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Various Manufacturers / Germany

X21Cr13

Low Carbon Stainless Steel (Basic Martensitic)50–54 HRCConventional Ingot Steel Process

Composition

Core alloying elements define the baseline trade-off between wear resistance, corrosion behavior, and toughness.

Material Overview

X21Cr13(DIN) - Highly stain resistant steel, popular choice for budget and other knives requiring high corrosion resistance, e.g. diving knives.

Performance Radar

Use four core metrics to understand the usable operating envelope of this steel at a glance.

Edge Retention
Toughness
Corrosion Resistance
Sharpenability
Edge Retention
3.0
Toughness
7.0
Corrosion Resistance
7.0
Sharpenability
10.0

Advantages

  • Extremely easy to sharpen
  • Good corrosion resistance
  • Very low cost
  • Highly resistant to rust in basic environments
  • Good for simple utility use

Disadvantages

  • Very poor edge retention
  • Soft blade performance
  • Requires frequent sharpening
  • Not suitable for serious cutting tasks

At A Glance

X21Cr13(DIN) - Highly stain resistant steel, popular choice for budget and other knives requiring high corrosion resistance, e.g. diving knives.