Jan 8, 2017 · Saying N690 is a budget steel is like saying a great American knife company suffers fit and finish issues every * single * time their name is mentioned when there are many more people that have plenty of their knives that are near perfect by mass production standards.

Apr 21, 2013 · It has been said that N690 Co is the best you can have before getting into the powder metal types. I could agree to that. S35VN however IS a powder steel and a good step above N690. I have folders in both steels . S35VN is my favorite of the powder steels .

Apr 25, 2014 · Bohler N690 stainless steel is a very good all around conventional steel used a lot in Europe. Fox Knives uses N690CO and Boker Knives has its N690BO. Fox uses it in almost all of its knives made in Italy. Wish Boker would use it more than 440C and AUS-8. Commonly compared to VG-10 and 154CM. Here's how Bohler describes N690:

Sep 18, 2006 · N690 is not unknown. We've known N690 since Extrema Ratio made their knives out of it, and they are tough and sharp. As others have said, the knives are made in Italy, where they are more familiar with it, being an Austrian steel -- right next door. Part of the problem is, the latest high-end steel gets the conversation.

Mar 16, 2005 · The performance is different. In my side-by-side comparisons cutting manila rope N690 held an edge better than 440C. The edge retention performance of N690 was similar to that of 154CM and VG10. In my opinion N690 takes a finer edge than 440C, though I can't measure the difference. Neither 440C nor N690 is a suitable alloy for a chopper.

Dec 16, 2012 · Im looking at the bradford guardian 3.5. Both the same price. One in nitro v the other in n690. I have read a little on the steel but dont have first hamd experiance. Is there a reason to choose on over the other. Iv had/have vg10, s35vn, s30v, d2, 1095, 5160, m4, 154cm.

Apr 6, 2004 · How do you know that? N690 is available in Europe, VG-10 is available in Japan. How do you go about comparing steel prices when they are compared in different countries with different currencies and not used in the same countries? Just curious. I like S30V too but that's an American steel. You won't find it in Japan or Europe.

Dec 29, 2017 · N690 is roughly similar in composition to 440C, with about ~ 1% carbon and ~ 17% chromium. Other similarities to VG-10 as well, with molybdenum and cobalt in the alloy. Heavier grinding may be difficult (VERY slow) on Arkansas stones, although they might work OK at the finer end for finishing up.

Nov 11, 2014 · N690 will have better edge retention but will be less tough. Since 14c28n has nitrogen added, it should be more corrosion resistant. Generally N690 is considered a better steel, but for a bushcraft knife you might want the extra toughness and ease of sharpening.

Jan 11, 2007 · However, N690 also contains cobalt and a small amount of Vanadium. These additions enhance the properties of the alloy. I got a chance to try N690 in a Benchmade Monochrome. When I ran side by side manila rope cutting comparisons, I found the edge retention of N690 to be similar to that of 154CM and VG10 when all three were hardened to …