Knives come in different shapes and sizes, and one of the most important factors to consider when selecting a knife is the type of steel it’s made of. In this article, we’ll be comparing 7Cr17MoV and 52100 steel, two popular steels used in the production of knives to see which one is better and why.

Here is the short answer:

7Cr17MoV is a relatively inexpensive steel that is easy to sharpen and has good corrosion resistance, while 52100 is a high carbon steel with excellent hardness and wear resistance, but has poor corrosion resistance.

Now that we have looked at the short answer, we can look closer at each steel, their components, their best uses, how they compare in-depth, and what our favorite knives at Bladefun are in each steel.

Deep dive on 7Cr17MoV

7Cr17MoV is a Chinese-made stainless steel that is commonly used in the production of budget knives. 7Cr17MoV is not known for being the toughest or having the best edge retention but it does have good corrosion resistance. Its steel composition is as follows:

– 0.7% carbon

– 17% chromium

– 1.3% molybdenum

– 0.1% vanadium

– 0.17% silicon

– 1% manganese

These elements work together to create a steel that is easy to sharpen and has good corrosion resistance. However, its low carbon content means that it has limited edge retention and may not hold up well to heavy use.

Deep dive on 52100

52100 steel, also known as ball-bearing steel, is a high carbon steel commonly used in producing high-end knives. The downside to 52100 is that it lacks corrosion resistance. Its steel composition is as follows:

– 1% carbon

– 1.5% chromium

– 0.25% molybdenum

– 0.1% vanadium

This steel is known for its exceptional hardness, wear resistance, and edge retention. Due to high wear resistance and toughness this steel is ideal for bushcrafting as long as you keep it dry.

7Cr17MoV versus 52100

When it comes to comparing 7Cr17MoV and 52100, the choice will ultimately depend on your intended use for the knife. If you’re looking for an affordable knife that is easy to sharpen and has good corrosion resistance, 7Cr17MoV is a good choice. However, if you need a knife that can withstand heavy use and maintain its edge over time, 52100 is the better option.

While 7Cr17MoV has good corrosion resistance, it is not as hard or wear-resistant as 52100. This means it may not hold up as well under heavy use or abuse. On the other hand, 52100 has excellent hardness and edge retention but is susceptible to corrosion, which can be particularly problematic in wet or humid environments.

Our favorite knives in each steel

Now that we have looked in-depth at each steel and how the steels compare, we can look at what we at Bladefun have found to be the best knives in each steel.

Cold Steel Drop Forged Fixed blade (52100)

The Drop Forged Fixed Blade knife is a heavy and durable bushcraft knife that will never fail you in the field. This knife has an 8-inch blade, is nearly a ¼ of an inch thick, has a 5-inch handle, and weighs 18 ounces. If you want a heavy-duty bushcraft and survival knife that will never break on you, this is the knife for you. 

Check out this knife here (link to Amazon)

Gerber EXO-MOD Drop Point (7cr17MoV)

The Gerber EXO-MOD Drop Point is a lightweight skeletonized fixed-blade hunting knife. This knife has an orange handle for high visibility, a 3.75-inch drop point blade, an overall length of 8.56 inches, and weighs a mere 2.6 ounces. If you want an affordable lightweight hunting knife, this is a knife you should look at.

Check out this knife here (link to Amazon)

Conclusion

The choice between the two steels depends on what your intended use for the knife is. If you want a knife steel with good wear resistance and is tough you should look at 52100. If you want a knife steel that is highly corrosion resistant and easy to sharpen you should go with 7Cr17MoV