N690Co steel... Worth 100?

The Government

The Government

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Aug 21, 2009
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From the information I have gathered, N690Co steel is similar to 440C. Some people say that it may be slightly better.

My question is:

- Is a solid folder with a N690Co blade worth $100. Considering all of the other $100 options out there like S30V, 154CM, D2, and so on, is N690Co still a competitor? -assume all steels are treated to top performance levels as well.

Thanks for the help.
 
It is hard to say what a knife is worth without seeing the rest of it. Quality and value go beyound the steel of the blade.

What knife are you asking about?
 
I am split between the Ontario XM folder, the Spyderco G-10 endura, and the benchmade 710.

I own a folder from each brand, but I have never owned N960Co steel before.

Thanks
 
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If you're interested in trying N690C, which I consider an excellent steel, why not pick up a Benchmade Monocrom? That Ontario is a very heavy duty knife, almost graceless compared to the Endura and 710.
 
Esav Benyamin said:
That Ontario is a very heavy duty knife, almost graceless compared to the Endura and 710.
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True, the Ontario is overbuilt while the others are more balanced or graceful. I just dont know a lot about N690Co steel.

I don’t really need help deciding between the differing styles, I was only wondering if this particular steel was comparable in performance and price.

The monochrome does not interest me as much, even though it has the same steel. There are leatherman knives in 154CM that are under $30 while benchmades in 154CMM go over 60 -many people consider benchmade's 154CM to be worth $60+.

I dont know of many knives that cost $100 in 440C, and since people compare N690Co to 440C, I am not sure if it is really worth $100.

Thanks
 
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Try the Ontario/Hossom Retribution models. They are discontinued but can still be had for $130-$150.

This is the smaller one.
l_1522cfe5e10341ef8086160c570a9b9e.jpg
 
Ontario also made an assisted opener. I really want that one, but I have been told by online dealers that they have been waiting to resupply for years.

It was called the X-RAY or something.

I was just really impressed with my RAT 1, and if they make their other folders like the RAT 1, they cant be bad.
 
The Government said:
The monochrome does not interest me as much, even though it has the same steel. There are leatherman knives in 154CM that are under $30 while benchmades in 154CMM go over 60 -many people consider benchmade's 154CM to be worth $60+.

I dont know of many knives that cost $100 in 440C, and since people compare N690Co to 440C, I am not sure if it is really worth $100.

Thanks
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You can use that thinking with other steels, too, so I'm not sure there's as clear cut an answer as you're asking.

Spyderco makes some knives in VG-10 that have a street price of $50 or so & they have knives in that same steel go for 2-3Xs that.

IIRC, N690C is an European steel that's comparable to 440C, however, people I know that have used it, say it's better. Spyderco's Hossum line of FBs use it & they're supposed to be pretty good knives. While the Ontario XM-18's with N690C are a little too big for my tastes, I've read & heard that they're pretty tough knives.

Only you can judge whether a knife's worth $100 to you, but FWIW, I'd take a $100 knife with N690C over a $100 knife with AUS-8.

If you like the knife, get it. You could do worse, steelwise.
 
The Government, I think you misunderstand a couple of key points here.

First of all, the steel is only one element of a knife's price, not necessarily a major element, at that. Only really exotic steels jack up the price noticeably, sometimes because they are only available in one country.

Also, knife companies don't always make all their own knives. In fact, few do. Ontario farms out the RAT-1 to a Taiwan contractor. It has nothing to do with Ontario knives made elsewhere. The XM models are probably made in Italy, like the Retributions.
 
Out of the three you mentioned I would go with the 710 or Endura
But I also have no experience with N690Co
 
Charlie Mike said:
Try the Ontario/Hossom Retribution models. They are discontinued but can still be had for $130-$150.
Click to expand...

CL01 said:
IIRC, N690C is an European steel that's comparable to 440C, however, people I know that have used it, say it's better. Spyderco's Hossum line of FBs use it & they're supposed to be pretty good knives.
Click to expand...

Jerry Hossom designed a line of fixed blades for Spyderco and the Retribution folders for Ontario. All of them are made with N690Co, an Austrian steel, by Fox, an Italian manufacturer.
 
The Government said:
Thanks for the pic. I have been interested in the XM folders for a while. That is a nicn though. Pocket clip?
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No clip, but comes with a sheath. I plan on buying the larger one and have it rehandled in thinner G10 with L/R tip up carry holes. Then I'll wave it :D
 
my info on this alloy is that it has 1% cobalt.i'm nmot a tech whiz & i'm sure by the end of day ,other forum members will fill us in.i do know that the chinese 9cr13 which i have in a benchmade is excellent.seems to make the alloy tougher.the metallurights will probably will explain the significance of cobalt & also alloy info today. i'm really curiours myself.is it a swedish for.?
 
When I tested N690 in edge retention, it outperformed 440C and was similar in performance to 154CM and VG10. I consider N690 to be one of my favorites and would love to see it in more knives. N690 is made by Bohler and is only made in Germany, but gets shipped around the world.

As others have stated, the cost of the knife is more than the alloy used. It is the fit and finish. If I were considering a $100 knife and the alloy were N690, it would not give me pause.
 
My edc is TOPS CQT Thunder Hawke in N690Co. It's made by Fox of Italy and fit and finish couldn't be better !! I got it to try out that steel and I'm very happy with it . It's closer to 154CM [better than 440C].Easy to sharpen , takes a fine edge, holds edge well. Light weight frame lock with the lock side of titanium and the other side of G10 .I paid $ 175 but then found a dealer's price of $ 125 !
 
I have been abusing a Extrema Ratio FB for a couple of years now and it's made of N690Co. Been a excellent knife so far. Holds a great edge and when it does get a little lazy cutting, sharpens up fairly easy. I had a Spyderco Hossom Forester when they came out, No issues with it either.
 
CL01 said:
You can use that thinking with other steels, too, so I'm not sure there's as clear cut an answer as you're asking.

Spyderco makes some knives in VG-10 that have a street price of $50 or so & they have knives in that same steel go for 2-3Xs that.

IIRC, N690C is an European steel that's comparable to 440C, however, people I know that have used it, say it's better. Spyderco's Hossum line of FBs use it & they're supposed to be pretty good knives. While the Ontario XM-18's with N690C are a little too big for my tastes, I've read & heard that they're pretty tough knives.

Only you can judge whether a knife's worth $100 to you, but FWIW, I'd take a $100 knife with N690C over a $100 knife with AUS-8.

If you like the knife, get it. You could do worse, steelwise.
Click to expand...



I've had a couple knives in this steel and it has performed very well. It does have cobalt added in its formulation and I think that is where it differs most from 440C. Remember though, in the 70's the 440C steel was a top line premium steel. It is still a very good steel with excellent qualities. I would say that a lot of folks would not be able to tell the difference between 440C and S30V, if they are not using the knife hard, I know that applies to me. Of course the worth of any blade steel lies in the heat treat.:)
 
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