140 ft. lbs. of toughness at RC 59 hard?
In Sweden there is also Castra Steel, that is offering the rare Böhler Uddeholm TWR 135WCrV4. And also 80CrV2, 15n20, 20C, O2, 26c3, 14C28N, C45 and 1.2419.