8 Knife Steels Explained Simply (No Marketing BS)

Written By James Biggs

Premium MagnaCut steel and Budget 8Cr13MoV steel

If you’ve ever looked at a knife and seen names like MagnaCut, S35VN, or 8Cr13MoV and had no idea what they mean, you’re not alone.

Most steel explanations online are either overly technical or full of marketing.

This is the simple version—based on what actually matters and what we see from sharpening knives every day.

The Only 3 Things That Matter

Every knife steel comes down to three things:

Edge retention
How long the knife stays sharp.

Corrosion resistance
How well it resists rust.

Toughness
How well it resists chipping or breaking.

Every steel is a balance of these three. There is no perfect steel—only what’s best for how you use your knife.

Budget Steels

These are common, affordable, and perfectly usable for most people.

8Cr13MoV

  • Easy to sharpen

  • Good corrosion resistance

  • Loses edge faster than higher-end steels

Best for: everyday use, casual users, and budget-friendly knives

3Cr13MoV

  • Very corrosion resistant

  • Soft steel (won’t hold an edge long)

  • Extremely easy to sharpen

Best for: light use and low-cost knives

Mid-Range Steels

This is where you start getting noticeably better performance.

14C28N

  • Great balance across the board

  • Good edge retention

  • Very corrosion resistant

  • Tough and forgiving

Best for: one of the best all-around steels for most people

D2 (Semi-Stainless)

  • Strong edge retention

  • More wear resistant

  • Less corrosion resistant (can rust if neglected)

Best for: users who want longer edge life and don’t mind basic maintenance

VG-10

  • Good edge retention

  • High corrosion resistance

  • Can be a bit brittle if abused

Best for: kitchen knives and everyday carry

Premium Steels

These are designed for higher performance, but come at a higher cost.

S30V / S35VN

  • Strong edge retention

  • Good corrosion resistance

  • More wear resistant than mid-range steels

Best for: users who want a noticeable upgrade in performance

MagnaCut

  • Excellent edge retention

  • Outstanding corrosion resistance

  • Very high toughness

Best for: people who want top-tier performance without major trade-offs

What We See From Sharpening Every Day

One thing most people don’t realize:

Different steels don’t just perform differently—they feel different when you sharpen them.

From our experience:

  • Steels like 8Cr13MoV sharpen quickly but need frequent touch-ups

  • Steels like S35VN and MagnaCut take longer to sharpen but hold an edge much longer

That’s often the biggest difference people notice over time.

So Which Steel Should You Choose?

There’s no single “best” steel.

It depends on how you use your knife:

  • Want something easy to maintain? → Budget or mid-range

  • Want longer edge life? → Mid-range to premium

  • Want top performance? → Premium steels

For most people, a good mid-range steel like 14C28N or VG-10 is more than enough.

Final Thoughts

Don’t get caught up in steel names alone.

A well-made knife with a solid heat treatment will outperform a poorly made knife with a “premium” steel every time.

If you’re not sure what’s right for you, feel free to stop by the shop or reach out—we’re always happy to help.

James Biggs
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