10Cr15CoMoV

10Cr15CoMoV steel is a high quality stainless steel, which is mainly used in the cutlery industry. It is considered a Chinese variant of Japanese VG10, with which it shares similar properties and composition. Its resistance to corrosion and excellent blade retention have made it a popular choice for the manufacture of kitchen knives, especially those of a higher grade.

Chemical composition:

• C (carbon): ~1.0% - increases hardness and wear resistance.
• Cr (chromium): ~15% - provides high corrosion resistance.
• Co (cobalt): ~1.5% - increases hardness and improves heat treatment quality.
• Mo (molybdenum): ~1.0% - improves toughness and wear resistance.
• V (vanadium): ~0.3% - contributes to finer microstructure and higher blade retention.

Key Features:

1. Corrosion resistance: the high chromium content makes the steel corrosion resistant, which is key for use in kitchen environments.
2. Blade retention: the high carbon and vanadium content ensures that knife blades made from this steel stay sharp for a long time, even with heavy use.
3. Hardness: the steel reaches a hardness of around 58-62 HRC after proper heat treatment, allowing for exceptional blade performance.
4. Easy maintenance: despite its high hardness, the steel is relatively easy to grind with conventional grinding systems.

Uses:

• Kitchen knives: the most common use of this steel, especially for professional kitchen knives due to its excellent performance and low maintenance.
• Premium pocket knives.
• Hunting and outdoor knives.

Comparison with VG10:

• 10Cr15CoMoV steel is very similar to VG10 and has similar composition and properties. The main difference is that 10Cr15CoMoV is manufactured in China, which can bring affordability without affecting quality if the steel is processed correctly.

10Cr15CoMoV is a modern stainless steel that offers excellent value for money. Its properties have made it a popular choice for knives that require long blade life, corrosion resistance and easy maintenance. If you are looking for a steel similar to Japanese VG10 but at a more affordable price, 10Cr15CoMoV is a great choice.