Question for knifemakers+steel guys--M390 vs Carbon Steel?

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Oct 9, 2009
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I don't start threads often, but had a question regarding steels that I was hoping some of the seasoned knifemakers of the forum could shed some light on. I've begun familiarizing myself with the benefits of Bohler M390 steel, and it seems like it would be great for use as a straight razor steel due to its great edge-holding and corrosion-resistant properties. However, many of the custom straight razor makers are using high carbon steels instead, which as far as I can tell, have a lower carbon content than M390 (~1% compared to ~1.9%). Will M390 hold a better edge than high carbon steels? If so, is there a reason makers are still using high carbon steels for custom straights? Any useful information regarding the topic will be appreciated; thank you for your time!
 
The more carbon, chromium and vanadium content often lead to more wear resistance but less toughness.

Plain carbon steel like 1095 won't hold candle against modern stainless steel like M390 in cardboard cutting, but M390 would never be able to be used in chopper due to it brittleness. High alloy powdered steel never mean to be greater as knives blade.

I remember the time people here are so exited about REX121 steel, here is some real world test by Jake Hoback http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HCHzN68Bopw
 
I found this quote:

When considering razors, simple carbon steels have the best properties out of all. They can reach high hardness, but can be sharpened easily, and take a very refined edge, and hold it for a long time. No surprise every custom maker is using mainly O1, 1084, 1095, W1-2, and other low allow high carbon steels. Easy to hone, easy to strop, good hardness, good edge, easy to HT and grind, simple yet perfect.
 
M390 is awsome but good ol 1095 is one of my fav non stainless steels comes down to HT alot of times
 
I think you guys missed the part where he said he is asking about straight razors. minus the one informative response.

My uninformed guess would be ease of sharpening to that razor fine edge is more important than pure edge holding. plus ease of manufacture and heat treat, cost, and availability.
 
Thank you everyone for the answers. I hadn't considered that M390 might be difficult to hone. If there's anyone else who wants to add their input, specifically to the ease of touching up M390, by all means, I'd appreciate it. Thanks a lot to those of you who took the time to give me some information!
 
I can't imagine using any alloy containing carbides for a razor blade.

Think of carbide containing alloys as concrete. They got chunkies in them. Hard to keep and maintain an absolutely smooth edge surface. As the edge surface is worn, the hard chunks of carbide are exposed. Ouch on the face at that point.

Much better to use alloys with no carbides. Personally, if I wanted a stainless alloy for a razor blade, I'd do exactly what the commercial razor blade folks do. They use 13C26 or its equivalent and run it hard. Stainless, no carbides to roughen the edge, and capable of being hardened to ~60HRC or maybe a tad harder.
 
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