Question on N690

D

dialex

Joined
Oct 8, 2002
Messages
2,423
Hello everybody.
I found some specs about this N690 steel and it seems quite interesting to me. I was wondering how it performs compared to other steels (like ATS-55, VG-10 or S30V).
Also speaking of the cobalt content, is it comparable with Stellite (3K)?
Thanks a lot.
 
N690 is manufactured by Bohler (Bohler Uddeholm in Australia). Hard to get anywhere but Europe and sometimes in Australia. The specs, according to my source - 1.05% Carbon, 17% Chrome, 1.1% Molybdenum, 0.1% Vanadium, 1.5% Cobalt.

Stellite has a HECK of a lot more cobalt in it than that, but little of anything else, since it is not a ferrous alloy.

I have seen it compared to a number of different things over the years. Initially, people were comapring it to 440B and 440C. Doesn't sound right. From its chemistry, it looks more comparable to VG10, or BG42 with Cobalt in it. That should make it quite a good cutlery steel, in technical terms. Thats all I can say - never used a knife with it. The new extrema Ratio knives use this steel - worthwhile asking for feedback on those ?

Cheers. Jason.
 
Benchmade uses N690 for most of their "Red Class" knives...
 
Jason Cutter said:
N690 is manufactured by Bohler (Bohler Uddeholm in Australia). Hard to get anywhere but Europe and sometimes in Australia.
Click to expand...

IT´s AUSTRIA, not AUSTRALIA. :mad: No Kangaroos in Austria. We have the sound of Music, no dingos. We have Mozart, Leather pants and finest beer. No sand, no sharks, no Foster´s.
Ah, Yes. And we have GLOCKS, AUGs and other fine weaponry.
 
Sorry, I meant that in Australia the company is called Bohler-Uddeholm and N690 is available and although it is not very popular as yet, some knifemakers have started using it.

Edited to add - Our Armed Forces issue the AUG... my favourite pistol is the Glock 19... ;) So maybe there is a connection. :D Jason.
 
Sure there is. My service Pistol is a G 17 and we are issued the AUG 9mm Mpi lus the AUG Police in .223. Fine guns, that work in harshest environments.

Boehler is an AUSTRIAN, not Australian Company, which is now associated with Uddeholm (sweden?) (small countries have to boast with what the have):cool:
 
Revierler said:
IT´s AUSTRIA, not AUSTRALIA. :mad: No Kangaroos in Austria. We have the sound of Music, no dingos. We have Mozart, Leather pants and finest beer. No sand, no sharks, no Foster´s.
Ah, Yes. And we have GLOCKS, AUGs and other fine weaponry.
Click to expand...

...And don't forget "I'll be back" Arnold.:D.
 
Revierler said:
IT´s AUSTRIA, not AUSTRALIA. :mad: No Kangaroos in Austria. We have the sound of Music, no dingos. We have Mozart, Leather pants and finest beer. No sand, no sharks, no Foster´s.
Ah, Yes. And we have GLOCKS, AUGs and other fine weaponry.
Click to expand...

"Leather pants"?
Care to elaborate on that one? :eek:
 
Traditional clothing in Tirol (that's a province in Austria) include a particular type of leather pants. Short, vivid coloured and with shoulder straps.
Austria is a very nice place BTW. The kind I'd like to live and die there. Of course, as late as possible ;)
 
Boehler is an AUSTRIAN, not Australian Company, which is now associated with Uddeholm (sweden?) (small countries have to boast with what the have)

I don't think Jason was saying B/U was not an Austrian Company but thats its subsidiary Boehler/Uddeholm Australia stocks N690 - actually the Australian Company Boehler merged with ASSAB which was the Swedish subsidiary so we really only have one Australian steel supplier of any note left in Oz despite us being a large steel producer. N690 is sold here as an equivalent of 440c although I think it is a better steel. When I was knifemaking I used it for a while in lieu of 440c and was quite pleased with the results.
 
The below website chart shows that n690 is as close to vg-10 as one could probably get without actually trying.


http://www.extremaratio.com/ing/tabella_acciaio.php

As vg-10 is one of my favorite steels due to it's taking a great edge, keeping it and easily resharpened, I like it.

I have had a few Extrema Ratio folders. My well driller [ roughneck that he is ] beat the crap out of that knife daily for 6 months before he lost it somewhere. He is known to kill knives on a monthly basis. I can't keep him in good enough cutlery usually. His comment on the steel used [ n690 ] and the knifes fit and finish overall was that he was very impressed how the knife held it's edge and how it held up to the real extreme abuses he was putting it through daily without breaking it.

Robin Brown
 
How is the new steel holding up? I bought a Rant Bowie for FIL and it was 440c. Real nice little knife,excellent out of box sharpness. He likes it alot. Needs a better sheath however.
 
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