14c28n?

Only company that uses that is Kershaw, and they're far from junk. The steel has been referred to as the poor mans S30V. But IMHO I prefer 14C28N over S30V. S30V will lose it's hair whittling edge fairly quickly and will keep a good working edge for a decent amount of time. 14C28N will keep its hair whittling edge longer than S30V, but it won't keep a working edge as long as S30V. I also find 14C28N is easier to sharpen.
 
I've found it to be plenty good for my EDC uses. Takes a great edge and retains it decently. Easy to sharpen and maintain. Good toughness (haven't had any chipping issues, even cutting zip ties and occasionally some smaller gauge copper wire with a thin blade like the Skyline), and good corrosion resistance (no rust after riding in my sweaty pocket during our hot and humid summers).
 
14c28n is a good steel. It holds a good edge, takes an edge easily, and takes a fine edge.
It's pretty wear/corrosion resistant as well, though I have seen some issues with the bead blast blades in this steel getting rust.
My Kershaw Knockout with the stonewashed blade has a beautiful edge on it, shaves hair with the best of them, and is pretty wear/corrosion resistant.
Also, when the edge starts getting dull I know I can bring it back to razor sharp super easy. =]

I love the nice high end steels, but have never had any issues or complaints with 14c28n.
 
Sharpens very easily in my experiences
Gets very sharp
Ok on edge retention, at least for razor sharpness
 
If you put it at 30 degrees inclusive like I did my Ener-G2 you can easily get a hair whittling edge that will last for a good amount of time. I'd give the steel an 8 out of 10 for its overall performance. To put that in perspective, zdp-189 is a 10, S30V is a 7, and S35vn is a 9
 
It was modified from 13C which is a razor blade steel. It was given more corrosion resistance while, IMO, keeping the nice crisp edges and ease of sharpening. Good stuff!

Joe
 
My 14c28n experiences have been good, probably in the same neighborhood as 154cm, performance-wise.

spyderco lover said:
S30V is a 7, and S35vn is a 9
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Really? I have yet to see S35vn significantly outperform S30V in anyone's testing, at least not where the testing seemed legit.
 
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Its one of my favorite "stainless" steels. Not as abrasion resistant as some of the "super-steels", but easy to sharpen and takes a very nice edge.
It's like the 1095 of stainless - not the latest and greatest, but a damn good steel. YMMV
 
Good budget steel. On par with other alphabet steels.
I have had to sharpen out a couple of chipped edges but overall it performs as one would expect it too.
 
evilgreg said:
My 14c28n experiences have been good, probably in the same neighborhood as 154cm, performance-wise.



Really? I have yet to see S35vn significantly outperform S30V in anyone's testing, at least not where the testing seemed legit.
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I just prefer the edge that my Native 5 takes over my chapparral. It gets finer easier, has fantastic edge retention, and sharpens faster than S30V in my experience
 
The Southern Grind Bad Monkey uses this steel and it has gotten pretty decent reviews. Also, Kershaw had used it as a go to steel for quite some time, and they are obviously not having many complaints about it.
 
TotalDbag said:
Only company that uses that is Kershaw, and they're far from junk. The steel has been referred to as the poor mans S30V. But IMHO I prefer 14C28N over S30V. S30V will lose it's hair whittling edge fairly quickly and will keep a good working edge for a decent amount of time. 14C28N will keep its hair whittling edge longer than S30V, but it won't keep a working edge as long as S30V. I also find 14C28N is easier to sharpen.
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I agree with the last part. Easy to sharpen to a razor edge. Holds a razor edge longer than steel containing carbides.
 
As said it's based on 13C, but Kershaw tweaked it with a little Nitrogen and reportedly Molybenum for more corrosion resistance. I think it's set apart from other stainless steels because it's just so fine grained, it takes and holds a ridiuclously fine razor edge. I can see this being razor blade steel for sure.

Kershaw tends to know what they're doing with any steel though, so not sure if it's the recipe or the chef on this one. Either way I love my Needs Work... Talking about it being razor blade steel, the Needs Work really does have practically a razor-blade like tip and I've done some pretty tough work for such a delicate point, and it holds up just fine. Very nice stuff.
 
I've been using an OD-1 at work for years, takes and holds a great edge and no chipping through tywraps or even thin copper wire. Great edc steel and doesn't break the bank.
 
I really like it. Especially the Kershaws. Their 14c28n is a superb steel for the $ IMO. It gets incredibly sharp and holds the edge well, very easy to touch up. Been carrying and heavily using a Leek DLC for over a year now and have had zero rust probs. I also like the speedsafe for quick one hand uses.
 
I concur with most of whats been said here.

Bohler does a great job with their fine grained razor blade steels.

14C28N takes a fine edge easily and is quite tough.

A good compromise steel, balancing toughness, corrosion resistance, and ease of sharpening.

I'm very happy with my 14C28N folders.




spyderco lover said:
I'd give the steel an 8 out of 10 for its overall performance. To put that in perspective, zdp-189 is a 10, S30V is a 7, and S35vn is a 9
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S30V is a 7, and S35vn is a 9? :confused:

That might be true when it comes to ease of sharpening.


I would rate S30V ahead of S35VN when it comes to edge retention.






Big Mike
 
My 14c28n Kershaws are just as sharp and cut just as well as any "premium" steel that I own.
 
Good steel, but I'd prefer better corrosion resistance. Whether or not it has anything to do with Kershaw's beadblast finish, I can't say. I don't know of any knives that use that steel that aren't beadblasted.

I take that back, the Echelon isn't beadblasted.
 
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