440C steel and N690 steel used for outdoor cutting tools

The first list of top ten equipment was compiled in 1930 by The Mountaineers, an organization of mountaineers and outdoor explorers based in Seattle, with the aim of helping people prepare for emergencies outdoors.

Indeed, in a smooth journey, you may only use a few of them, or not use them at all.

However, when problems arise, you will truly appreciate the value of carrying these essential items for your survival.

Over the years, with the development of technology, this list has also undergone some evolution. Here is what it looks like today：Navigation equipment, lighting equipment, sun protection equipment, first aid equipment, knife equipment, fire source, shelter equipment, food, water, clothing equipment.

These devices can help you survive better outdoors, so the use of knives is greatly reflected when it comes to consuming the energy needed by the human body. A good knife can not only help you escape from dangerous environments, but also make it easy for you to separate food, clothing, and other items in harsh environments.

At present, most of the cutting tool materials used in the market include stainless steel, high carbon steel, ceramics, and titanium alloys.

Stainless steel is one of the commonly used materials in outdoor cutting tools, with the advantages of strong corrosion resistance, easy polishing and maintenance. The disadvantage is that the hardness is relatively low and it is easy to become dull. Suitable for routine outdoor activities and daily use.

High carbon steel is a material with relatively high hardness and wear resistance, suitable for making cutting edges. The disadvantage is that it is prone to rusting and requires regular maintenance. Suitable for outdoor activities that require cutting or the use of force.

The advantages of ceramic cutting tools are high hardness, low wear and tear, and extremely lightweight, suitable for long-term carrying. The disadvantage is that it is relatively fragile and not suitable for handling harder objects. Suitable for light outdoor activities and daily use.

Titanium alloy is a lightweight, high-strength, and corrosion-resistant material commonly used in the production of high-end outdoor cutting tools. The disadvantage is that the price is relatively high. Suitable for high-intensity outdoor activities and collections.

At present, the main materials for stainless steel outdoor cutting tools on the market are 440 series stainless steel and N690 stainless steel

So what are these two categories and what are their advantages?

440 series stainless steel

440 steel actually refers to a steel system composed of steel materials such as 440A, 440B, and 440C, but when it comes to making cutting tools, generally speaking, 440 steel refers to 440C.

440C stainless steel is a modern steel material known for its high corrosion resistance, wear resistance, strength, and hardness among all stainless steel alloys. After heat treatment, its hardness can reach up to HRC60. 440C has good resistance to corrosion from air, fresh water, and weak acids, and can create smooth polished surfaces and razor sharp edges during the cutting process. This type of steel can be used to make cutting tools, rolling bearings, valve seats, high-quality cutting tools, surgical instruments, chisels, ball bearings, and cutting tools for production, including hair clippers, surgical blades, daggers, and swords.

The grade of 440C is exactly the same as 440A and 440B, with the only difference being its slightly higher carbon content (the carbon content of the other two steels is 0.65% -0.75% and 0.75% -0.95%, respectively). Although a higher carbon content can result in higher hardness of the cutting tool, its corrosion resistance is slightly reduced. Although these three types of steel are standard steel grades of the same grade, in fact, 440C is more practical than A and B. And another alloy 440F (UNS S44020) has the same carbon content as 440C. From the current perspective, the use of 440C steel is very common and may rank second in the usage of stainless steel (only after ATS-34).

440C was undoubtedly the king of blade steel stainless steel around the 1980s, and this position was not replaced by ATS-34 until the 1990s. 440C is considered a widely used universal stainless steel, which is tougher and more stain resistant compared to ATS-34, but its retention and hardness are inferior. 440C is the earliest stainless steel accepted by blade makers and has always been popular, especially after the development of the sub zero processing process, which further enhances the toughness of the steel. When polishing, its disadvantage is that it has a high viscosity and heats up quickly; But it is easier to polish than any carbon steel and much easier to cut with a hand saw. Even novice blade makers can make good blades with 440C if they can do well in heat treatment and surface treatment; And if well maintained, the blades made of this material are excellent and durable.

N690 stainless steel

N690 is a martensitic chromium stainless steel improved by adding cobalt to 440C, which has better wear resistance and toughness.

N690 steel performs well in terms of hardness and wear resistance, with a hardness typically between 58-60 HRC, which means it has strong endurance and long life for cutting work. Due to the addition of cobalt element for improvement, the wear resistance and toughness of N690 steel have been significantly improved, making it very suitable for making tools and cutting tools that require high strength and wear resistance.

The corrosion resistance of N690 steel is also commendable. It contains a large amount of chromium element, which gives it excellent corrosion resistance and can resist corrosion in most acidic and alkaline environments. This feature gives N690 steel significant advantages in the production of diving knives, outdoor knives, dining knives, and other industrial applications that require corrosion resistance.

N690 steel also has good processing performance. It is easy to machine with cutting tools and can produce blades of various shapes and sizes through various cutting, forging, and heat treatment methods, thus meeting the needs of manufacturers to customize cutting tools according to specific requirements.

Overall, N690 steel occupies an important position in tool manufacturing and industrial applications due to its high hardness, excellent wear resistance and corrosion resistance, as well as good processing performance.

Of course, if you go outdoors, it's not just knives, you also need to decide on different supplies based on factors such as weather, difficulty, duration, and the time and distance to get help.