Carbon / low-alloy knife steels
Simple high-carbon steels: tough, easy to sharpen, take a screaming edge — but they rust without care. Beloved for outdoor, bushcraft and traditional kitchen knives.
The Buy column opens Amazon search results for knives in that steel. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you — placement here is by documented spec, never by payment.
| Steel | Type | HRC | Edge | Corrosion | Toughness | Tier | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1075 | Carbon / low-alloy | 56-58 | low | low | very high | Budget | Shop → |
| 1084 | Carbon / low-alloy | 58-60 | medium | low | high | Budget | Shop → |
| 1095 | Carbon / low-alloy | 56-58 | medium | low | high | Budget | Shop → |
| 5160 | Carbon / low-alloy | 57-60 | medium | low | very high | Budget | Shop → |
| 80CrV2 | Carbon / low-alloy | 58-60 | medium | low | very high | Budget | Shop → |
| 52100 | Carbon / low-alloy | 60-64 | high | low | high | Mid | Shop → |
| W2 | Carbon / low-alloy | 58-62 | medium | low | high | Mid | Shop → |
Other types: Stainless · Tool & high-speed · powder steels · best for a purpose →