At a glance
- Plain carbon steel: almost nothing but iron, carbon and a little manganese.
- Hardens from a temperature easy to judge in a forge, and quenches in oil.
- Takes a keen edge and is easy to sharpen, but rusts if left wet.
- Pairs with 15N20 to make Damascus.
What is 1084 steel?
1084 is a carbon steel in the SAE/AISI numbering system. The "10" means a plain carbon steel with no deliberate alloying, and the "84" means about 0.84% carbon. That puts it close to the eutectoid point, the carbon level at which steel transforms most simply when heated and cooled.
Why is 1084 good for beginners?
- It forgives the forge. 1084 hardens from a temperature that is easy to judge in a coal or gas forge, close to the point where steel stops being magnetic.
- It hardens in oil. A fast commercial quench oil hardens it fully. Some steels need water or brine, which is more likely to crack a blade.
- It doesn't need long soaks. Alloyed and stainless steels need holding at temperature in a kiln; 1084 doesn't.
- It's cheap and easy to buy in the UK in bar sizes suited to knives.
Makers typically harden 1084 from around 800–830 °C, quench in a fast oil, then temper at around 180–220 °C for about an hour, twice. Your smith will show you how on a course. See hardening and quenching. Don't attempt a quench in oil without training and the right equipment.
1084 vs 1095 vs 80CrV2
| 1084 | 1095 | 80CrV2 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carbon | 0.80–0.93% | 0.90–1.03% | 0.75–0.85% |
| Other elements | Mn | Mn (lower) | Cr, V, Mn |
| Ease of heat treatment | Easiest | Needs a faster quench | Easy |
| Toughness | Good | Fair | Very good |
| Edge retention | Moderate | Moderate to good | Moderate |
1095 has a little more carbon, so it can be slightly harder, but it needs a very fast quench to harden fully. 80CrV2 adds a little chromium and vanadium, which refine the grain and make it tougher. All three rust and all three sharpen easily.
1084 in Damascus
1084 is the most common partner for 15N20 in pattern-welded Damascus. The two steels harden at similar temperatures, and after etching the 1084 goes dark while the nickel in 15N20 stays bright. See Damascus steel.
Looking after a 1084 knife
Wipe it dry after use and give it a thin coat of oil (camellia oil or food-safe mineral oil for a kitchen knife). It will build a grey patina, which is normal and slows rust. Never put it in a dishwasher.
Questions people ask
Is 1084 good for knives?
Yes. It is tough, takes a keen edge and is easy to sharpen. It does not hold an edge as long as some alloy and stainless steels, and it rusts if neglected.
Does 1084 steel rust?
Yes. It has no chromium to speak of, so it will rust if left wet. Dry and oil it after use; a patina forms with time and helps protect it.
What hardness is 1084 steel?
Knife makers usually temper 1084 to around 58–61 HRC. Fully hardened before tempering it can reach the mid 60s, but that is too brittle for a knife.
Is 1084 or 80CrV2 better?
80CrV2 is tougher, thanks to a little chromium and vanadium. 1084 is a touch simpler to heat treat. Both are excellent beginner steels; 80CrV2 is often chosen for bushcraft knives.
Can you forge 1084 in a gas or coal forge?
Yes. 1084 forges easily in either, which is why it is used on so many knife making courses.
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Related pages
Sources
- SAE J403: Chemical compositions of SAE carbon steels
- Knife Steel Nerds (Larrin Thomas): steel testing and heat treatment articles
- Machinery's Handbook (Industrial Press): heat treatment of carbon steels