What is 14c28n steel? [Steel Knife Review]
When you’re a knife user, then you probably heard about the Sandvik steels, one of it steels is the 14c28n. It got our intention while trying to buy an entry-budget folding knife. After all here we highly reviews about the 14c28n steel review.
On this occasion we have gathered a series of opinions that are very useful to be discern which are the best kitchen knives. So, at first we hope it can be of use and that it can save you headaches. On the other hand this review has carefully compiled, carefully weighing the benefits and 14c28n all features.
14c28n Steel Knife Relevant Products Table
Best 14C28N Knives
Kershaw Leek
- Versatile 3 inch blade made with Sandvik 14C28N Steel, one of the highest...
- 410 stainless steel alloy handle provides resistance to corrosion and extra...
- Frame lock gives the knife a slim sleek style while holding the blade open...
- SpeedSafe Assisted opening allows opening with Minimal effort and maximal...
The Kershaw Leek is a most popular EDC knife that design by legendary custom knife maker Ken Onion. Most of the user loves this one that has received a lot of attention on this site. There one of the best reason that he is highly regarded as a knife designer.
Without any confusion, you can purchase this set that has a slim, versatile, modified drip-point blade with good slicing capabilities. On the other hand the professional performing blade steels sharpen to a razor edge and hold the edge for an extended use.
For this perfect size that for most tasks and the slim tip allows the knife to excel at piercing and detail work.
On the other hand, Speedsafe assisted opening allows for easy blade deployment with the use of a simple pull back on the ambidextrous flipper.
Consideration before Buying
What is 14c28n steel?
14c28n is the most popular material for the knife: stainless steel and made by the Swedish company. It mainly made for knife and it high in Chromium for excellent corrosion resistance.
However, Kershaw asked Sandvik to make their 13C26 steel more resistant to corrosion, and the result was 14C28N.
It richly deserves its reputation for high-quality gained over the years by Sandvik, a Swedish manufacturer of world-renowned steel. That comes with an excellent return of experience that makes it ideal for the manufacturer of outdoor and tactical knife blades.
Is 14c28n steel good for knife?
Honestly, yes, because it’s perfect steel for your knife, besides it depends on which knife, so when you’re talking about chef knives, then 14c28n would be an ideal pick thanks to professional corrosion resistance and edge retention.
However the 14c28n steel would be great for an EDC knife with typical usage. But if when you’re searching for tough steel for your outdoor experience camping, or hunting, it would be perfect steel but not the best choice there’re other steels with better than toughness that would suit your usage.
Is 14c28n steel easy to sharpen?
It is a Sandvik stainless steel that originally developed for razor blades. And easy to sharpen in our experience; and that will get an excellent razor edge that lasts for a reasonable price of time.
However, the 14c28n provides perfect edge retention with a maximum hardness of 62Hrc and the mixture of Chromium and Carbon. That provides 14% Chromium and offers excellent corrosion resistance. So, its hard steel is easy to sharpen.
Check out our guide on vg10 pocket knife to help you find the best Vg 10 steel for you.
14c28n steel hardness
If you purchase this types of knife, without any hassle you can easily re-sharpening. On the other hand, edge stability in terms of microchipping and edge folding is also good.
With recommended hardness range of 55-62 HRC; the 14C28N is great for knife applications which place very high demands on edge sharpness, edge stability and corrosion resistance such as chef’s knives, hunting knife, pocket knives and fishing knives.
14c28n Steel Composition
| Materials | Quantity | Works | |
| Carbon | 0.625 | Improves hardness Wear/corrosion resistance Unfortunately a high amount of it decreases strength. | |
| Chromium | 14% | Great for tensile strength and Edge retention. Even it enhances corrosion resistance and wear resistance | |
| Nitrogen | 0.11% | Great for strength and edge retention. | |
| Manganese | 0.6% | It improves hardness and brittleness. | |
| Silicon | 0.2% | Great for strength. | |
| Phosphorus | 0.025% | Improves strength. | |
| Sulfur | 0.01% | Improves machinability. | |
14C28N VS D2
| 14C28N | D2 | works |
| 4/10 | 8/10 | EDGE RETENTION |
| 6/10 | 2/10 | CORROSION RESISTANCE |
| 6/10 | 3/10 | EASE OF SHARPENING |
| 6/10 | 6/10 | TOUGHNESS |
[D2]: Specially D2 steel is tool steel often referred to as “semi-stainless” as it falls just short of the required amount of chromium, to qualify as full stainless yet it still gives the best amount of corrosion resistance.
14C28N VS 440C
| 14C28N | 440C | works |
| 4/10 | 4/10 | EDGE RETENTION |
| 6/10 | 4/10 | CORROSION RESISTANCE |
| 6/10 | 6/10 | EASE OF SHARPENING |
| 6/10 | 5/10 | TOUGHNESS |
[440C]: The 440C stainless steel is a high carbon martensitic stainless steel. That comes with high strength, moderate corrosion resistance and perfect hardness and wear resistance. On the other hand, it can attain, after heat treatment, the highest strength hardness and wear resistance of all the stainless alloys.
4C28N VS 8CR13MOV
| 14C28N | 8CR13MOV | works |
| 4/10 | 3/10 | EDGE RETENTION |
| 6/10 | 3/10 | CORROSION RESISTANCE |
| 6/10 | 8/10 | EASE OF SHARPENING |
| 6/10 | 6/10 | TOUGHNESS |
[8CR13MOV]: The 8Cr13MoV Stainless Steel is a high carbon – high Chromium alloy use mostly for a kitchen knife. However, these types of steel usually contain several primary and secondary carbides and cementite, responsible for higher hardness and cutting ability.
14C28N VS 420HC
| 14C28N | 420HC | works |
| 4/10 | 3/10 | EDGE RETENTION |
| 6/10 | 8/10 | CORROSION RESISTANCE |
| 6/10 | 9/10 | EASE OF SHARPENING |
| 6/10 | 6/10 | TOUGHNESS |
[420HC]: 420HC is basically a retrofit of a very old steel, adding more carbon to the recipe of 420. That is soft, with very low carbon content.
14C28N VS S30V
| 14C28N | S30V | works |
| 4/10 | 5/10 | EDGE RETENTION |
| 6/10 | 5/10 | CORROSION RESISTANCE |
| 6/10 | 7/10 | EASE OF SHARPENING |
| 6/10 | 6/10 | TOUGHNESS |
[S30V]: Professional quality edge retention comes with the same level of toughness and corrosion resistance compared to the CTS BD1 steel.
14C28N VS VG10
| 14C28N | VG10 | works |
| 4/10 | 6/10 | EDGE RETENTION |
| 6/10 | 7/10 | CORROSION RESISTANCE |
| 6/10 | 6/10 | EASE OF SHARPENING |
| 6/10 | 4/10 | TOUGHNESS |
Conclusion:
Every knife manufacturer’s, know that how important to choose the right steel for the right usages. On the other hand most of the brand provides low-budget plates of steel sound like they’re low quality steels, for this reason which is not the case, and they provides perfect properties that can suit your usage.
