Any experience with 70x16MFS?

[damib]

Hello,
does anyone have any experience with knives made of 70x16MFS steel?
It is steel used by Mellita-K brand. From what I've found out it's composed of 0,7 % carbon and about 16 % chromium. I also learned that it could be steel invented in SSSR. I think that it could be very good steel if heat treated well.

 

[gazz98]

Never heard of it. I had to google it. Looks like patented in Russia is 2011 or so. I checked out the site, the HRC seems a little low my liking at 52-56.

Hopefully one of our European or Asian friends will have some better info on that steel.

 

[damib]

Never heard of it. I had to google it. Looks like patented in Russia is 2011 or so. I checked out the site, the HRC seems a little low my liking at 52-56.

Hopefully one of our European or Asian friends will have some better info on that steel.

Thanks for googling the year or patent. Where did you find the site? Shops in my country declare that HRC is between something like 58-62.

Edit 1: So far I have found what seems to be official site of Melita-K.

Melita-K. Knives for life

Melita-K. Knives for life

www.melita-k.com

It seems that 70x16MFS steel is specially made for high ductility and high wear resistance. It also seems that it's alloyed with Mo, V and Si. Based on this knowledge, I would say that it's basically stainless steel alternative to carbon steels like 1095 or 1075. I will try to find some reviews.

Edit 2: I have found one customer in-depth review of military knife from Melita-K. It was knife with quite exotic shape and BoLi edge. Author of review really liked that knife and it was comparable to some high end western military knives. Apparently it's handmade. Only disappointment is sheath.

 

[Larrin]

Even without knowing what else could be in it, 0.7% carbon and 16% Cr is not a great start. That puts it in a similar category to several steels that are not considered especially great such as 440A or 7Cr17 because of the combination of coarse microstructure and low potential hardness.

 

[damib]

Even without knowing what else could be in it, 0.7% carbon and 16% Cr is not a great start. That puts it in a similar category to several steels that are not considered especially great such as 440A or 7Cr17 because of the combination of coarse microstructure and low potential hardness.

That's right. Second thing is heat treat though. I have experience with Czechoslovakian knives made from "low end steels" and they certainly have way better characteristics than SAKs or other common knife brands. And they can be like 40 years old. I certainly agree that they are not made from the best steels you can get.