High End Watch steels: why not used for knives?

Locutus D'Borg

Locutus D'Borg

Platinum Member
Joined
Dec 1, 2012
Messages
5,195
Why do knife makers not use high end watch steels for knives? The newer Rolexes use 904L and some watches use a steel called Super Duplex. They are very corrosion resistant (can't have a watch rusting on your wrist) and 904L is resistant to scratching.

904L is apparently hard to machine, but it obviously can be machined, and would do well in water environments (the Submariner is made from it). Its characteristics seem to me - an amateur - to be similar to stellite 6K, which I wish were used more often.

Sorry if this has been addressed previously. Mr. Ankerson, you probably know this off the top of your head. Anyway, just curious.
 
I don't think that 904L is a hardenable stainless steel. Most of those are in the 400 series. I don't know if you can purchase 904L. I think it's exclusive to Rolex. Stellite is not a steel but rather an alloy that is about 1/2 Chrome and 1/2 Cobalt. The 6K version of Stellite Rockwells in the mid forties, but you can't scratch it with a file. Take a file to your Rolex to see if it passes that test.
 
904L - This alloy does not respond to heat treatment.. It may only be hardened by cold reduction. ROCKWELL HARDNESS B79.

Duplex stainless steel cannot be hardened by heat treatment. They can however be work hardened.

Solution treatment or annealing can be done by rapid cooling after heating to around 1100°C.
 
904L is very corrosion and stain resistant but it is not tough at all. I wear a Rolex Milgauss everyday and I can tell you from experience, it scratches like crazy. But, I have taken it everywhere in every environment and it has shown no rusting it pitting.
 
904 is a lot like 316 except there is a truckload of nickel in there, with few % extra Cr and a bit more Moly
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top