Below is heat-treating data you can read online or download for later use. It covers stainless steel, high-carbon steel and tool steel. Find the grade you’re working with and open its data sheet.
Stainless steel
High-carbon steel
Tool steel
Data sheets are courtesy of New Jersey Steel Baron (NJSB).
Shop steel & heat-treating supplies
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1084 High Carbon Steel
Price range: $7.20 through $65.00 Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page -
AEB-L Stainless Steel
Price range: $9.60 through $48.00 Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page -
15N20 High Carbon Steel
Price range: $8.05 through $22.50 Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page -
80CRV2 High Carbon Steel
Price range: $9.10 through $20.56 Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page -
Nitro-V Stainless Steel
Price range: $11.50 through $64.00 Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page -
1095 Carbon Steel
Price range: $8.90 through $24.43 Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page -
52100 High Carbon Steel
Price range: $8.50 through $35.00 Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page -
CPM Magnacut
Price range: $28.86 through $74.00 Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page
Frequently asked questions
What does a heat-treat data sheet tell me?
It gives the maker’s recommended process for that specific steel — normalizing and thermal-cycling temperatures, austenitizing (hardening) temperature and soak time, quench medium, and tempering temperatures to reach a target hardness. Following the sheet for your exact grade is the key to a properly hardened blade.
Do I need a kiln to heat treat knife steel?
For simple carbon steels like 1084 you can get results with a forge and good technique. For stainless and alloy steels that need precise temperatures and soak times, a temperature-controlled kiln — like the Evenheat kilns we stock — gives far more consistent, repeatable results.
Why does each steel have a different heat-treat recipe?
Alloy content changes how a steel hardens. Stainless and high-alloy steels need higher, tightly controlled austenitizing temperatures and often plate quenching, while simple carbon steels harden at lower temperatures with an oil quench. Using the wrong recipe leaves the blade soft or brittle.
What steels does Nexus Grinders carry?
We stock high-carbon, stainless and tool steels for knife making — grades such as 1075, 1084, 1095, 80CrV2, 15N20, 52100, AEB-L, Nitro-V and several CPM steels. Browse the steel categories above to see current stock.