HAP40

HAP40

High-Speed Powder Steel

A powder-metallurgy high-speed steel from Hitachi, designed originally for industrial cutting tools. Japanese knife and tool makers adopted it for its exceptional hardness and wear resistance. The vanadium and cobalt additions produce carbides that resist abrasion beyond almost any other steel in this reference.

Sharpness8/10
Edge Retention10/10
Ease of Sharpening3/10
Rust Resistance5/10
carbon1.27%chromium4.20%tungsten6.50%molybdenum5.00%vanadium3.00%cobalt8.00%
Hardness64–68 HRC HRC
Heat TreatmentVery demanding — high-temperature soak required
Primary UsePremium chef's knives, specialist cutting tools
ManufacturerHitachi Metals (now Proterial)

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