Knife Know-It-All

TL;DR: The Gerber Paraframe is an interesting 3" skeletonized EDC folder. Its 314 stainless blade and handle come coated in TiN. Decent sharpness out...

Regardless of whether its carbon, stainless, or tool steel, all knife alloys have some (or all) of the following elements in their composition. When...

You've probably seen Sandvik 14C28N steel listed alongside the specifications for a cheap folding knife or pocket knife. Is it a good knife steel?...

Elmax is a high-end stainless CPM (Crucible Particle Metallurgy) steel developed by the Austrian steel company Böhler-Uddeholm. Böhler makes specialized alloys for aerospace companies...

TL;DR: At $33 to $55, the CJRB Ria isn't enough knife for the price. For such a thin, high grind, its sharpness is mediocre....

The 8Cr13MoV alloy has been called "cheap" -- it is, after all, a Chinese stainless alloy -- but that doesn't meant it isn't a good knife steel. Let's review its composition, popular knife blades that use it, and its pros and cons.

The US-made Kershaw Link is a durable and compact cutter. Thanks to its CPM 20CV steel, its cutting edge has some of the best edge retention of all knives we've tested. It's also heavy. Is it worth $80? Find out here.

Let's compare carbon, tool, and stainless steel. Today, we're also reviewing powdered metals. Let's also see what elements and carbides contribute to a knife blade's performance, and how they work.