Quais são as principais famílias de aço usadas em cutelaria?

As principais famílias são o **Aço Carbono**, o **Aço Inox**, o **Aço SAE 6150** e o **Aço Damasco**. Cada uma oferece características distintas que beneficiam diferentes tipos de lâminas e usos.

Quais as características do Aço Carbono?

O Aço Carbono tem alta concentração de carbono (0,6% a 1%) e poucos outros elementos. É fácil de forjar e temperar, permitindo diversos acabamentos. Suas lâminas são fáceis de afiar, mas exigem mais manutenção para evitar oxidação (ferrugem).

O que torna o Aço Inox resistente à oxidação?

O Aço Inox possui uma elevada quantidade de cromo em sua liga. Esse cromo forma uma película protetora que confere maior resistência à oxidação (ferrugem) em comparação com outros aços, embora não o torne completamente imune.

Quais as vantagens do Aço SAE 6150 para cutelaria?

O Aço SAE 6150 é uma liga resistente e durável, com teor de cromo que confere boa resistência à corrosão. Sua alta dureza e resistência o tornam ideal para lâminas que precisam manter o fio por muito tempo, sendo amplamente utilizado em facões.

Por que o Aço Damasco é tão valorizado por colecionadores?

O Aço Damasco é a união de dois ou mais tipos de aço com características distintas, forjados pela técnica de caldeamento. Isso cria um efeito visual de ondulações únicas na lâmina, além de proporcionar flexibilidade. É de difícil obtenção e alto valor agregado, sendo um item nobre para colecionadores.

Quais são os tipos de aço mais populares em cutelaria e seus usos?

Alguns tipos populares incluem: **Aço 1020** (bom para cabos, não lâminas); **Aço 1045** (para espadas e facões básicos); **Aço 1070** (usado em misturas para Aço Damasco); **Aço 1095** (excelente para forja e limas); **Aço 5160** (muito eficaz para espadas e facões); e **Aço 52100** (o preferido de muitos cuteleiros para qualquer tipo de lâmina de qualidade superior).

What are the best types of steel for cutlery?

Junior Dorigatti 05 de July de 2023

Quais são os melhores tipos de aço para cutelaria?

Steel is a material widely used in our daily lives. Have you noticed how we always need some steel item? Especially when it comes to cutlery!

The field of cutlery is serious business, and therefore, it's important to choose certified products that offer reliability and safety.

Considering all this importance, in today's post, we will talk about the types of steel for cutlery, so you can understand more about how each one benefits knives, pocket knives, and machetes!

Facão Aço carbono 1070/14 - Cutelaria Cimo

There are countless types of steel, and even those belonging to the same family, such as stainless steel, are subdivided into categories.

For this reason, we will clarify some points for those who take the quality of cutlery items seriously when purchasing them!

What are the existing steel families?

Before explaining each type of steel for cutlery, we need to understand what the existing steel families are.

1. Carbon Steel

The main characteristic of carbon steel is the amount of carbon in the alloy, which generally ranges from 0.6% to 1% for steels suitable for cutlery, having a very low concentration of other elements.

The carbon steel family is the most traditional steel family and one of the favorites of cutlers and collectors. And it's so successful because it is a simpler steel to treat, forge, and temper, allowing for differentiated finishes that can be rustic, mirrored, and even more malleable mixtures that favor the manufacture of machetes, for example.

canivete de aço carbono - Cutelaria cimo

In addition, blades such as those of knives and carbon steel pocket knives are much easier to sharpen. On the other hand, they require more care in their maintenance, precisely to prevent oxidation.

2. Stainless Steel

Coming from the term "Stainless Steel," the stainless steel family is the most well-known. Every type of steel in this family is less prone to oxidation (rust), but this does not mean that "Stainless" will never rust.

