Types of Steel Used in Xinzuo Knives: 10Cr15CoMoV Chinese VG10 Steel

Selecting the right knives for both you and your kitchen is essential, but it’s easier said than done, especially if you’re not sure of the different factors that need to be considered and scrutinized. Of course, there are many properties of knives that ought to be considered, ranging from the obvious – like purpose – to the technical – such as the method of manufacturing and the materials used. Today, we want to explore the latter.

The exact chemical compounds that are used to make a knife blade directly influence the quality and utility of the knife. However, it’s not just about what is used to make the knife – equally as important is how the knife is made. When it comes to high-quality kitchen knives, the difference between good and poor practice in knife manufacturing can separate a good knife from a bad knife, and it’ll also separate a good knife from and a great knife.

Today, we’re focusing on 10Cr15CoMoV Chinese VG10 Steel, the so-called Chinese version of the popular and renowned Japanese VG10 steel. First, we’ll explore why some steels are better than others before discussing the relative importance of the chemical composition of steel versus high-quality treatment during manufacturing. Then, we’ll get into the nitty gritty of the precise composition of 10Cr15CoMoV Chinese VG10 Steel and explore the properties that make it such a high-quality material.

What Sets Different Types of Steel Apart?

Different types of steel are made from different chemical compounds and different combinations thereof. Some of these compounds differ in terms of quality and cost, while others differ more with regards to their subsequent properties. Indeed, the presence of specific compounds on their own will lead directly to the steel having a specific property, while in other cases, it may be the combination of more than one compound that results in a steel having a particular property. It can get complicated, at times, and it really all comes down to the chemical compounds in question.

However, as we briefly mentioned earlier, the presence (or absence) of chemical compounds doesn’t mean that the final product of steel will necessarily have guaranteed properties. For instance, merely having a high carbon content doesn’t automatically result in exceptional strength. There are other factors at play, including things like the additional chemical compounds that are present, as well as, very importantly, the methods of treatment and manufacturing that are used during production.

So, let’s consider the importance of chemical composition versus treatment of the compounds in question.

Chemical Composition of Steel Versus the Importance of High-Quality Treatment

Ultimately, the presence of the right high-quality chemical compounds in steel is but one thing to consider – arguably equally as important, some may assert, is the way in which the materials are treated. It’s not just about being careful – it’s about knowing what methods should be used with specific materials and combinations of chemical compounds.

Appropriate methods of heat treatment are right at the top of the list when it comes to using proper manufacturing techniques of steel blades. It’s quite complicated when you get into the specifics, and the precise methods differ from one type of steel to the next, but it really comes down to heating and cooling the steel very precisely. That is, heating it up to a very specific temperature, leaving it there for a certain amount of time, cooling it down to a specific temperature, and tempering it according to what you’re wanting to do. At the end of the day, the method of treatment needs to be followed precisely, and if it isn’t – if it’s heated too much, too quickly, not for long enough, or if the temperature isn’t monitored or maintained properly – you risk jeopardizing the quality of the steel.

Essentially, you could have the best possible selection and combination of chemical compounds, but if they’re not handled with care and treated properly and precisely, you won’t be able to achieve great quality. So, the chemical compound of the steel in question can only boast high quality if it’s also treated properly.

That’s why Xinzuo knives offer the quality that they do – they’re not only focusing on creating a steel that’s made up of the best combination of chemical compounds, but they are also focused on ensuring that the correct manufacturing processes are followed. By doing this, they’re able to achieve a steel that is equal in quality, if not better, than authentic Japanese VG10 Steel.

As Chef Panko, a trusted industry professional, asserts, Xinzuo knives "stand out as one of the select few brands that have impressed me with their quality control and precise heat treatment".

So, with that, let’s get into what 10Cr15CoMoV Chinese VG10 Steel really is.

Chemical Composition: What is 10Cr15CoMoV Chinese VG10 Steel?

We’ve spoken a lot about the importance of the make up of different types of steels and the fact that there are many different chemical compounds that, when combined, come to form steels that have varying properties and, subsequently, purposes. So, let’s explore exactly what 10Cr15CoMoV Chinese VG10 Steel is.

First, we’re going to give you an overview of 10Cr15CoMoV Chinese VG Steel, then we’ll list the exact chemical composition of the steel in question, and finally, we’re going to tell you about its properties.

What is 10Cr15CoMoV Chinese VG10 Steel?

There’s no arguing that 10Cr15CoMov Chinese VG10 Steel is a mouthful of a name, but what does it mean?

Well, at a glance, the name is a reference to the main chemical compounds that are present in this type of steel, but translating this is a little more complicated than that. Normally, the letters and numbers refer to the main alloying element in the steel, the approximate amount of that element that’s present in the steel, as well as the approximate carbon content (which is expressed in hundredths of one percent).

