Is 3cr13 Stainless Steel Good for Knives? – [Complete Steel Guide]

You might want to know whether or not a knife is good before adding it to your collection. The best way to learn this is by primarily finding out what sort of material was used to create it.

One type of stainless is the 3cr13. Now the real question here, is 3cr13 stainless steel good for knives? To figure that out, we have to know more about this material at first. We will break everything down and will touch the smallest bits to give a proper answer to this question.

Are you ready?

What Exactly is 3cr13 Stainless Steel?

Before we get into the other details, you should know what this material is. So basically, this is an inexpensive Martensitic stainless steel that is manufactured in China. This is widely used to make knives as it resists high corrosion and also has to wear resistance.

You will find this mainly in the USA very frequently as it is a good option for its price. The knives that are created using this are exceptionally durable and are cheaper relatively.

3cr13 Chemical Composition

So, by this point, you might be intrigued to find out the chemical composition of such affordable material. Well, to put an end to your curiosity, here is a breakdown of all the chemical and their relevance:

• 13% Chromium: Like any other stainless steel, this too is composed of this percentage of Chromium. The good thing about this element is that it enhances the corrosion and wear resistance. Moreover, the hardness is seen to improve as well. But, the downside of too much of this is that the overall strength decreases.
• 1% Manganese: This one too enhances the hardness. Another good thing about manganese is that it increases brittleness.
• 1% Silicon: The total strength is increased.
• 0.6% Nickel: The toughness is improved because of this component.
• 0.35% Carbon: Edge retention is achieved due to carbon. It also provides tensile strength.
• 0.04% Phosphorus: Strength is enhanced.
• 0.03% of Sulfur: Maneuverability is improved by it. But Sulphur decreases power.

The last thing to touch about the chemical composition is the Rock Well Hardness. The HRC of the 3cr13 stainless steel is about 54. This is variable and can range from 52 to 55. The dependent factor here is the steelmaker.

The Steel Properties of the 3cr13 Stainless Steel

Now that we are done finding out about the steel let us get acquainted with its properties. Essentially, this should give us a clear idea of whether or not this material is worth it.

• Strength:

It is safe to say that this is quite a tough material. Since it has Manganese, Nickel, and Silicon, as stated above, the strength of the steel is amplified.

• Sharpness:

Knives are meant to cut through things, and for that to happen, it NEEDS to be sharp. A blunt knife is nothing better than a vegetable. Lucky for us, this is very easy and simple to sharpen.

• Resistance to Wear:

As seen above, it is highly corrosion-resistant. It is excellent for those who live in an area that is humid. Once a knife starts to corrode, it is not usable anymore. So, you will be able to use this without a flicker of worry.

• Edge Retention:

We wouldn’t say that this has the best edge retention available in the market. But we aren’t complaining, compared to the price it’s okay.

• Hardness:

Even though this is inexpensive, the hardness of this is very impressive. It goes well with the machinability.

• Machinability:

If we could use one word to describe this property, we would say it is AMAZING. It has a positive effect on hardness.

Which Other Stainless Steel Is Similar to 3cr13?

If we take a look at the chemical level, 420j2 is pretty similar to the 3cr13. Their properties are the same. Moreover, the price is identical too. Though the 3cr13 is more hard and tough, it still shares similarities with the 1cr13 and 2cr13.

Some Awesome 3CR13 Knives Reviews in the Market

Here are some of our top picks:

1. Kershaw Cinder Pocket Knife

This is an absolute favorite because of the quality and the durability of the product. It is the perfect value choice as it is affordable. To all the girls out there, stash this in your purse for your safety.

2. Smith & Wesson Bullseye SWCAMP 3 Piece Camping Set 

If you are a chef or even a cooking enthusiast, you should pick this up. The blade is hard and tough. It can make the perfect cut quickly. One hundred percent recommend this one.