Educate me on N690co steel

D

David.Car

Joined
Jan 4, 2019
Messages
5
Hi All

Anyone used N690co? and how does it compare to steels like cpm154?
Is it any good for mid size survival knife +- 7 inch blade?
 
It’s a solid choice for nearly any application, and falls right in that 154cm / VG-10 range of wear and impact resistance and with good corrosion resistance. It can take a fairly fine edge, as well. Just a good all-around option.
 
I've only used it in smaller knives, so not sure about how it would handle what some people refer to as a "survival knife" aka sharpened prybar. But as a general utility steel in most circumstances, I think it would do just fine. As Comeuppance said, mid-range, its a good steel in relation to its pricepoint I think.
 
Most similar to VG10. If what you see from VG10 is any indication, folks get the HT right or they get it wrong.
 
I have my Spyderco Squeak in it. I like it, but have to admit, I haven't used it too hard yet.
 
Comeuppance said:
It’s a solid choice for nearly any application, and falls right in that 154cm / VG-10 range of wear and impact resistance and with good corrosion resistance. It can take a fairly fine edge, as well. Just a good all-around option.
Click to expand...

Sums up my feelings on N690 well. One of the best balanced steels before you go into powdered metals.
 
Comeuppance said:
It’s a solid choice for nearly any application, and falls right in that 154cm / VG-10 range of wear and impact resistance and with good corrosion resistance. It can take a fairly fine edge, as well. Just a good all-around option.
Click to expand...

I agree with this assessment.
 
There's a search function on the forum with lots of older threads on the subject that will be very informative on the subject.
 
Imagine N690 as if VG-10 and 440C had a baby, but it grew up to succeed them both. Good toughness, decent edge retention, good carbide layout. All around one of the best performing non PM steels.
 
So to give you an idea, I have a spyderco Pingo that I EDC at work. Yesterday after posting, I had to break down a large box (that never happens to me, never my job, but whatever, sometime its actually what you need the knife for) so as I cut the corners of the box, I nailed several heavy steel staples. I mauled my way through it, stripped the edge nearly fully (maybe my LT W in 3V might have fared better, but I doubt S30V would have) took about 10 minutes to put the edge back on with a simple 800 grit ceramic stone and a CroX strop. Not a perfect edge, but back to shaving arm hair. so yeah, its pretty good.
 
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