Sandvik 14C28N produced by Alleima (formerly Sandvik) and Crucible S30V produced by Crucible Industries are two exceptional knife steels respectively.
Sandvik 14C28N boasts exceptional toughness and corrosion resistance, making it a versatile choice for knives that demand durability and edge stability.
On the other hand, Crucible’s S30V takes a different approach, leveraging the power of hard vanadium carbides to deliver unparalleled edge retention and wear resistance.
S30V is produced through a crucible powder metallurgy process while 14C28N steel is conventionally produced.
14C28N vs S30V Steel At A Glance
| Property | S30V Steel | 14C28N Steel |
|---|---|---|
| Toughness | Good toughness for a high-hardness steel. | Exceptional toughness, better than S30V. |
| Edge Retention and Wear Resistance | Superior edge retention and wear resistance . | Superior edge retention and wear resistance. |
| Corrosion Resistance | Above-average corrosion resistance . | Above-average corrosion resistance. |
| Ease of Sharpening and Grinding | More challenging to sharpen and grind. | Easier to sharpen and grind than S30V. |
| Cost | Premium steel due to the specialized Crucible Particle Metallurgy (CPM) production method. | Exceptional toughness is better than S30V. |
Hardness
S30V steels exhibit higher hardness levels compared to 14C28N Steel due to its distinct alloy compositions and microstructure.
The recommended hardness range for 14C28N steel is 55-62 HRC (Rockwell Hardness C scale).
On the other hand, S30V steel can achieve a maximum hardness of around 64 HRC when subjected to appropriate heat treatment, including deep freezing and double tempering.
The hardness of knife steel plays a crucial role in determining its toughness, edge retention, and wear resistance.
Harder steels maintain sharper edges for longer periods, as the high hardness enhances the resistance to abrasive wear and deformation.
However, excessively high hardness can also lead to increased brittleness and reduced toughness, making the blade more susceptible to chipping or breaking under impact loads.
Toughness
A tougher blade steel can withstand more abuse and is less likely to chip or break, ensuring a longer service life.
14C28N steel exhibits better toughness than S30V steel, primarily due to its lower overall carbide content and more uniform microstructure.
Transverse Charpy C-notch Testing from Crucible showed that S30V achieved around 10.0 ft. lbs of impact energy. 14C28N would perform significantly better on this test with values double that of S30V steel.
14C28N toughness is among the best in all stainless steel, only comparable to 420HC steel and AEB-L steel.
Sandvik 14C28N steel achieves its superior toughness because of fewer carbides, as carbides can act as crack initiation sites under impact loads.
Crucible Industries improved the toughness of S30V steel in its subsequent knife steels like S35VN and S45VN.
Edge Retention
S30V steel exhibits better edge retention and wear resistance compared to 14C28N steel, primarily due to its higher overall carbide content and the presence of hard vanadium carbides.
CATRA edge retention testing by Bohler Udderholm showed that at Rockwell hardness of 61 HRC, S30V steel achieved a Total Cards Cut (TCC) of 798.
The CATRA edge retention of 14C28N is expected to be less than that of 440C steel in the 400 to 500 TCC range.
S30V achieves its superior edge retention and wear resistance through its composition and the formation of hard vanadium carbides.
S30V higher carbon content (1.45%) and the addition of 4% vanadium promote the formation of these hard vanadium carbides.
Vanadium Carbides are harder and more effective at providing wear resistance than chromium carbides in other steels.
Additionally, S30V steel higher overall carbide content, estimated at around 14.5% by volume, contributes to its enhanced wear resistance.
More carbides generally translate to improved hardness and abrasion resistance, as the carbides are harder than the surrounding steel matrix.
In contrast, 14C28N steel has a lower overall carbide content due to its lower carbon (0.62%) and lack of vanadium additions.
14c28n still benefits from fine chromium carbides, however, the absence of harder vanadium carbides and the lower overall carbide volume results in slightly reduced wear resistance and edge retention.
Corrosion Resistance
14C28N and S30V are excellent stainless steels, however, 14C28N exhibits slightly better corrosion resistance than S30V, due to its optimized composition and microstructure.
The addition of nitrogen in 14C28N improves its corrosion resistance over the similar 12C27 steel grade from Sandvik.
In 14C28N, the 14% chromium content provides a strong foundation for corrosion resistance, while the 0.11% nitrogen addition further improves this property.
Nitrogen helps to stabilize the passive chromium oxide layer, making it more resistant to breakdown and corrosion.
On the other hand, S30V steel relies on its 14% chromium and 2% molybdenum additions for corrosion resistance.
While molybdenum does enhance corrosion resistance, it may not be as effective as nitrogen in stabilizing the passive layer.
Additionally, S30V higher overall carbide content may result in more chromium being tied up in undissolved carbides, potentially reducing the amount of chromium available for forming the passive film.
Ease of sharpening
Regarding ease of sharpening and grinding, 14C28N steel has an advantage over S30V steel.
The absence of hard vanadium carbides in 14C28N makes it more forgiving during sharpening and grinding processes as compared to S30V.
The presence of hard vanadium carbides in S30V, while beneficial for wear resistance, can make the steel more challenging to sharpen and grind.
Additionally, the vanadium carbides may dislodge from the steel matrix during aggressive sharpening, resulting in small chips or irregularities along the cutting edge.
Cost
14C28N steel, being a conventionally produced steel, tends to be more budget-friendly in comparison to Powder metallurgy S30V.
I believe Sandvik 14C28N steel stands out as the ultimate budget steel.
14c28n knives balance of properties, including impressive toughness, corrosion resistance, and ease of sharpening, make it a true budget steel.
While S30V knives undoubtedly deliver outstanding edge retention and wear resistance, the premium price tag may not be justifiable for all knife enthusiasts, particularly those on a tighter budget.
Final Thoughts on 14C28N vs S30V Steel
I’ve worked with both 14C28N and S30V steels, and S30V is absolutely amazing regarding edge retention and slicing performance.
The hard vanadium carbides in S30V steel composition give it unparalleled wear resistance.
I’ve experienced how well S30V holds an edge on pocket knives and kitchen knives, making it an excellent choice for knives that don’t require frequent sharpening.
However, I would recommend Swedish 14C28N steel for kitchen knives, especially those requiring frequent sharpening.
14C28N is incredibly easy to sharpen, allowing to maintain razor-sharp edges on kitchen knives effortlessly.
Additionally, 14C28N’s exceptional toughness enables thinner, more acute edge geometries, further enhancing its cutting ability.
Both steels offer excellent corrosion resistance, I haven’t noticed any significant difference in their performance during daily use.
For applications where edge retention and wear resistance are prioritized over sharpening convenience, I recommend picking up an S30V knife.