14C28N steel

I know that 14C28N is supposed to be more corrosion resistant, but I have not tried Kershaw's 13C26 so I cannot compare the two for edge retention.
 
Alright well in my extensive rope/cardboard testing the 13c26 holds a very good edge, and sharpens to a finer edge than 154cm. The edge retention is nothing like 154, I would say it is about one step below vg10. However it sharpens easily, polishes beautifully, takes a wickedly thin edge, and will cut very smoothly for a good amount of time.
 
All of the Sandvik alloys are very clean and of the best quality control. I've never had a bad experience with it. All of them take a wickedly sharp edge and hold it for a decent amount of use. As always, it will depend on the heat treat. I had read one time that Kershaw ran it's 13c26 at 55-57RC and the Skyline I had in that steel performed like it was around 55RC. I read another place that they ran it 56-58RC. I do know that my Kabar folders in AUS8A (56-58RC) held an edge longer than the Skyline in 13c26, in side by side testing.

I've not used any of the 14c28 personally, but it's getting a very good reputation as a good all around steel.
 
cramsey3006 said:
All of the Sandvik alloys are very clean and of the best quality control. I've never had a bad experience with it. All of them take a wickedly sharp edge and hold it for a decent amount of use. As always, it will depend on the heat treat. I had read one time that Kershaw ran it's 13c26 at 55-57RC and the Skyline I had in that steel performed like it was around 55RC. I read another place that they ran it 56-58RC. I do know that my Kabar folders in AUS8A (56-58RC) held an edge longer than the Skyline in 13c26, in side by side testing.

I've not used any of the 14c28 personally, but it's getting a very good reputation as a good all around steel.
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The 14C28N is ran to 58-60 from what kershaw told me. I haven't used it extensively but I've heard people say it performed about the same as aus-8, but maybe I got lucky with my batch it beat my crkt's and cold steels
 
The 14C28n Sandvik was developed in partnership by Kershaw and used exclusively by KAI. The steel is not bad at all, and they respond very well to good heat treatment and quenching techniques. I find it to be better than most company's 440C. Actually I find it quite comparable to VG10, I would prefer VG10, but 14C28N isn't far off at all. 13C26 is a little better than 420HC, and has a similar composition, and just like 420HC, when the proper heat treatment is applied it is excellent.
 
spyderco lover said:
My mistake sir, I meant 13C26. I'm trying to decide between a skyline and an NRG 1740 for an edc, but I wanted to find out people's preference between the two steels
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In cases like this, I would purchase based off of other knife features instead of two very similar steels. Edge geometry and grind, blade shape, handle ergonomics and lock, etc....
 
goodeyesniper said:
In cases like this, I would purchase based off of other knife features instead of two very similar steels. Edge geometry and grind, blade shape, handle ergonomics and lock, etc....
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I agree and FWIW I've owned a couple skylines and still own an Ener-g. The Ener-g is a far better knife IMO.
 
My own experience with this steel is that it will take an edge so sharp it ought to be illegal. Really, if heat treated properly it seems to hold a very sharp edge longer than VG-10 and S30V but these will hold a less sharp working edge longer. That is my take on it. The best thing is that it is extremely easy to put back to hair popping sharpness and a novice could do it, whereas something like S30V takes a lot more effort.
 
14C28N outperforms AUS-8 in cut tests. It is on par with VG10 from what I can tell. I had to sharpen AUS-8 more often than the 14C28N. Had a Kershaw Blur in 14C28N and it was heavily used. I didn't need to sharpen it all that often. It would cut and cut and cut!
 
necro.jpg
 
I am going out on a limb here, I have noticed and it has bothered me. I think it is okay to resurrect an old thread rather than create a new one about a topic because I find it a little ironic that they are those who also complain how a topic has been talked about before, ad nauseam, and all one has to do is research or search the old threads to find it. When an old thread is resurrected, after searching for it as suggested, the comments come out again that why bring it back? As if the discussion has lost some of its relevance when it the subject is raised again.

My point, it is both ok to resurrect an old thread, (yes it is surprising to see it after being dormant for so long, or another which EDC do I carry), or create a new one. The expansion and enjoyment of our hobby is the point. As long as the discussion remains positive and useful.
 
It can be ok to bring back an old thread in some cases. However, when someone is responding to people from several years ago or asking questions as if those people are going to answer them, it is clear that the new poster simply didn't look at the dates.
 
My experience with the stainless mora garberg in that steel is very positive
Good toughness and edge holding as well as quite stainless
 
I have a lot of experience with 14C28N. It continues to be an excellent budget steel so I think it's still worth talking about it.

Of course, heat treatment and blade geometry will make a big difference in how a knife performs. Based on what I've had, performance is somewhere between 12C27 and VG-10. Corrosion resistance should be good. I've never had one rust but caring for my knives, I can say that about less resistant steels too. Overall, I see 14C28N as a plus in knives under $50 and acceptable up until VG-10 or N690 becomes an option.
 
My Kershaw bareknuckle’s blade is made from that steel. I open boxes and strip wire with it at work. For the last year, the only sharpening I’ve had to do, was to run it across my strop with some diamond paste to get it back to razor sharp condition.
 
Chronovore said:
I have a lot of experience with 14C28N. It continues to be an excellent budget steel so I think it's still worth talking about it.

Of course, heat treatment and blade geometry will make a big difference in how a knife performs. Based on what I've had, performance is somewhere between 12C27 and VG-10. Corrosion resistance should be good. I've never had one rust but caring for my knives, I can say that about less resistant steels too. Overall, I see 14C28N as a plus in knives under $50 and acceptable up until VG-10 or N690 becomes an option.
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Having just gotten a "like" on this comment from 2019, I want to amend it for 2022. Go figure, I've learned a little since then. ☺️

I've continued to have knives in 14C28N in my EDC rotation without fail. This steel has served me well since my first Leek back in 2004. I actually carried a Civivi Riffle in 14C28N today. Edge retention is decent. Corrosion resistance is very good. It's one of the toughest stainless steels available. It's easy to sharpen too. What's not to like?

At least for me, the edge retention of 14C28N is "good enough" for daily carry. It is noticeably better than 8Cr13Mov or lesser steels. However, the difference between 14C28N and VG-10 is less noticeable to me. For instance, 8Cr13Mov drops from a crisp fine edge to a ho-hum working edge fairly quickly. The drop in sharpness is noticeable and annoying. The transition seems longer and more gradual with either 14C28N or VG-10. Both of those steels hold an edge long enough that I don't really think about it.

As far as pricing, I just saw a PMP Big Boy in 14C28N drop for $189. I don't know what kind of magic heat treatment they use but that feels ludicrously high for 14C28N. I feel the same about the Bestech knives in 14C28N that go for over $100. If I'm paying over $100 for a production knife, I want a higher-performance steel. I think 14C28N is a good value in a lot of the more budget-friendly knives I see from Civivi, Ruike, or Harnds.
 
It's very close to AUS-8 and 420/440 steels
which of course are good steels
EDC and use :^)
 
Tsujigiri said:
Was 14c28n really developed for razor blades? I thought that was 12c27, and 14c28n is Kershaw's proprietary steel made for them by Sandvik. It's supposed to be an improvement without a significant cost increase, and is one of the few steels out there developed specifically for knives.
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I thought it was aeb-l?
 
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