How does N690 steel stack up?

M

morgoth

Joined
Mar 26, 2006
Messages
94
Anyone have much experience with N690 Steel?
I recently purchased a Benchmade Fecas and although it was advertised as 440C steel it arrived with a N690 stamp on it.
I have heard its as good or better than 440C, has anyone used it?

Thanks.

MM
 
I have a TOPS Thunder Hawke frame lock that uses it, and I like it alot. Way better than 440c imho as it holds an edge longer. Takes a super fine edge too, no burring, or wire edge after sharpening. What I call a good hard sharp edge. No chipping either. Anyways that is my opinion of it. keepem sharp
 
From Knarfeng in this thread: http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=610794


N690 is made by Bohler in Austria. It is essentially 440C with minute additions of cobalt and vanadium.

Those minute additions greatly enhance the performance. IMO it ranks about even with VG10 and 154CM in terms of edge retention and ability to take a very keen edge.

Hope it helps.

dantzk.
 
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I agree with all above. N690 steel takes a fantastic edge and holds it well.

Definitely one of my favorite steels. :thumbup:
 
Hi, I have some extrema ratio with this steel and it is a very good steel, resistant to corrosion and keep a good edge. I have a Fox with this steel but I think that the thermic treatment wasn't good because the edge quality is far from Extrema Ratio. Like other steel if it have good thermic treatment it must be a good steel but if this treatment are approximative the blade is ordinary.
 
It seems to be a pretty tough steel, doing pretty well in the Foragers, and Retributions. It's a clean steel near 440C , but with that 1% cobalt. It does ok wear resistance wise, near VG10 levels, but maybe a bit better suited for larger, heavier duty blades.

It sharpens ok too, better than 440C IMO Burr wise. Joe
 
Thanks for the feedback Mates.
I will give this knife a run when I go Bush over the Australia day weekend.

10510p.jpg
 
I like the N690 in my Spyderco Volpe---and it appears to do just fine in the Hossum line, as attested by my fellow forumites above.

:thumbup:
 
My old Benchmade Monochrome had n690 in it and I thought that it performed very well to be honest. When I bought my BM 530 in 154CM, I never noticed any difference as far as edge holding or toughness. That being said, BM is very good at their 154CM heat treat so that is another good statement for how impressed I was with N690.
 
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