A Detailed Breakdown of N690 Stainless Steel

N690 steel is manufactured by the Austrian steelmaker Bohler Uddeholm, the same stainless steel company behind M390. The chemical makeup of N690 is similar to 440C and VG-10. As you can expect, people often refer to it as an alternative to these steels.

N690 steel isn’t as popular as 440C in pocket knives and VG-10 in kitchen cutlery, but it is becoming prominent in the knife industry. More and more tactical, survival, and pocket knife manufacturers use this steel to forge blades.

In this article, we’ll cover the properties of N690 and explain how they reflect on blades while concluding if they make a good product choice for knife stores.

Quick summary: Is N690 steel good for knives?

Yes, N690 is an excellent mid-to-high-end stainless steel for knives. It is best known for its exceptional corrosion resistance and its ability to take a very fine, razor-sharp edge.

• Best for: Tactical folders, survival knives, and high-end outdoor tools.
• Key Advantage: It is a “Cobalt-enriched” steel, which provides better edge stability and wear resistance than standard 440C.
• Comparison: It is often considered the European equivalent of Japanese VG-10 but offers slightly better toughness and stain resistance.
• Verdict: For knife retailers, N690 is a “safe” premium choice—it delivers consistent performance that satisfies both enthusiasts and professional users without the extreme cost of “super steels.”

N690 steel composition

• Carbon: 1.08%
• Chromium: 17.30%
• Cobalt: 1.50%
• Molybdenum: 1.10%
• Manganese: 0.40%
• Silicon: 0.40
• Vanadium: 0.10%

Source: BÖHLER N690

According to the official technical datasheet from Bohler-Uddeholm, N690 (scientifically known as 1.4528 / X105CrCoMo18-2) is classified as a martensitic chromium steel.

The addition of Cobalt (Co) is the defining factor that separates N690 from standard 440 series steels. Cobalt does not form carbides itself but strengthens the matrix, allowing for higher hardness without becoming overly brittle. This is why famous tactical brands like Extrema Ratio and Fox Knives (Italy) have relied on N690 for decades.

N690 steel properties

N690 steel features cobalt, which isn’t a common alloying element in knife steels. VG-10 also has 1.30 to 1.50% cobalt, explaining why many feel similarities between the two. However, even tiny differences can result in entirely different outcomes. Here’s more to N690 steel’s properties.

Hardness

The typical hardness range for N690 is between 58 and 60 HRc. Knifemakers can temper it below 58 HRc during heat treatment, but it doesn’t deliver optimal results. Similarly, hardening it above 60 HRc takes too much from its toughness.

N690 steel unlocks its potential as a blade material at 58 to 60 HRc. With that said, you can consider N690 medium to high-hardness steel for knives.

Edge retention

N690 steel sits at a pleasing hardness to ensure satisfying edge retention. Furthermore, the alloying elements contribute to its hardenability and wear resistance. These provide blades made from N690 to have an excellent edge-holding property.

Most users will agree that N690 blades hold a sharp edge well. However, it may not satisfy professionals using their cutting tools for hours on end.

Wear resistance

N690 steel is a high-wear resistance steel. The cobalt in the composition increases its wear resistance. The tiny amount of vanadium takes it a step further. This high wear-resistant nature of N690 also contributes to its edge retention capabilities.

Wear-resistant steel like this allows blades to maintain their appearance without scratches. Often, it also makes sharpening challenging, requiring the user to utilize abrasive sharpening tools. This isn’t a problem with N690. It takes a sharp edge more leisurely than most similarly hard and wear-resistant steels.

Corrosion resistance

With up to 17.30% chromium and traces of molybdenum, N690 steel has good corrosion resistance. It can supply all kinds of cutting tools with excellent corrosion resistance, from pocket knives to saw blades. 

N690 keeps rust at bay in corrosive environments, whether in the kitchen or outdoors. It achieves this with a high chromium-to-carbon ratio, allowing the steel to form necessary chromium carbides to resist corrosion.