It only has greater resistance, especially compared to carbon steel. And, therefore, it requires less care! The main characteristic of stainless steel is the high amount of chromium in its alloy, which forms a kind of film, responsible for making this steel more resistant to oxidation.

faca de aço inox - Cutelaria Cimo

Normally, items from this family are widely used in the kitchen because they are well accepted for daily tasks, do not involve heavy use, and help to reduce the risk of food contamination thanks to their stainless action.

3. SAE 6150 Steel

The SAE 6150 steel family has a strong and durable alloy. Thanks to its very high resistance, this steel is more commonly found and used in other segments, such as the automotive industry.

Despite this, the chromium content of 6150 steel, which ranges from 0.80% to 1.10%, gives the material good corrosion resistance. A very relevant characteristic for knives and other cutlery items that may be exposed to humid or corrosive environments.

In addition, SAE 6150 steel has high strength and high hardness that make it an excellent choice for blades that need to be sharp and maintain their edge for a long time. Considering these advantages, Cimo machetes are made of SAE 6150 steel with approximately 46-49Hrc hardness.

4. Damascus Steel

This family is, perhaps, the favorite of 90% of collectors. They are noble steels, of high added value and great beauty. Damascus is the union of two or more types of steel with distinct particularities, joined by the forge welding technique.

The union of these steels in cutlery creates a very interesting visual effect, with undulations that, on the blade, give the impression of movement. In addition, a damascus bar can have several layers, ranging from 50 to 600.

The advantage of this family — in addition to the beauty of the blade — is the flexibility it provides, because the cutler who forges damascus mixes a high-carbon steel with a medium to low carbon steel.

That is, it is a steel that is difficult to obtain, which makes the product more expensive, but it is highly valued by collectors. An example of this are samurai swords that contained up to 1000 layers, incredible isn't it?

What are the main types of steel for cutlery?

You know the main steel families in cutlery, now let's look at the most popular types of steel!

1020 Steel

GGD SAE or 1020 is one of the most common types of steel, used for carburizing with an excellent cost-benefit ratio.

In addition, it has excellent plasticity and weldability, not being indicated for the making of knife blades, but widely used in the manufacture of handles.

1045 Steel

GGD SAE or 1045 is a steel for heat treatment with low hardenability. However, it presents a good relationship between mechanical strength and fracture resistance.

The 1045 can be used to make swords and some machetes, but there are higher quality steels for the cutlery market.

1070 Steel

This steel is composed of 0.7% carbon. Denominated as 1070, it is widely used in cutlery, especially to make mixtures with other steels, aiming to form damascus type steels, found in knives and customizable pocket knives.

1095 Steel

The 1095 steel, composed of 0.95% carbon, is excellent for the beginner cutler to practice forging and even to make period knives, or replicas. In addition, it is also used for the manufacture of files for sharpening knives.

5160 Steel

Widely used for making automotive springs, 5160 steel is the main steel for the beginner forging cutler, and it is also the choice of many experienced cutlers.

This happens because the 5160 is very effective when working, presenting excellent results in the manufacture of swords and machetes. In addition, 5160 steel has a chromium alloy and 0.6% carbon.

52100 Steel

52100 steel contains 1% carbon and a small amount of chromium. It is the most chosen steel for making bearings and can be found in flat or round bars.

Undoubtedly, it is the favorite of most Brazilian cutlers, since, with it, it is possible to make any type of knife, sword, or machete with superior quality.

facão aço carbono 1040 - Cutelaria Cimo

Best types of steel for cutlery: what prevails?

Now that you know the main steel families and types, and their main functionalities, when choosing the steel for your blade, the ideal is to know the origin of the steel, to ensure that the material is supplied by certified companies in the cutlery industry, since it is not possible to identify if it is good or bad just by looking at the blade.

seerralheiro tirando rebarba de peça

Therefore, if you are looking for a reliable and experienced supplier of cutlers and blades, we invite you to visit Cutelaria CIMO. A company with its own national manufacturing, which offers a permanent guarantee for its products!

If you are looking for cutlery items such as knives, pocket knives, machetes, or barbecue equipment, this is the right store for you.

Check it out!