440C vs VG-10
A side-by-side of two stainless knife steels on the specs that decide a purchase. 440C is a stainless steel; VG-10 is a stainless steel.
| Property | 440C | VG-10 | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hardness (HRC) | 58-60 | 59-61 | — |
| Edge retention | medium | high | VG-10 leads |
| Corrosion resistance | high | high | about the same |
| Toughness | medium | medium | about the same |
| Ease of sharpening | moderate | moderate | — |
| Price tier | Budget | Mid | — |
440C suits edc / folders, kitchen, budget; VG-10 suits edc / folders, kitchen. Neither is universally "better" — match the steel to the job, and remember heat treat matters as much as the alloy.
Chemical composition, side by side
| Element (%) | 440C | VG-10 |
|---|---|---|
| Carbon (C) | ~1.1 | 1 |
| Chromium (Cr) | ~17 | 15 |
| Molybdenum (Mo) | — | 1 |
| Vanadium (V) | — | 0.25 |
| Cobalt (Co) | — | 1.55 |
Nominal weight %; "~" = midpoint of the standard's range, "—" = not listed by the source. Sources: MakeItFrom (AISI standard ranges) (440C), Takefu Special Steel (e-tokko) (VG-10).
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Full profiles: 440C · VG-10 · best steel by purpose