Sandvik 14C28N

A

ak585479

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Jun 9, 2014
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Hi all,

I recently purchased a Kershaw Blur all black and the blade steel is Sandvik 14C28N with DLC coating. I was wondering if anyone could give me more info on this steel and what quality it is compared to 8Cr13MoV or whatever the usual Kershaw steel is. Also how does it compare to other steels? Strengths and weaknesses? And what does a DLC coating mean and do? Sorry for the newbie questions but that's how I learn and I did search the forums for these topics and found a bit but not really as much as info as I'd like.

Thanks all,
Aaron
 
Google the terms. DLC - diamond like coating. The addition of nitrogen seems to impart an increase in corrosion resistance. I'd guess it is superior in that respect to most stainless steels.
 
14c28n is a very good all around steel. Some of the standout traits would be very fine, clean carbide structure so it will take and incredibly fine edge and sharpens easy. Wear resistance is good. Not great, but good. When considering the ease of sharpening, the wear resistance is much better than good. In comparison to 8cr13/14 it is every bit as easy to sharpen (probably even easier, doesnt burr as bad) and will hold its edge a fair amount longer with less chance of chipping. Seems to be very stain resistant. More so than 8cr. Ive been super happy with it. Personally i like it actually a bit more than 154cm and 8cr, but not quite as much as VG10. Thats pretty good company esp. considering price. I like it a lot more than Aus8, but i also seem to like 8cr more than aus8 so thats a given. Thats all my experience and ppinions but hey, you know what they say about those! :D Enjoy your Blur
 
Honestly, I would call Kershaw's Sandvik steel to be similar to 440C in edge retention, but sharpens up with the ease of AUS-8. Great stuff.

As for DLC, it is a very hard coating added to the steel, but I have read that it adds zero corrosion resistance, and show the surface has be prepared, so the corrosion resistance may actually be worse than a satin finish. I believe the DLC had a lower friction coefficient than bare steel, so it will aid in cutting ability.
 
It's razor steel so it's able to take an extremely fine edge. The edge holding is pretty decent and it sharpens very easily. It will benefit more from a polished edge than a toothy edge. It's not the most rust resistant steel in the world, but it does pretty well as long as you don't leave it sumberged. It's overall a pretty good steel. It's sister steel (i guess thats the right term?) 13c26n is pretty popular in the kitchen world under the name AEB-L for the same reasons but it's a little softer so it wont chip if (when) you hit a bone or something.
 
I personally love 14C28N. As others have said, ease of sharpening and keen edge holding are its standout traits. You'll have to sharpen more often than the supersteels available, but it'll take much less time to achieve a razor edge. It takes well to stropping, also.
 
I've been cutting lots of cardboard, some packaging tape, heavily layered electrical tape, plastic zip ties, and some hard composite 3D printed material just for work EDC and the edge is still RAZOR sharp. Hasn't lost anything off the factory edge which was/is scary sharp. Loving this steel so far.
 
Only knife I've had in 14C28N was a Kershaw OD-1. I really enjoyed the steel. As others have said, it takes a very fine edge and is easy to keep that way.

Andrew
 
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