Thoughts on Bohler N680

S

Squashfan

Joined
Jun 6, 2012
Messages
1,670
What do you people think of N680 as a blade steel? I like a couple of the models with this steel but have been scared to buy them for fear of the steel. Silly reason not buy a knife, I know.
 
If what you want is corrosion resistance then it is fine. It should be able to take a fine acute edge from the available reading material IMO. Nothing really to fear.

BOHLER N680
A conventional corrosion resistant steel with added chromium, molybdenum, and nitrogen for corrosion and pitting resistance, especially in salt water. Fine structure with a very good sharpness, edge retention, and grindability. Will accept a fine polish. Hardens and tempers to 56-58 HRC

pdf:

http://www.bucorp.com/files/bohler_n680.pdf

N680 is a steel with extreme corrosion resistance. The nitrogen in the steel helps resist pitting from salt water and sweat. It is not as corrosion resistant as H1 in salt water spray tests, but it is far superior to 440C. It has two big advantages over H1: it is affordable and it is available. (http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/753098-Bohler-Uddeholm-Blade-Steels)

However, what properties are you looking for?
 
To clarify, I have heard some people say the n680 is soft compared to other steels. I have been worried that N680 is extremely soft and will not hold an edge. Softer than say 14C28N or 420HC.
 
Squashfan said:
To clarify, I have heard some people say the n680 is soft compared to other steels. I have been worried that N680 is extremely soft and will not hold an edge. Softer than say 14C28N or 420HC.
Click to expand...

Well....that depends a bit.

BM hardens their N680 to between 57-60HRC. Depending on the model.

Now, lets say you compare it to 14C28N. This can be run from 55HRC up to 62HRC. Depending on who is working with it, what type of heat treat cycle.

Here are two different cycles.

http://www.smt.sandvik.com/en/produ...ning-programs/sandvik-14c28n-piece-hardening/
http://www.smt.sandvik.com/en/produ...14c28n-piece-hardening-deep-freezing-70c-95f/

Direct comparison between these two alone can be difficult. If you have any references where people are not happy with N680 please link me to it as I cant find it.

As far as I know, the only person that has done some wear resistant testing is Ankerson and it performs well IMO.

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...based-on-Edge-Retention-cutting-5-8-quot-rope
 
I haven't tried N680, but I have tried N690 (found it to perform like VG-10) and really liked it, good edge holding, very easy to sharpen, etc. from what I've read about N680 it's a slight step down in edge retention from N690 but you gain more corrosion resistance, of the three diving knife type steels (H1, X15tn, and N680) it has the best edge holding, I would expect 14c28n type edge holding, probably a step up from 420HC (about where I would put H1).
 
Squashfan said:
This is the only specific complaint I have seen. http://zknives.com/knives/steels/steelgraph.php?nm=N680&ni=1125&hrn=1&gm=0 This person says that 58HRC is a low hardness. I guess I just assumed it was a soft steel like H1.

The two knives I am looking at are in the H&K line. First is the Soldat. BM says the blade on it runs 57-59HRC. Well, BM lists it as being both 57-59 and 57-58.

And, second, the Scorch. This one is listed as a hardness of 57-59 as well.


Thanks for the help.
Click to expand...

HRC of 58 is not high hardness compared to steels such as S90V, RWL-34, CPM-M4 etc. However, you have to keep in mind that steel properties change as you heat treat.

At a certain hardness one has more corrosion resistance then edge retention. One can go all the way and chase edge retention, but then you sacrifice corrosion resistance or toughness. It is all about finding the balance.

I think N680 will be easy to sharpen, will role rather then chip and provide good corrosion resistance. Think of something similar to what you get in a Swiss Army Knife
 
Last edited:
In my opinion from looking at the spec's and using N680 it's a fine tuned 425M Stainless. The molybdenum isn't variable and is right on 1.10%.The chromium has been jacked to the 17% range. Carbon on N680 is 0.54%...425M ranges from 0.40-0.54%.It sharpens up good like a 420 Series steel and brings back a fine edge.It's a better steel to use on a wider range of materials and I'd put it above Sandvik's for the contribution of molybdenum but it's definitely not super steel caliber.
 
I have an auto triage and I don't like the n680 it won't hold an edge to save my life. It chips really easy. The only advantage is it easy to sharpen and polishes really nicely. I wish it was cpm154 or something along those lines.
 
my triage with n680, ive literally left it in the snow overnight and not dried it off and it didnt rust. did a acid stonewash on it also and it took twice as long to for the acid to darken, and when i tried to stonewash it, i couldent get it to make the marks like other steels. must be an extremely hard steel. just thought id share my experience with n680
 
N680 is one the most corrosion resisting knives steels available on the market.

It is also a very good cutting steel :
  • It can reach 58 HRC easily
  • It is alloyed with 0,2% nitrogen, giving it a very fine microstructure
It price is something like 5 time higer than a standard knife steel. So that it has to be used in specific conditions where the corrosion resistance is needed. Else it could be replaced by Sandvik 14C28N that have similar cutting performances with a lower price.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top