Happy with Sandvik 14c28n steel, I think

B

BruceMack

Joined
May 20, 2015
Messages
106
In my short time as a knife-obsessed person, I have bought Ontario Rats 1 and 2 (D2), a Ruike p801 and Kershaw Leek (both Sandvik), Steel Will Modus (D2), and a PM 2 with S30v blade. I haven't yet fully sharpened the PM 2, but of the others I like the Ruike and the Leek for their sharpness. Yesterday I realized I had become a metal snob living a fantasy of cutting through vines and acres of cardboard when in reality I slice paper and the occasional box from Amazon. Today I ordered another Ruike with a 14c28n blade, happy with this choice. Any others with a similar approach?
 
I received a Mora Garberg that had a few dings in the blade. With in 15 minutes the blade was back up and running and razor sharp. 14c28n is a great steel for the outdoors.
 
I have a few knives that have 14c28n( Kershaw Blur, knockout, Whirlwind, Ruike p108), and I gotta say it's easily one of my favorite steels. I use my knives a good bit at work cutting up cardboard, cutting zipties, packing tape, plastic etc. I find that 14c28n holds a good working edge and takes a fine, sharp edge with little time using my 600 grit rods. If i take it up to the ultra fine rods on my sharpmaker, wow it is crazy sharp. Now, it won't hold an edge as long as the s110v on my LW manix 2, but the edge retention is quite good considering I use my knives quite a good bit at work.
 
14c28 is my favorite by far. Easy to sharpen and holds an edge well enough. Add to that the fact that it’s on the cheaper side and you’ve got a winner!
 
Like many here, I am a steel snob and have knives with all kinds of the current super steels. But I have to admit that the knife I use the most is an Opinel, with 12C27Mod. Unless you are cutting miles of cardboard, a simpler alloy often works better. It is usually tougher and can be ground thinner, making the knife a better cutter. With a decent heat treat, something like 14C28N will make it through a typical day of use without any trouble.
 
Sandvik is a good steel. I own a few knives with it. I think is holds an edge pretty good. Sharpens up nice. From what Ive read it has a fine grain structure that allows it to take a very fine edge when sharpening.
 
From what I understand, 14C28N was developed for knives. With the Nitrogen content, I don't experience the staining or spotting like I've seen with other steels. But, that's just me. I like that it holds a decent edge and that you can get it stupidly sharp fairly easy as compared to some other popular steels. That's why I keep my Kershaw's around ;)
 
I have a few knives with 14C28N blades, including two Ruikes, and I like it a great deal. The thing I like the most about it as reported, it will easily take a razor sharp, fine edge. I grew up in the 60s with CASE knives hardened to the mid 50s Rockwell, so I am used to hitting my current carry with a few swipes on the rods as needed. Great utility steel, makes a great work knife.

Robert
 
Sandvik 14C is my favorite budget steel. I own a couple of knives in 14C and highly recommend it.
 
BruceMack said:
In my short time as a knife-obsessed person, I have bought Ontario Rats 1 and 2 (D2), a Ruike p801 and Kershaw Leek (both Sandvik), Steel Will Modus (D2), and a PM 2 with S30v blade. I haven't yet fully sharpened the PM 2, but of the others I like the Ruike and the Leek for their sharpness. Yesterday I realized I had become a metal snob living a fantasy of cutting through vines and acres of cardboard when in reality I slice paper and the occasional box from Amazon. Today I ordered another Ruike with a 14c28n blade, happy with this choice. Any others with a similar approach?
Click to expand...

It's a fine steel. I wouldn't be upset at all if I were forced to carry and use it daily. It takes a very keen edge and does so with little effort in little time.
 
I'm pretty picky with steels, but most Sandvik steels I'm hard pressed to find a complaint about. 14c28n is pretty much the king of budget steels, it holds an edge near equal to VG-10 but is cheaper and easier to work with. It's almost as refined as a PM steel, and is actually used as a razor steel (so I've heard), so it must have very uniform carbides and refined grain size. Whatever they do with it, I've not had another steel other than ZDP-189 take as keen of an edge, but also keep that super keen edge longer than you would expect. My only complaint about 14c28n is basically asking the world for a nickel, I'd like it to have a little higher edge retention, but that's just because I'm getting used to super steels.
 
I have always loved the Sandvick steels. Both 14c28N and 12c27 seem to take a screaming edge very easily. I think they are some of the best steel to learn to sharpen on because you can get good results quite fast without a 5 hour sharpening session. I think this due to its ultra find grain structure.

Aus8 is another good steel I wish so many companies would stop moving away from it.
 
14c28n is an great steel for a normal day edc. First choice for cardboard all day? No. First choice for breaking down a brush pile? No. First choice for cutting meat, whittling, opening mail and zip ties? It’s up there....
 
  • Like
Reactions: vba
One of the best, mid-level steels around.

Takes a great edge.

Easy to bring back.

Very stain-resistant in my experience.

Good to see that more companies are using it.
 
I went to the very top of edge retention steels, but came to a realization. It is SO much better to have a well rounded steel than a steel that excels at just one, maybe two things. It is better that have a steel with a good ease of sharpening vs edge retention ratio, and then added toughness is a big plus.
I have become a huge fan of 14C28N. When done right, like Ruike and Real Steel HT is, it reminds me of properly HT'd AEB L. It is SO easy to sharpen and gets razor sharp with ease, it also holds a good edge. Good corrosion resistance. I have some fixed blades from Ruike and Real Steel made with 14C28N, and it has very good toughness! Great all around steel!
 
ATJ999 said:
I went to the very top of edge retention steels, but came to a realization. It is SO much better to have a well rounded steel than a steel that excels at just one, maybe two things. It is better that have a steel with a good ease of sharpening vs edge retention ratio, and then added toughness is a big plus.
I have become a huge fan of 14C28N. When done right, like Ruike and Real Steel HT is, it reminds me of properly HT'd AEB L. It is SO easy to sharpen and gets razor sharp with ease, it also holds a good edge. Good corrosion resistance. I have some fixed blades from Ruike and Real Steel made with 14C28N, and it has very good toughness! Great all around steel!
Click to expand...

Aeb-l, 12c27 and 14c28n are all quite close in composition.

wm27zBK.png
 
  • Like
Reactions: vba
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top