Although it isn’t as effective as marine-grade steel, humid or rainy weather won’t corrode or rust N690 steel blades.

Toughness

N690 steel produces an overall strong blade with high impact resistance. This refers to using power to cut things. For example, it resists chipping when cutting dense foods or wood pieces. The resilience against chipping and rolled edges is one of Bohler N690’s main strengths.

N690 also doesn’t lose its strength when exposed to temperature fluctuations. When cutting freshly cooked food in winter camps, you can be sure that peeling wood bark next won’t disappoint. Many compressor pistons for refrigeration machines use N690 steel for its durability in this regard.

What to expect from N690 knives?

Everything we discussed about N690 stainless steel’s properties translates to an overall balanced blade.

It has adequate hardness without giving up on strength. It holds up to rust in corrosive environments while maintaining a wear-resistant blade. Yet, it doesn’t challenge knife users with its easy sharpening.

The balanced properties of N690 steel make it a versatile blade material with numerous applications, from EDC knives to hardened cutting tools. This is one of the reasons why knifemakers are slowly getting their customers familiarized with N690. In a few years, N690 might be as popular as 440C and VG-10.

N690 steel comparison

Steel	Hardness	Edge Retention	Corrosion Resistance	Toughness	Sharpening Ease	Price Level	Best For
N690	58–60 HRC	8.0	9.5	8.5	8.5	$$	Balanced EDC & outdoor use
VG-10	60–61 HRC	8.5	8.0	6.5	6.5	$$$	Fine cutting & kitchen knives
440C	58–60 HRC	6.5	8.0	8.0	9.5	$	Budget stainless knives
D2	60–62 HRC	9.0	4.0	6.5	5.0	$	Wear resistance & hard-use cutting
M390	60–62 HRC	9.5	9.5	8.5	5.0	$$$$	Premium high-end EDC
154CM	58–61 HRC	8.0	8.0	8.0	8.0	$$–$$$	Classic all-around stainless
14C28N	58–60 HRC	6.5	9.5	9.5	9.5	$$	Outdoor & beginner-friendly knives
MagnaCut	62–64 HRC	10	10	10	8.5	$$$$$	Top-tier modern super steel

N690 vs VG-10

VG-10 is one of the most popular Japanese knife steels in the market. N690 and VG-10 are commonly put side by side due to their similar composition.

Knife shops choosing between the two should note that VG-10 has higher hardness and sharpness with better edge retention. N690 is tougher, more corrosion-resistant, and easier to sharpen. 

However, these differences are only minor. The focal points for knifemakers and sellers is the pricing and accessibility between the two steel. VG010 is significantly pricier, and Japan has limited them to being exported outside of the country.

N690 vs 440C

440C steel is a more common and affordable name in the knife industry. While it’s a popular and trusted choice, it doesn’t deliver a better blade than N690.

Bohler’s N690 supplies knives with better edge retention, corrosion resistance, and wear resistance. 440C is slightly tougher and easier to sharpen. Like VG-10 vs. N690, these differences where 440C overpowers are tiny, but N690 is significantly more corrosion resistant and holds an edge much better.

N690 vs D2

Novice knifemakers love D2 steel for its affordable pricing and easy heat treatment. It’s a knife steel that’s much harder than N690. This higher hardness also comes with a more wear-resistant blade that keeps a sharp edge longer.

While D2 holds a better edge and is harder, N690 is much stronger and corrosion-resistant. D2 knives are known to deteriorate when maintenance is overlooked. Some even develop a patina over time, as carbon steels do.

Although cheaper and widely recognized in the knife industry, N690 makes a more versatile blade that’s often better for most people.

D2 G10 Folding Knife LKFDK10003

N690 vs M390

M390 wins on edge retention; N690 wins on price, toughness, and ease of sharpening. M390 is a powder-metallurgy super steel from the same Bohler family. It holds an edge roughly 2–3× longer than N690 and runs at 60–62 HRC.