So, just from the name, we ca tell that this steel contains 15% Chromium, 1% Carbon, and an unspecified amount of Cobalt, among other things. But, what about the specifics?

The Chemical Composition of 10Cr15CoMoV Chinese VG10 Steel

We’ve mentioned Chromium, Carbon, and Cobalt, three of the main components of the steel, but there are more chemicals that make up 10Cr14CoMoV stainless steel. Here is the full list of chemical compounds.

• Chromium: Chromium comprises of 15.5% of the steel in question. Chromium contributes to the toughness and hardness of the steel, and it’s also what allows it to be designated “stainless”.
• Cobalt: Cobalt is 1.5% of 10Cr15CoMoV Chinese VG10 Steel. It helps with resistance to rust, and it also contributes to the fact that it receives heat treatment fairly well, making it stronger.
• Molybdenum: Less well known, Molybdenum accounts for 1.2% of the steel’s composition. It allows the steel to be more easily workable by machine and it also helps to harden during the manufacturing process.
• Carbon: Carbon makes up 1.05% of total steel composition, and it contributes to its edge retention and resistance to pressure and wear. But most of all, it’s known for adding hardness.
• Manganese: Next up is Manganese which contributes 0.5% to the steel. It helps to harden the blade, but if too much is added (and if the overall balance is off), it can make the steel brittle. So, it’s essential that the right amount is added.
• Vanadium: Vanadium is known for adding an element of toughness, wear resistance, and resistance to corrosion. It contributes to 0.3% of the total composition of 10Cr15CoMoV.
• Phosphorus: Making up only 0.03%, Phosphorus makes the steel stronger, and it also makes it more workable with regards to heat retention treatments.

All of these specific chemicals contribute different things to the steel, but it’s essential to remember, as we mentioned earlier, that the balance of all these compounds is really important to get right. If too much or too little is added, it can completely negate the positive effect that the chemical can have.

So, with this in mind, let’s discuss the properties of 10Cr15CoMoV Chinese VG10 Steel that make it a great option for knife blades and why Xinzuo uses it in their high-quality kitchen knives.

Properties of 10Cr15CoMoV Chinese V10 Steel

It’s time to get into what really matters at the end of the day – the properties of the steel in question. That is, what can you expect from 10Cr15CoMoV steel?

We’re going to reiterate, however, that these properties are only present when chemical compounds and the steel more generally is manufactured and treated properly, most importantly, in terms of heat treatment.

With that in mind, here are the most prominent (and attractive) properties of a well-made 10Cr15CoMoV Chinese VG10 Steel.

• Toughness: Toughness doesn’t equate to hardness, although a certain degree of hardness is required for steel to be tough. When a blade is tough, it means that it’s hard enough to be strong, but not so hard that it is at risk of chipping easily. It maintains a fair amount of resistance to pressure and impact, so a knife made from 10Cr15CoMoV Chinese VG10 Steel ought to be appropriate for tough jobs.
• Hardness: 10Cr15CoMoV Chinese VG10 Steel is generally considered to be appropriately hard – not too hard, not too soft – and his is achieved as a result of careful and precise heat treatment.
• Easy to Sharpen: The composition of the steel makes it pretty easy to hone and sharp, which is a great selling point.
• Great Edge Retention: Not only is this steel easy to sharpen, but it also boasts great edge retention, which means it stays sharp for longer and doesn’t need t be sharpened very often.
• Resistant to Wear: One of the key elements of 10Cr15CoMoV Chinese VG10 Steel is that it has a great ability to withstand wear and tear. This is due to the way in which the elements in the alloy are cleverly blended by means of specific blending techniques and heat retention methods.
• Corrosion Resistance: Since it has a high Chromium content, 10Cr15CoMoV Chinese VG10 Steel is notoriously resistant to corrosion, although these blades still need to be properly dried and looked after, as with any kind of steel.

Indeed, it’s the combination of the chemical compounds, the precise amounts of each chemical compound, and the method used to blend the compounds that make 10Cr15CoMoV Chinese VG10 Steel the high-quality material that it is.

Final Thoughts on 10Cr15CoMoV Chinese VG10 Steel

With a thorough understanding of what goes into a high-quality steel, there’s no question as to why Xinzuo makes their knives using 10Cr15CoMoV Chinese V10 Steel. Not only is it made using a very specific combination of chemical compounds that ensures the perfect amount of hardness, toughness, edge retention, and more, but it’s also produced using precise, expert methods of manufacturing.

Browse our selection of Xinzuo knives made from 10Cr15CoMoV Chinese VG10 Steel today.