8Cr13MoV is a Chinese-developed blade steel that is closely based on the Japanese AUS-8 alloy, itself a variant of European stainless tool steels.
8Cr13MoV steel is characterized by its moderate carbon content of around 0.8%, along with 13-14.5% chromium and small additions of molybdenum and vanadium.
In contrast, 440C is a higher carbon (1%) stainless steel that is part of the AISI 440 series, which includes the lower carbon 440A and 440B variants.
The key differences between these two stainless steel options lie in their microstructures, hardness, toughness, and corrosion resistance characteristics.
As a lower carbon steel, 8Cr13MoV generally exhibits better toughness and grindability compared to the higher carbon 440C alloy.
However, 440C can potentially achieve higher maximum hardness, which may translate to improved edge retention in some applications.
8Cr13MoV vs 440C At A Glance
| Property | 8Cr13MoV Steel | 440C Steel |
|---|---|---|
| Hardness | Consistently achieves 62.5-63.5 HRC | Achieves 58-60 HRC |
| Toughness | Significantly better toughness than higher carbon 440C. | Lower toughness compared to 8Cr13MoV. |
| Edge Retention** | Comparable to or slightly better than 440C | Comparable to or slightly better than 8Cr13MoV |
| Corrosion Resistance | Slightly lower corrosion resistance than 440C | Better corrosion resistance than 8Cr13MoV |
| Ease of Sharpening/Grindability | Generally easier to sharpen compared to 440C. | More challenging to sharpen and grind consistently |
Hardness
8Cr13MoV steel has a clear advantage over 440C steel in terms of achievable hardness when used in knife applications.
8Cr13MoV can be heat treated to high hardness levels, up to 63 HRC while 440C is capable of reaching hardness level of up to HRC 60.
The ability to consistently harden 8Cr13MoV to 60-63 HRC makes it a more practical and capable knife steel in terms of edge properties, despite 440C having its own advantages.
Toughness
The toughness of 8Cr13MoV steel is significantly better than the higher carbon 440C steel when used in knives. Toughness helps prevent chipping and edge damage, especially during hard use.
Due to the larger carbides in its microstructure, the toughness of 8Cr13MoV is lower than premium fine-grained steels like AEB-L and 14C28N.
However, 8Cr13MoV still has better toughness than most other conventional high carbon stainless steels like 440C, VG-10, and 154CM.
In comparison, 440C is a 1% carbon stainless steel, which typically exhibits lower toughness compared to 8Cr13MoV.
The toughness of 8Cr13MoV is better than most other conventional high carbon stainless steels like 440C, VG10, and 154CM.
This improved toughness of 8Cr13MoV compared to 440C is an important factor when using the steels in knife applications.
The better toughness of 8Cr13MoV makes it a more durable and practical option for many knife designs and use cases.
Edge Retention
The edge retention and wear resistance of 8Cr13MoV steel is comparable, and in some cases better, than the higher carbon 440C steel when used in knives.
The only difference in edge retention will come about due to hardness, if 8Cr13MoV is treated to a higher 63+ HRC it will achieve better edge retention than 440C steel.
The CATRA edge retention performance of 8Cr13MoV is a bit above the lower carbon AEB-L and Nitro-V, but below higher carbon steels like VG10, and 154CM.
In my use of 8Cr13MoV blade steel, I found it showed very similar edge retention to steels like 14C28N and 12C27 steel.
Corrosion Resistance
8Cr13MoV and 440C knife steels are both stainless steels with very good corrosion resistance.
The corrosion resistance of 8Cr13MoV and 440C stainless steels is comparable, though with a slight advantage to 440C stainless steel.
440C steel has a slightly higher chromium content, typically ranging from 16-18%, compared to the 13-14.5% chromium found in 8Cr13MoV.
Higher chromium is generally associated with improved corrosion resistance in stainless steels.
Ease of Sharpening
8Cr13MoV steel has a generally fine carbide structure, but with some larger carbides mixed in. In contrast, 440C is a higher carbon (1%) conventional stainless steel with coarser carbides.
Higher carbon steels generally tend to have a coarser carbide structure, which can make them more challenging to sharpen and grind consistently.
This carbide distribution is typical of conventional cast stainless steels like 8Cr13MoV, as opposed to the more uniform carbide structure of powder metallurgy steels like in S30V.
8Cr13MoV steel may be somewhat easier to sharpen and grind compared to 440C steel.
The finer, more uniform carbide distribution of 8Cr13MoV should result in a sharper, more consistent edge compared to the coarser carbides in 440C.
This makes 8Cr13MoV a more user-friendly option for knife owners who need to regularly sharpen their blades.
Final Thoughts on 8Cr13MoV vs 440C
As a knife enthusiast, I have found my own experiences with these two blade materials to be highly comparable, with neither clearly outperforming the other in my daily use.
Chinese 8Cr13MoV demonstrates that it is a capable and versatile steel, with performance that often matches or exceeds that of the higher carbon 440C.
While 440C may offer slightly higher edge retention over 8Cr13MoV steel at comparable hardness level, 8Cr13MoV will outperform it at a higher HRC.
I have found that the improved toughness and easier grindability of 8Cr13MoV make it a very practical and user-friendly option for most knives.