BÖHLER M390

Bohler M390 is one of the best knife steels in the world today. Knives made of M390 belong to the premium segment.

This steel is produced by Bohler-Uddeholm Metallurgical Group using the unique 3rd generation Microclean® powder technology, which remains the company's best kept secret and cannot be matched by competitors. Minute, specially prepared steel particles atomized by an atomizer are sintered under high pressure. The steel produced with this technology is characterized by the highest homogeneity of the structure and stability of properties.

In the case of M390, this means the highest corrosion resistance, perhaps the best for steels with carbon content above 1.9%, as well as excellent strength, wear resistance, chipping resistance and excellent controlled cutting. It's obvious why M390 blades are so highly regarded.

The working hardness of M390 can vary between 59 and 66 HRC, but the optimum hardness for working knives is 61-63 HRC.

At this hardness, the steel develops all its useful properties, has excellent strength and edge retention, and yet is relatively easy to sharpen.

M390 is very demanding in terms of heat treatment: quenching in a protected environment (nitrogen or vacuum) and accurate adherence to the technology - only in this way can be realized all its properties. Any mistake can lead to the spoilage of the knife.

It is worth to report separately about sharpening. Microclean® powder technology makes it possible to distribute carbides as evenly as possible in the steel structure without forming lumps.

This means that the blade has homogeneous hardness values at every point, and there are no large carbides that cause difficulties during sharpening and can simply be torn out if an unsuitable sharpening tool is used.

Thus, knives made of M390 can be sharpened quite well even at hardnesses of about 62-63 HRC, where it is much more difficult to work with knives made of simpler steels. However, in the case of M390, the sharpness of the cutting edge is retained for a very long time.

Bohler M390 is suitable for absolutely all types of knives, from small EDC to large chef. The only limitations to its use can only be its high price, which is especially noticeable for large blades, and the complexity of the heat treatment.

PREFERENCES:
Best balance of useful properties
High corrosion resistance. Practically maintenance free
Very high wear resistance
Resistance to French fries
Resistance to breakage
Easy to sharpen

DISADVANTAGES:
High price