PUMA blade steels
What types of steel does Puma use and why?
No material offers a wider range of properties than steel. By carefully selecting the composition, manufacturing process, and heat treatment, steel can be precisely tailored to its intended use – and that's exactly what we do at Puma. All of the Puma knife steels we use are specifically designed for high usability, durability, and proper handling.
Overview: All Puma blade steels in comparison
The following table shows all knife steel types used by Puma with their chemical composition and achieved hardness in HRC. It serves as a reference for anyone who wants to learn more about the blade steel of their Puma knife.
| Designation | % C | % Si | % Mn | % N | % P | % S | % Cr | % V | % Mo | HRC |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.4034 / 420* | 0.43–0.50 | <1.00 | <1.00 | – | <0.04 | <0.015 | 12.50–14.50 | – | – | 52–54 |
| 1.4109 | 0.65–0.75 | <0.70 | <1.00 | – | <0.04 | <0.015 | 14.00–16.00 | – | 0.40–0.80 | 55–58 |
| 1.4110 / 440A* | 0.48–0.60 | <1.00 | <1.00 | – | <0.04 | <0.015 | 13.00–15.00 | <0.15 | 0.50–0.80 | 55–57 |
| 1.4112 / 440B* | 0.85–0.95 | <1.00 | <1.00 | – | <0.04 | <0.015 | 17.00–19.00 | 0.07–0.12 | 0.90–1.30 | 55–57 |
| 1.4116 | 0.45–0.55 | <1.00 | <1.00 | – | <0.04 | <0.015 | 14.00–15.00 | 0.10–0.20 | 0.50–0.80 | 55–57 |
| 1.4125 / 440C* | 0.90–1.25 | 0.35 | 0.50 | – | 0.018 | 0.004 | 16.00–18.00 | – | 0.60–0.75 | 57–60 |
| 1.4416 | 0.03 | 1.00 | 1.00 | 0.12–0.20 | 0.035 | 0.02 | 19.00–21.00 | – | 4.50–5.50 | 57–59 |
| Böhler N 680 | 0.54 | 0.45 | 0.40 | – | – | – | 17.30 | 0.10 | 1.10 | 53–58 |
| Böhler N 690 | 1.08 | 0.45 | 0.40 | – | – | – | 17.30 | 0.10 | 1.10 | 59–60 |
| Böhler M390 | 1.90 | 0.70 | 0.30 | – | – | – | 20.00 | 4.00 | 1.00 | 59–60 |
| Sandvik 14C28N | 0.62 | 0.20 | 0.60 | 0.11 | ≤0.025 | ≤0.010 | 14.00 | – | – | 60–62 |
| AN.58 | 0.45 | 0.34 | 0.49 | 0.12 | 0.02 | – | 13.50 | 0.02 | 0.01 | 56–58 |
| ACX-380 | 0.50 | <1.00 | <1.00 | – | <0.04 | <0.015 | 14.00–15.00 | 0.10 | 0.50 | 55–57 |
| D2 | 1.55 | – | 0.60 | 0.30 | – | – | 12.00 | 1.00 | 0.80 | 60–61 |
| Molybdenum-Vanadium | 0.45 | 0.34 | 0.49 | 0.12 | 0.02 | – | 13.50 | 0.02 | 0.01 | 56–58 |
| 3CR13 | 0.26–0.40 | – | 1.00 | – | 0.04 | – | 12.00–14.00 | – | – | 52–55 |
| DAMASTEEL® DS93X™ – RWL 34 | 1.05 | 0.50 | 0.50 | – | – | – | 14.00 | 0.20 | 4.00 | 57–60 |
| DAMASTEEL® DS93X™ – PMC 27 | 0.60 | 0.50 | 0.50 | – | – | – | 13.50 | – | – | 57–60 |
* American designation
What do the alloying elements mean? – Influence on blade properties
The properties of a blade steel are largely determined by its alloying elements. Understanding what chromium, carbon, or vanadium do in steel can help you better assess the choice of the right Puma knife.
Forms carbides of all other elements during the hardening process. The carbides of the different elements have different hardness – carbon is therefore the central factor for blade hardness.
Causes a certain rust resistance and at the same time increases hardness and toughness. Indispensable for stainless blade steels such as the 440 series or 1.4116.
Binds excess oxygen and degasses the melt. At the same time, hardness and toughness increase if the alloy content is not too high.
Has the hardest carbide. It increases strength, toughness, and corrosion resistance. With a high alloy content, heat resistance also increases.
Mainly improves toughness and fracture resistance. It also contributes to finer grain formation, which positively influences the sharpenability of the blade.
Degasses the melt. With a low content, the tensile and compressive strength of the steel noticeably improve.
Increases hardness, but makes the steel brittle at higher alloy content. It is therefore kept as low as possible.
Is considered an impurity and is often not mentioned in analyses. Reduced as much as possible in quality steels.