52100 High Carbon Knife Steel

 

Each Nordquist Designs knife is crafted from 52100 high carbon steel. Originally developed for bearings and other ware items, 52100 is one of the premier kitchen cutlery steels, known for good edge retention and toughness while still sharpening easily. Each of my knives are heat treated in house using my own receipt for a hardness of 60-61 Rockwell C. You may notice small dots on your knife, almost like pin pricks, this is where I have tested the hardness of your knife to verify its hardness after the initial quench and temper!