Bohler N690 steel

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sethbradb

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Jan 8, 2017
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Looking for someone with experience with N690 steel. Preferably from Bradford knives. Wondering if I should just pay for the m390.

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N690 is a stainless melt alloy. Very stainless. Takes a very fine edge. Holds it a bit better than ATS-34, 154CM, or VG10. I'm partial to N690.

M390 is a PM alloy. Holds an edge significantly better than N690.
 
Have several Andre Thorburns with N690. Great hollow ground blades, take a razor edge and hold it well. I sharpened one on my edge pro and it was a pleasure to get it to insanely razor sharp and mirror polished, all in a reasonable amount of time. Hasn't chipped or rolled since. Just stropped it back to razor edge easily, if/when needed. Good to go in my book. Best flipping action I've been able to find regardless of price.:eek: Glides closed on it's own weight. Could not be smoother with no play & rock solid lockup. André's a true master of beautiful, functional customs. His attention to every detail is amazing in its perfection. And...you get the famous Thorburn TWACK, insuring the most solid lockup possible.
 
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I recently purchased this N690 Boker
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It was shaver-sharp from the box. Keenest edge I've seen. It has seen some duty since and is still poppin hairs.
 
I would add that N690 is said to be similar to VG10, a good mid-level SS that can be sharpened without too much effort. M390 in Bohler Uddeholm's own words is a very high carbon & chromium alloy that will thus hold a keen edge but be more challenging to sharpen than N690. I haven't had experience with any 'super steels' but find both VG10 & N690 to be a very good balance.
 
I own two BenchMade Pika's, I bought both in 2007, one is made from 440C and the other N690. I also own other brands that have ATS-34 (Paragon) and VG10 (SpyderCo,ColdSteel). I am extremely happy with the N690, compared to the others listed. I can't imagine wanting or needing anything more from stainless steel.
 
N690 is like VG-10 - very good steel M390 is another level as it's a powder steel.
 
Hi. I own these three steels on some of my folders. I am not a metallurgist and not an expert, just an hobbyist :). Based on my empirical experiences with these pocket knives of mine I use as “utility” EDC knives for random cutting tasks during the day (food prep, packaging materials, recreational wood working, carving, whittling, etc.), I can say N690 it’s a kind of upgraded 440C.

The thing I notice in my use is their edge retention is a tad better than with 440C, i.e.: the edges of N690 folders last a bit longer before getting dull. The sharpening of the two, with my Lansky system, it’s very comparable, I manage to get a great edge with the stones hones, no need to go for the diamond hones.

M390 it’s a different beast :): it holds an edge forever - with my type of EDC use – but it’s hard to sharpen. Even with the diamond stones on the Lansky it takes time and dedication. Sometimes I have lost my patience and it went into the powered sharpener (the grinder, as I call it) :D.

I would say it’s a kind of trade off. Personally, for my use I love the N690, it’s a steel I can manage to use with satisfaction and maintain with ease and fun. I think these super steels are great in industrial cutting/tooling applications, for a EDC knife they are “cool” and give something to chat about but, from my own experience and my own level of skills and maintenance equipment I use, sometimes I find them too “difficult” and not always very fun in the long run :).

My N690

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My 440C

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My M390

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My problem is that people are saying N690 is a budget steel. so all those expensive knives with N690 are worthless because of it, so people say its not worth buying them. wtf is wrong with people? i mean they wouldnt even notice the differences in most case's. i do agree that M390 is going to last much longer in edge retention. but still, all these super steel options are hurting consumers interpretations of prices of knives and steel types they have.

i like a lot of super steel like M390, but i like N690 and i dont let the steel type dictate my purchase if its a decent steel heat treated properly.
 
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If you have the choice, got for M390. N690 is awesome, definitely a great steel, but IMHO M390 is about as good as you can get for smaller EDC blades. Great all around steel! You will not be disappointed with either though!
 
I second the sentiments shared here... N690 is a fine steel and will serve you well. M390 is of course better in many categories, worse most obviously in ease of sharpening.
I too think that most of us enthusiasts/hobbyists are very much spoiled regarding blade steel. So much in fact that we sometimes forgo otherwise great knives.
Still on my wishlist is still an arno bernard knife and he uses n690 almost exclusively.. so that's fine with me.

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I have a Bradford G3 in n690, and am very happy with the steel. No issues so far, and it has pretty much replaced my folders as my EDC along with a traditional. Highly recommend the horizontal carry sheath, as it's very comfortable. I'm a bigger guy with a gut and the sheath doesn't dig into me whatsoever. Anyway, back to your question. As many have said, m390 is a higher carbon steel that will hold an edge for longer. However, n690 does pretty darn well with edge retention and you won't be disappointed with it. I really enjoy my little bradford, but as always YMMV.
 
Saying N690 is a budget steel is like saying a great American knife company suffers fit and finish issues every * single * time their name is mentioned when there are many more people that have plenty of their knives that are near perfect by mass production standards.

These types of blanket statements are seldom true and usually results in missing out on something great if not taken with a grain of salt. When someone spreads this misguided gospel every time an opportunity presents itself, it quickly starts to sound like a personal vendetta to slander rather than truth or even opinion, especially when you have personal experience otherwise. It makes it hard to trust or believe anything this preacher has to say even if they may have good info as well. When you find out they only have owned and experience with 2 knives but have commented hundreds of times it makes it even harder to swallow.

Whew. Sometimes it's good to just let things go and move on.
 
My experience with N690 is an extrema ratio BF1CT
It is a very good steel IMO
I think I prefer it over s30v even if I think it is harder to sharpen
 
I'm actually interested in the Viper Ten that comes in n690. But i have my reservations on getting n690 at that price range
 
I've got a couple of knives in Bohler N690. It's very easy to sharpen to a very fine edge (even a mirror polish). Performs about the same as VG-10, ATS-34, or 154 CM.

In many ways, it reminds me of D2 in terms of how easy it is to put a hair-popping edge on it. But unlike D2, it's very corrosion resistant. In my view, D2 is "kinda sorta stainless" whereas N690 seems to be particularly stain resistant.

The edge doesn't last as long as something like CPM S35VN or M390. But on a small folder I don't really care. I'm not cutting my way out of a downed Blackhawk or surviving winter in the Yukon with a 2.5" liner lock (lol). With a small folder for EDC use, I like a very keen edge. If it dulls, I'll sharpen it when I get home.
 
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