4Cr14 steel is a low carbon high Chromium steel and, as a result, offers a moderate hardness level and good corrosion resistance. Blades made from this steel are perfect for simple cutting jobs or opening packages.

4Cr14 is popular in the knife-making industry and is mainly used to make folding, tactical, and kitchen knives. Knifemakers like this steel because it offers good corrosion resistance, is easy to work with, and is highly affordable.

4Cr14 Steel Composition

Carbon C 0.48%: Increases the edge retention, hardness and tensile strength. It also improves steel resistance to wear, abrasion and corrosion.
Chromium Cr 14.60%: Chromium Increases hardness, tensile strength and corrosion resistance of a blade.
Molybdenum Mo 0.55%: Improves machinability and corrosion resistance.
Vanadium V 0.10%: Forms hard vanadium carbide in combination with other elements that improve wear resistance.
Manganese Mn 1.00%: improves the strength and hardness of steel. When the steel is heat-treated, hardenability is improved with increased manganese.
Silicon Si 0.80%: Increases strength and heat resistance.
Phosphorus P 0.04%: Improves machinability and hardness.
Sulfur S 0.03%: Improves machinability.

Properties of 4Cr14 Steel

4Cr14 Steel Hardness

The hardness of 4Cr14 steel ranges between 55 to 57HRC as per the Rockwell hardness scale. While it is not the worst hardness steel can offer, this hardness level is not the best either, and it is associated with the low Carbon in its composition.

Carbon is the determinant component on the hardness level of steel. Steel should have at least 1% carbon in its composition for proper hardness. With 0.38% carbon, 4Cr14 does not have much to offer on hardness and cutting performance. On a positive note, you are assured of good toughness with reduced hardness.

4Cr14 Steel Corrosion resistance

4Cr14 offers good corrosion resistance because it contains enough Chromium content in its composition to make it stainless steel. This means that you can use it in wet environments like the kitchen without the fear of stains and rust.

But does the steel ever rust? 4Cr14 steel is not the best stainless steel out there; therefore, it requires proper care to keep rust and stains at bay. Good care for this steel is as simple as washing the knives and drying them for storage.

4Cr14 Steel Toughness

Another advantage of 4Cr14 steel is that it offers decent toughness. As a rule of thumb, the toughness of steel increases with reduced hardness, which is valid with our steel of the day. You are assured that 4Cr14 knives do not break or chip easily.

4Cr14 Tool Steel