When it comes to choosing a steel for a knife, there are many options on the market. Two popular choices are 7Cr17MoV and 1075. While both offer unique benefits, there are also differences that are worth exploring in greater detail.

Here is the short answer:

7Cr17MoV and 1075 both offer excellent edge retention and durability. However, 7Cr17MoV is more corrosion-resistant and easier to sharpen, while 1075 is known for its toughness and overall resistance to wear.

Now that we have looked at the short answer, we cna look closer at each steel, their best uses, how they compare in-depth, and what we ha found to be the best knives that use each steel.

Deep dive on 7Cr17MoV

7Cr17MoV is a popular stainless steel that is often used in knife production. This steel is more popular for use in budget knives as it is cheap to manufacture. However, 7Cr17MoV is a softer steel that does not hold an edge very well, However, it is easy to resharpen. 7Cr17MoV’s steel composition is as follows:

– 0.7% carbon

– 17% chromium

– 1.3% molybdenum

– 0.1% vanadium

– 0.08% phosphorus

– 0.03% sulfur

These materials work together to create a steel that is both durable and corrosion-resistant. 7Cr17MoV is known for its ease of sharpening, which makes it an excellent choice for users looking for a steel that can maintain a sharp edge without much effort.

Deep dive on 1075

1075 is a high-quality steel that is often used in the production of knives and other cutting tools. It is a steel known best for its toughness and edge retention, however, it is lacking in the area of corrosion resistance. 1075’s steel composition is as follows:

– 0.75% carbon

– 0.6% manganese

– 0.5% chromium

– 0.05% phosphorus

– 0.05% sulfur

1075 high carbon content makes it one of the toughest steels on the market. It is also very resistant to wear, which makes it an excellent choice for cutting and slicing tasks. However, due to its high carbon content, 1075 is not as corrosion-resistant as 7Cr17MoV and requires more maintenance to prevent rust and corrosion.

7Cr17MoV versus 1075

When choosing between 7Cr17MoV and 1075, it’s important to consider the specific use case for the knife. Both steels offer excellent durability and edge retention, but they differ in other important ways.

7Cr17MoV is a better choice for those who prioritize corrosion resistance and ease of sharpening. It is a stainless steel that is highly resistant to rust and can maintain a sharp edge with minimal effort. This makes it an excellent choice for knives that will be used in wet or humid environments or that will be exposed to corrosive materials.

On the other hand, 1075 is a better choice for those who prioritize toughness and overall resistance to wear. It is an excellent choice for knives that will be used for cutting and slicing tasks, where a tough and durable steel is necessary. However, due to its high carbon content, 1075 requires more maintenance to prevent rust and corrosion.

Best knives in each steel

Now that we have looked closer at each steel, how they compare, and what their best uses are, we can look at our the best knives in each steel from our research.

Gerber EXO-MOD Drop Point (7cr17MoV)

The Gerber EXO-MOD Drop Point is a skeletonized fixed-blade hunting knife that is very versatile. This knife has an orange handle to ensure you never lose it in the field, has a 3.75-inch 7Cr17 MoV blade, has an overall length of 8.56 inches, and weighs a mere 2.6 ounces. If you want an affordable lightweight hunting knife, this might be the knife for you.

Check out this knife here (link to Amazon)

Condor Tool & Knife Blue Havoc Knife (1075)

The Blue Havoc knife is a very simple fixed-blade knife that works great for anything you could need a knife for. This knife has a 5.5-inch blade, is 10 inches overall, has a 0.2-inch thick spine, and weighs 14.4 ounces.If you want a heavy duty bushcraft knife this is a knife you should look at.

Check out this knife here (link to Amazon)

Conclusion

Overall, the choice between 7Cr17MoV and 1075 will depend on the specific use case for the knife. If corrosion resistance and ease of sharpening are a top priority, 7Cr17MoV is the better choice. If toughness and overall wear resistance are more important, 1075 is the way to go.