X12MФ (Industrial)

The most significant aspect of knife-making is the material from which the knife is made. For this purpose, X12MФ steel has been widely used since the mid-last century to the present day, being one of the most reliable and suitable steels for knife making, similar to D2, Elmax, and 95x18.

Composition and properties of X12MФ steel

X12MФ steel is classified as alloyed ledeburite steel. Its formula contains 1.5% carbon and 12% chromium.

The alloy's marking consists of letters and numbers indicating the properties of this type of steel:
X - chromium;


12 - the percentage of chromium;

M - molybdenum;

Ф - the presence of vanadium in the steel.

The three elements with the highest proportion in the structure of this class of steel:
Chromium. The metal becomes resistant to corrosion, and the sharpness of the cutting edge is increased. If the chromium content in the alloy reaches 12%, the steel falls into the category of stainless steel.
Carbon. The hardness of the blades on the Rockwell scale reaches 62–63 HRC due to the high content of this element in the steel composition.
Molybdenum, silicon, and vanadium are inserted to increase the steel's hardness. These chemical elements make the metal less sensitive to overheating and strengthen the bonds between the particles. Manganese reduces the internal stress during deformation and processing.

Advantages of X12MФ steel

A good knife must be strong and durable. Other indicators that affect its quality are the ease of sharpening the blades and cutting properties. The high hardness of X12MФ steel is essential in everyday life when it is necessary to quickly and easily cut vegetables and fruits. The sharpness of the cutting edge allows these knives to be used daily in the kitchen, garden, and outdoors, working with wood and synthetic fabrics. Blades made of X12MФ do not dull quickly and do not require special care, as they belong to the stainless steel class and maintain sharp edges well.