What Is 7cr17mov? How Good Is It? | The Truth About Knives (2024)

It has a bit of a crazy name but 7cr17 is a type of steel that we will cover in more detail in this guide, as well as what it is used for and how it is maintained.

What Is 7Cr17MoV?

7Cr17 stainless steel is manufactured in China and is a modified variant of 440A stainless steel. It has been fortified with vanadium to increase its strength and wear resistance.

It also has a high carbon and chromium content, which increases its hardness and anti-corrosion capabilities.

This steel is commonly used to create survival knives due to its excellent toughness and resistance to corrosion. Though it may also be found in bigger chef knives and cleavers.

Despite its numerous appealing features, this steel display is reasonably priced (typical of all Chinese steel grades). In addition, unlike high-end steels, a nice 7Cr17MoV knife does not require the sale of a kidney.

In other words, you may get a lot of bang for your buck with this steel.

Though hardness and toughness may sound similar to you, they have quite distinct meanings in the world of steel. Steel with a high hardness will be brittle.

The inverse is also true. This steel has poor toughness due to its high hardness, yet it’s reasonably tough for the price. Unlike other low-end steels, it will withstand abuse well.

The corrosion restate is one area where the 7Cr17MoV particularly shines. It has a high concentration of chromium, up to 17%, which increases the bar for staining, rusting, and corrosion resistance.

Because of their great corrosion resistance, these knives last longer than conventional blades.

The reality of 7Cr17MoV’s capacity to maintain a competitive advantage is that it isn’t that good. Brittleness is increased by the presence of sulfur and phosphorus components in its composition, resulting in poor edge retention.

However, high levels of carbon and vanadium increase steel hardness, resulting in increased abrasion resistance and edge retention.

Having said that, you can anticipate this steel to produce blades with excellent edge retention. However, don’t expect it to provide premium-level edge retention performance.

Sharpening 7Cr17MoV is a breeze because of its low hardness. A rookie knife user with little or no sharpening abilities will be able to simply and rapidly acquire a super-sharp edge with a 7Cr17MoV stainless steel knife.

However, the softer the steel, the sooner it will dull. This means you’ll have to sharpen it more frequently.

What Is 7Cr17MoV Used For?

If you’re searching for a low-cost knife for outdoor or general use, 7Cr17MoV is an excellent steel to utilize.

Exceptional corrosion resistance and high hardness are two key characteristics that make this steel a top choice for anyone searching for a solid knife at a reasonable price.

These characteristics qualify 7Cr17MoV as low-end stainless steel for the production of very dependable survival or hunting knives that can survive misuse and tough environments.

For the price, the edge retention is quite acceptable.

Overall, 7Cr17MoV steel is a wonderful choice for anybody searching for a high-performance, low-cost knife. Similarly, this steel is ideal for a beginning or entry-level knife.

How To Look After A 7Cr17MoV Knife

Even low-cost knives require adequate care and maintenance to ensure that they continue to work properly and last a long time.

To guarantee optimal performance, follow the recommendations below on how to properly care for your 7Cr17MoV steel knife.

Whenever possible, keep the knife dry and clean and after every time you use it, clean and dry it as soon as you can.

Never put the knife in the dishwasher or leave it to soak in water.

Hand-wash your knife in warm, soapy water to clean it. Abrasive sponges and cleaning surfaces should be avoided.

When drying your knife, make sure to use an absorbent, non-abrasive drying medium. Paper towels are the most often used method for drying yCr17MoV blades.

This might sound obvious, but it is very important that you remember to keep your knives out of reach of small children and those who may inadvertently or purposefully damage themselves or others.

7Cr17MoV knives, in particular, need a few extra measures in order to keep the steel blade in good condition.

Because carbon steel is extremely susceptible to acidic materials, it is critical that you rinse and properly dry your blade after cutting anything acidic, such as citrus fruits.

If you don’t fully clean your blade after coming into touch with acid, the steel will corrode, and the blade will be destroyed.

After washing and drying the knife, oil it with a food-safe, neutral oil to preserve the blade. The oil acts as a barrier, preventing any possible harm from occurring during future moisture and acid contact.

Camellia oil is widely used for 7Cr17MoV blades since it is odorless, does not impact the flavor of the food with which your blade will come into contact, and does not dry out the steel as quickly as other oils.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Strong Is 7Cr17MoV?

7Cr17MoV steel is not the strongest steel available. When opposed to other types of steel, it rates fairly low. However, this does not mean that it is useless at all.

This steel does more than just get the job done for its pricing. It has the strength to manage both inside duties and all of your outside excursions; so, it is sufficiently strong.

Does 7Cr17MoV Rust?

Although 7Cr17MoV steel does not compare well to premium types of steel in terms of hardness, it can nonetheless perform an excellent job of resisting wear and tear.

This is due to the high amount of chromium which provides exceptional resistance to corrosion and even superior wear resistance. However, 7Cr17MoV is not completely resistant to rust; if it is not properly maintained, it rusts. This is possible if you store it in a humid atmosphere.

Summary

Simply said, 7Cr17MoV stainless steel is an exceptional choice for beginners and those who do not want to spend a lot of money on a knife. It’s ideal if you want to check out a knife without making too many sacrifices.