PM 1.3253 (identical material as Böhler S390)

This high-alloy PM steel is currently the most wear-resistant steel in my range. It achieves a working hardness of 67hrc and due to the very high content of carbides, it has enormous wear resistance and edge retention. Due to the powder metallurgical production, it still offers relatively good toughness and cutting edge stability. It is true that this steel can be brought to a very high level of sharpness with the appropriate technology. However, this steel has its real advantages in the area of ​​"solid usage sharpness". This steel lasts longer than average. Even under the toughest conditions. This is why the 1.3253 is the right choice for knives that are to be used under the toughest conditions. or hardwood boards, hunting knives for breaking up ceilings encrusted with sand, tools for working hardwood that are not subjected to excessive bending and lever loads. E.g. heavy workhorse kitchen knives that are used all day long with strong impact on synthetic or hardwood boards, hunting knives, tools for working hardwood that are not subjected to excessive bending and lever loads. 

Provided that the angle of the primary bevel is appropriately blunt, the bevel can definitely be ground to 0.15mm without an excessive risk of breakouts being expected. The total sharpening angle of the secondary bevel should be between 36 and 40 degrees. 

The steel can be forged between 1100 and 900 degrees when fully heated. However, the steel must be annealed at high temperatures and with a long holding time. The blanks must therefore be protected from oxidation and decarburization, e.g. by means of hardening foil or the use of a protective gas or vacuum furnace. In addition, the forged blanks should always be made with sufficient oversize to be able to grind decarburized areas after soft annealing. 

Hardening is time-consuming and requires high hardening and tempering temperatures, controlled quenching conditions, protection against oxidation and decarburization and exact adherence to warm-up and holding times. If you do not have the necessary infrastructure and experience to harden PM steels, I recommend using the services of a hardening shop.

I myself do not offer a hardening service for the steels I sell. However, I can unreservedly recommend the hardening service of my colleague Jürgen Schanz. He works with a very experienced hardening shop that also carries out demanding heat treatments exactly according to customer requirements. If necessary, contact Jürgen Schanz directly via his contact form.