Nitro-V is a stainless steel developed and produced by New Jersey Steel Baron in collaboration with Buderus Steel, while VG10 is a Japanese steel developed by Takefu Special Steel.
Nitro-V incorporates vanadium for grain refinement and nitrogen for enhanced corrosion resistance, while VG10 features molybdenum for improved hardenability and cobalt for tempering resistance.
Nitro-V excels in toughness and ease of sharpening due to its refined microstructure and low vanadium carbide content, making it a forgiving choice for daily use and maintenance.
Conversely, VG10’s higher chromium carbide content contributes to superior edge retention and wear resistance, which is desirable for tasks that require extended cutting performance.
VG10 vs Nitro V Steel At A Glance
| Property | Nitro-V Steel | VG10 Steel |
|---|---|---|
| Hardness | Capable of reaching approx. 64 HRC | Can achieve hardness around 60 HRC or below. |
| Toughness | Significantly better toughness, close to twice that of VG10. | Lower toughness compared to Nitro-V. |
| Edge Retention | lower than VG10 based on carbide content and composition. | Better edge retention compared to Nitro-V |
| Corrosion Resistance | Slightly less or similar to VG10 steel in corrosion resistance | Slightly better corrosion resistance |
| Ease of Sharpening/Grindability | Easier to sharpen and grind compared to VG10 | Relatively easy to sharpen and grind |
Hardness
VG10 can achieve a hardness of around 60 HRC or below, while Nitro-V is capable of reaching approximately 64 HRC when heat treated for maximum hardness.
The peak hardness of Nitro-V is relatively similar to AEB-L, which is around 64 HRC, comparable to VG10’s stated hardness range.
Hardness is an important property as it affects other properties like toughness, edge retention and ease of sharpening.
Toughness
Nitro-V steel exhibits significantly better toughness compared to VG10 steel, with values close to twice as high as those of VG10.
Nitro-V achieved an average toughness of 6.5 ft-lbs in charpy impact testing, while VG10 had an average of 5.8 ft-lbs under similar heat treatment conditions.
This higher toughness of Nitro-V steel makes it more resistant to chipping or fracturing when subjected to impact forces, which is desirable for knives that may encounter demanding cutting tasks or accidental impacts.
The superior toughness of Nitro-V can be attributed to its lower carbon content and refined microstructure compared to VG10, as well as the presence of elements like chromium and molybdenum, which contribute to strengthening the matrix while maintaining toughness.
Edge Retention
VG10 steel demonstrates better edge retention compared to Nitro-V steel.
In CATRA slicing edge retention testing, VG10 steel performed slightly better than 440C steel. Nitro-V’s edge retention, it is estimated to be lower than VG10 based on its carbide content and composition.
The superior edge retention of VG10 can be attributed to its higher volume of hard carbides, particularly chromium carbides, which are more resistant to wear and abrasion.
VG10 contains 1% carbon, 15% chromium, and small additions of molybdenum and vanadium, all of which contribute to the formation of these hard carbides.
The presence of these hard carbides in VG10’s microstructure helps maintain a sharper cutting edge for a longer period, making it more suitable for knives that require excellent slicing performance and less frequent sharpening.
Corrosion Resistance
VG10 steel exhibits slightly better corrosion resistance compared to Nitro-V steel, although the difference is minimal.
The corrosion resistance of stainless steels is primarily influenced by the chromium content and the amount of chromium that remains in solution after heat treatment.
VG10 has 15% chromium, which is slightly higher than the 13.3% chromium in Nitro-V.
Additionally, VG10 contains 1% molybdenum, which also contributes to improved corrosion resistance by supporting the chromium’s protective oxide layer.
Ease of Sharpening
VG10 is likely to be easier to sharpen and grind compared to Nitro-V, although the difference may be relatively minor due to Nitro-V’s low vanadium carbide content.
VG10 has no vanadium carbides, which are known to be harder than the standard aluminum oxide abrasives used for sharpening and grinding.
This makes VG10 relatively easy to sharpen and grind, similar to other stainless steels without vanadium carbides, such as 440C or 19C27.
On the other hand, Nitro-V is expected to have a small amount of vanadium carbide around 0.5%, though less than steels like Elmax, S35VN, S30V, and M390.
The presence of these harder vanadium carbides can make sharpening and grinding more challenging, as they are more resistant to abrasion.
Final Thoughts on VG10 vs Nitro V Steel
Having used both VG10 and Nitro-V in pocket and kitchen knives, I find they each have some advantages.
VG10 blade steel’s edge retention and corrosion resistance have impressed me over time. However, through testing and use, I generally prefer Nitro-V steel for its superior toughness and easier sharpening.
The added toughness of Nitro-V makes it more forgiving in daily use, while the ease of sharpening saves time maintaining the edge.
While VG10 requires a bit more patience to sharpen, its wear resistance rewards that effort.
For most knife users, I think Nitro-V’s greater corrosion resistance, toughness, and edge stability outweigh the subtle edge retention advantage of VG10.
Unless maximizing edge holding is critical, Nitro-V offers an excellent balance of attributes for general-purpose stainless steel knives.
Based on my experience, Nitro-V stainless steel would be my first recommendation. VG10 is also a solid Japanese stainless steel option if you value edge retention over ease of sharpening.
I would also caution that there are lots of VG10 Chinese knockoffs in the market, so I recommend purchasing knives from reputable dealers.