However, it is harder to sharpen, less forgiving in humid environments, and significantly more expensive. N690 delivers 80% of the real-world cutting experience at a fraction of the cost. Choose M390 for elite performance; choose N690 for practical, balanced everyday use.

N690 vs 154CM

Nearly identical performance—N690 has better corrosion resistance; 154CM can push slightly higher hardness. Both are mid-to-upper tier stainless steels with comparable toughness and edge retention in daily use.

154CM’s higher carbide volume gives it a slight wear-resistance edge at optimal heat treatment, but N690’s 17.3% chromium and cobalt content make it more rust-resistant and easier to maintain. For most users, the difference is negligible; supply chain and brand preference usually decide this matchup.

N690 vs 14C28N

N690 holds an edge longer; 14C28N is tougher and easier to sharpen. 14C28N is Sandvik’s nitrogen-enhanced steel optimized for fine grain and low maintenance. It takes a razor edge with minimal effort but falls behind N690 in CATRA edge-retention tests.

N690’s higher carbon and cobalt content give it better wear resistance, while 14C28N’s lower carbide volume makes it tougher and less chip-prone under impact. Both resist corrosion well, though 14C28N has a slight edge in saltwater exposure.

N690 vs MagnaCut

MagnaCut outperforms N690 in every metric, but N690 wins on value. MagnaCut is a third-generation PM steel that nearly doubles N690’s toughness, matches its corrosion resistance, and holds an edge significantly longer—all at 62–64 HRC.

It also sharpens more easily than other super steels. The trade-off is price and specialized heat-treatment requirements.

N690 cannot compete on raw specs, but it delivers solid, reliable performance at roughly half the material cost. For mid-range production knives, N690 remains a smart, profitable choice.

Should you invest in N690 steel?

You can find N690 steel in EDC, survival, camping, hunting, and other outdoor knives. This steel is also commonly used for making surgical equipment.

With a wide range of applications in the knife industry, N690 has proven itself to be a reliable steel. The downside is the price, though it isn’t premium steel either. Nevertheless, the cost is justifiable considering its properties. Not many alternatives deliver consistent performance across all their properties.

If you’re looking for a balanced steel that won’t bring complaints, N690 is a good pick. For knife stores needing more budget-friendly options, 8Cr13MoV can be a better alternative. Although it can’t keep an edge as long as N690, 8Cr13MoV is as sharp, corrosion-resistant, and strong.

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Frequently asked questions

Is N690 steel hard to sharpen?

No. At 58–60 HRC, N690 is wear-resistant, but its cobalt content strengthens the matrix rather than forming excessive hard carbides. This means it sharpens more easily than steels like D2 or M390.

A standard whetstone is usually sufficient to restore a razor edge, making it a practical choice for users who want good edge retention without difficult maintenance.

Is N690 steel good for saltwater?

N690 offers excellent corrosion resistance thanks to its 17.3% chromium and 1.1% molybdenum content, so it handles humid and rainy environments very well.

However, it is not a marine-grade steel. For occasional saltwater exposure, it performs reliably if rinsed and dried promptly after use. For frequent or prolonged marine use, dedicated steels like H-1 or LC200N are better choices.

What is the best steel for kitchen knives?

There is no single “best” steel—it depends on the user. VG-10 is famous for taking an extremely fine edge, which is why it dominates Japanese kitchen knives.

N690 is an excellent alternative: it offers comparable edge retention to VG-10 but with better toughness (less prone to chipping on hard foods), superior corrosion resistance, and easier sharpening.

For home cooks or outdoor chefs who want low-maintenance reliability, N690 is often the more practical choice.

What knife steel is easiest to sharpen?

Among quality stainless steels, softer or lower-carbide steels like 14C28N and 440C are generally the easiest to sharpen.

N690 sits in the middle ground: it is significantly easier to sharpen than powder-metallurgy super steels like M390 or MagnaCut, but requires slightly more effort than 440C due to its cobalt-enhanced wear resistance.

For users seeking a balance between edge retention and sharpening ease, N690 is an ideal compromise that does not require diamond abrasives for routine maintenance.