Why do we choose 14C28N?
14C28N is a type of stainless steel that’s becoming quite popular in the knife-making industry, especially for high-performance, budget-friendly blades. It's known for its edge retention, corrosion resistance, and overall durability, making it a solid choice for tactical knives, EDC knives, and outdoor tools.
Breakdown of 14C28N Steel
Composition
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Carbon (C): 0.62% — contributes to edge retention and hardness.
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Chromium (Cr): 14.0% — provides corrosion resistance and improves hardness (hence the name 14C28N).
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Nitrogen (N): 0.10% — increases corrosion resistance and enhances grain structure.
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Manganese (Mn): 0.40% — increases hardness and toughness.
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Silicon (Si): 0.30% — improves oxidation resistance.
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Sulfur (S) and Phosphorus (P): Low levels, which helps improve toughness and flexibility.
Key Properties of 14C28N
| Property | Details |
|---|---|
| Corrosion Resistance | High (thanks to 14% Chromium), great for humid, salty, or wet environments. |
| Edge Retention | Good balance — better than softer steels (like 440C or 420HC), though not as exceptional as S30V or M390. |
| Toughness | Tougher than many other stainless steels, making it less prone to chipping under stress. |
| Ease of Sharpening | Relatively easy to sharpen for a stainless steel. It holds an edge well but isn’t as hard to sharpen as steels like D2 or S35VN. |
| Wear Resistance | Excellent for general use but not suited for extreme abrasions (like ceramic). |
Why 14C28N Is Popular
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Versatility: Great balance of hardness and toughness, which makes it suitable for everyday carry (EDC), tactical knives, hunting knives, and outdoor tools.
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Corrosion Resistance: The 14% chromium content provides strong resistance to rust, making it a favorite for marine, camping, and bushcraft knives.
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Affordable Performance: It's a great value for its performance, offering a mix of decent edge retention and corrosion resistance at a more budget-friendly price compared to high-end steels like S35VN or CPM-3V.
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Ease of Maintenance: It's easier to sharpen compared to steels like D2 or CPM S30V, which require more specialized tools.
Performance vs. Other Steels
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14C28N vs. 440C:
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440C has similar corrosion resistance but lower edge retention.
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14C28N has better toughness and sharpening ease.
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14C28N vs. D2:
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D2 is known for edge retention, but it's prone to corrosion unless cared for properly.
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14C28N holds a middle ground — better corrosion resistance than D2 and easier to maintain, but D2 wins in edge retention.
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14C28N vs. S30V:
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S30V offers better edge retention and overall performance, but it's harder to sharpen and more expensive.
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14C28N has a better balance between performance and affordability for everyday use.
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Pros of 14C28N Steel
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Great corrosion resistance — perfect for wet, humid, or marine environments.
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Affordable for the performance level it provides.
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Easier to sharpen than higher-end steels like S35VN or M390.
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Good toughness — won’t chip easily like more brittle steels.
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Versatile for various tasks, from tactical use to outdoor activities and EDC.
Cons of 14C28N Steel
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Edge retention isn’t as high as premium steels like S30V, M390, or CPM-20CV.
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Not as tough as high-end steels like CPM-3V for extreme impact situations.
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Might require more frequent sharpening compared to ultra-durable steels.
Summary
14C28N steel is a stainless steel that offers a solid balance of corrosion resistance, edge retention, and toughness at a relatively affordable price. It’s great for knives that are exposed to tough conditions (like water or salt) but don’t need to handle extreme impacts or cutting tasks over long periods. Its easy maintainability and good versatility make it ideal for EDC knives, tactical knives, and general utility knives.
