Sandvik has many steel grades and one of them is 12C27 which is popularly used in the knife making market. Famous knife makers and knife company owners love using the 12C27 for amazing features. We came up with details that you will need to know to decide whether 12C27 is perfect for making knife blades.
What is 12C7 steel?
A well-known Spanish company called Sandvik AB came up with Sandvik 12C27 which is an alloy consisting high amount of chromium steel, carbon and crystalline steel that has a tetragonal structure. You will get the Sandvik steel available in seven grades including the famous ones as well called 12C27M, 13C26, and 14C28N.
The Swedish Sandvik 12C27 steel is famous for use in the American market for knife making because of its great features. The steel has great corrosion resistance making it wear-resistant as well. With the great hardness of the steel, you get edge retention ensuring that you can use the steel for knives that requires performing heavy duty. The 12C27 steel is used for the making of various sort of knives which includes, camping, fishing, hunting, tactical and also some professional chef knives.
Chemical Composition:
The Sandvik 12C27 is Swedish stainless steel that is made out of some elements that work for its great features. We have listed down these elements, have a look!
- 6% of Carbon: Aids in making the steel resistant to corrosion, wear and tear.
- 5% of Chromium: Works for adding an increased amount of edge retention, hardness, tensile strength, hardness and great corrosion resistance, wear and tear.
- 4% of Manganese: Helps to add an increased level of hardness, and tensile strength and makes the steel resistant to wear.
- 03% of Phosphorus: Increases machinability and strength of the steel.
- 4% of Silicon: Adds increased strength to the steel and also makes the steel resistant to corrosion.
- 01% of Sulphur: Works for increasing machinability.
The hardness of steel:
According to the hardness scale of Rockwell C, the rating of the Sandvik 12C27 steel lies between 54 and 61 HRC. The rating varies as it depends on the implemented heat treatment given to the steel. The rating shown on the Rockwell C scale proves that the steel already has high hardness. Having a value that is above 59 on the scale shows that the steel is hard.
Properties of Sandvik 12C27 steel:
- Great Toughness: The Sandvik 12C27 steel can be considered to be tough as the rating is beyond 59 HRC. The level of the toughness gives the steel a carbide structure that is fine and perfect. You can make knife blades that are capable of heavy-duty and is resistant to breaking, chipping and also cracking.
- Fair Edge Retention: The capability of edge retention is connected to the hardness level of the Sandvik 12C27 steel. With good sharpening skills, you will be easily able to bring the edge of the blade into perfect sharpness for regular use.
- Excellent Wear Resistance: As the Sandvik 12C27 steel has a high level of hardness, the wear-resistant is also impressive as both features are connected. The increased hardness makes the steel capable to resist wear and tear so you can use it in your daily life without any worries.
- Corrosion Resistance: The stainless steel consists of the perfect amount of chromium and required amount of carbon to ensure that it is resistant to corrosion and also gets stained. As the steel is resistant to corrosion, the knife becomes perfect for making fishing and hunting knives.
- Ease of Sharpening: The hardness level of the steel is not extremely high; this ensures that you have ease in sharpening.
Comparison with other knife grades of Sandvik Steel:
Sandvik 12C27 vs. D2
Knifemakers love D2 as it is capable of holding the edge of the knife very well even if it is used regularly for many imaginable purposes. A lot of knife makers admire the wear-resistant of D2 claiming that it is one of the best that they have seen. The reason D2 has commendable wear resistance is because of the high level of hardness.
The capacity of edge retention and wear resistance of 12C27 is also satisfactory but not to the level of perfection that D2 has. However, you will find sharpening 12C27 easier compared to D2. Furthermore, the production of 12C27 is much cheaper than D2 as you will need a fewer types of elements for creating an alloy.
12C27 vs. 8Cr13MoV
8Cr13MoV is a Chinese steel that consists of other unique elements like molybdenum, nickel and vanadium that you will not find in 12C27. These additional elements in 8Cr13MoV, make it have a great level of hardness, sharpness and toughness. The only negative side of this metal is that it is not adequate in resisting corrosion like 12C27.
Sandvik 12C27 vs. 440C
Sandvik 12C27 has more hardness compared to 440C as it consists of greater carbon content. 440C is however easier to work with as it has a lesser amount of carbon content. The 440C steel grade is also tougher compared to Sandvik Steel. Nevertheless, both of the steel options have great edge retaining capability.
The fact that 440C has higher chromium content compared to 12C27 puts 440C in a better position. 440C has better corrosion resistance and is affordable to use in knife making. You will see that there is an attractive mirror finish of 440C.
12C27 vs. 420HC
Compared to 12C27 the carbon content is less in 420HC which brings 12C27 to the better side as it will be able to have longer sharpness on the edge compared to 420HC. However, in case of wear resistance, the 420HC steel is better and you will also find it easier to sharpen 420HC. Both the steel types have similar corrosion resistance and are affordable in price.
12C27 vs. VG10
Compared to 12C27, VG10 has a higher level of hardness, corrosion resistance and edge retention. On the contradictory, it is difficult to sharpen VG10 and is also brittle making it expensive. The edge of VG10 will easily chip if it is used on tough surfaces.
Sandvik 12C27 vs. S30V
S30V is an expensive option for using in knife making. This steel grade consists of greater carbon content and vanadium compared to 12C27. 12C27 is a better option as it is easy to sharpen and is more affordable.
So, is 12C27 steel Good for Your Knives?
Yes! You can consider using Sandvik 12C27 for making blades for your knives. The steel is stainless, durable, resistant to corrosion, easy to sharpen, and has great edge retention. The steel has all the required features for a knife blade and is perfect for regular use.