PGK

German PGK steel from Lohmann has revolutionized the way we think about the possibilities of knife steels.

When PGK entered the Russian mass-produced knife market in 2016, it practically blew it up.
Kizlyar Supreme was one of the first Russian factories to start producing knives from PGK, and even in the testing phase we were surprised by its wear resistance.

Later, at the request of Lohmann factory representatives, we conducted serious tests with this steel: We checked the optimal technologies for heat and mechanical treatment, as well as sharpening angles. And now we have the opportunity to share our results with you.

From the chemical composition alone, it is clear that PGK is a very difficult steel. 1.2% carbon and a high content of other alloying elements such as molybdenum, vanadium and tungsten make PGK very wear resistant and strong. It outperforms most expensive powder steels in terms of edge retention and cut quality. The working hardness range for PGK is between 59 and 65 HRC, although we consider the optimum hardness for blades to be 62-63 HRC.

At this hardness, the steel shows all its useful properties, maintains the sharpness of the cutting edge and does not become brittle.

Due to its very high wear resistance, sharpening Lohmann PGK knives requires some time and the right choice of abrasives. We recommend the use of modern diamond grit grinding tools and ceramics.

PGK has another property that is important to know.
By choosing a cutting angle of 40 degrees (20 per side) we get excellent durability. When testing such a blade, we have chopped bones and opened cans without even the slightest damage to the blade.

If we want to highlight the cutting properties of the steel, it is very important to choose an angle of about 30 degrees (15 per side). In this case, the sharpness will remain much longer, and the quality of the cut will surprise even spoiled gourmets.

PGK has some corrosion resistance, but it can not be called stainless steel. In practice, we recommend wiping the knife dry after moisture or cutting acidic foods (fruit, onions, etc.). Once or twice a month it is worth treating the knife with gun lubricant.

For those who value really high cutting quality and long-lasting sharpness, we recommend Lohmann PGK. This steel is ideal for knives of any size and type.

ADVANTAGES:
Phenomenal cutting quality
High breaking strength
Excellent wear resistance and cutting durability

DISADVANTAGES:
Demanding in terms of sharpening tool selection
Requires some maintenance in terms of corrosion.