Optimized chemistry provides a top-grade knife steel with a unique combination of excellent edge performance (stability and ability to take an edge), high hardness, and good corrosion resistance. Sandvik 14c28N is a very good steel for knives due to the composition, its purity and ability but take a very fine edge. However, it has a tendency to become softer than ideal with conventional heat treatment routines. Casström adds a cryogenic treatment cycle at subzero temperatures with the use of liquid nitrogen after quenching to make the blades harder and improve the steel structure. The process results in a blade that has a higher hardness than a conventionally hardened blade and that keeps a better edge for longer by optimising the potential of the Sandvik 14c28n steel. When using Cryogenic treatment Sandvik 14C28N is probably the most balanced stainless steel available for bushcraft knives offering great toughness, high wear resistance and great stain resistance.
Composition:
C. 0.62 Si. 0.2 Mn. 0.6 P. 0.025 S. 0.01 Cr. 14.0 N. 0.11
(~HRC 60)