Quality of the Steel

[Outback in Idaho]

One thing I did miss seeing on the Victorinox & Wenger knife stats if there is no mention as to what type of steel and other materials that are utilized in their tools.

Only seen a segment in the Nation Geographics Review that they test each stainless steel roll for various qualities before it will be used, Must be rigid, yet flexible. Nothing else.

So are these companies using a super hybrid of high carbon, or ...

[Marius]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swiss_Army_knife
 
Quote:
 
"The martensitic stainless steel alloy used for the cutting blades is optimized for high toughness and corrosion resistance and has a composition of 15% chromium, 0.60% silicon, 0.52% carbon, 0.50% molybdenum, and 0.45% manganese and is designated X55CrMo14 or 1.4110 according to Victorinox. After a hardening process at 1040 °C and annealing at 160 °C the blades achieve an average blade steel hardness of 56 HRC. This steel hardness is suitable for practical use and easy resharpening, but less than achieved in stainless steel alloys used for blades optimized for high wear resistance.[16][17][18]
According to Victorinox the martensitic stainless steel alloy used for the parts is X39Cr13 or 1.4031 and for the springs X20Cr13 or 1.4021.[19]

The steel used for the wood saws, scissors and nail files has a steel hardness of HRC 53, the screwdrivers, tin openers and awls have a hardness of HRC 52, and the corkscrew and springs have a hardness of HRC 49.

The metal saws and files, in addition to the special case hardening, are also subjected to a hard chromium plating process so that iron and steel can also be filed and cut.[15][20]"

http://www.sosakonline.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=93&Itemid=61

"This is credited as Info by Victorinox -
 For both blades we use chrome molydenum stainless steel with 0.52% carbon, 15% chromium, 0.5% molydenum, 0.45% manganese and 0.6% silicium. After a sophisticated hardening process at 1040°C and an annealing temperature of 160°C the blades achieve a hardness of RC 56. * The woodsaw, scissors and nail files have a hardness of RC 53, the screwdriver, tin opener and awl a hardness of RC 52, and the corkscrew and springs RC 49. * The metal saw and file, in addition to the special case hardening, are also subjected to a hard chromium plating process so that iron and steel can also be filed und cut. * The separators have been made from aluminium alloy since 1951. This makes the knife lighter and easier to carry in one\'s pocket. Formerly these separating layers were made of nickel-silver. "

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/679189-Victorinox-Steel

"So, basically it's 440A stainless. At least that's what the composition of the materials says it is."

 

 

[Marius]

And from the last link:



and:

[Outback in Idaho]

Aha! Victorinox: Everything you need to know about Multi-tools and cutlery (PDF) 11MB

Thanks fellas! You're all bonzer!!

[ColoSwiss]

1.4110 is a European steel that doesn't have a precise US equivalent, but seems to fall somewhere between 425M and 440A.

http://www.stal.com.cn/pdffile/410420425440a.pdf