Is it worth It? N690co Steel?

J

James J

Joined
Apr 25, 2014
Messages
63
So there is this beautiful looking folding knife that I absolutely love but it is made of N690co steel and I have never heard of it before. The folding knife is $190 is it worth it?
And a bit of information on the N690co steel will be heavily appreciated.
Cheers
James
 
It's a great steel. A lot like vg10 but takes a finer edge. very easy to sharpen, highly stainless, and a mean cutter. I have it on several fixed blades and really dig it.
 
James,
Bohler steel is good stuff. According to various threads it's pretty similar to VG-10. You don't say what knife has it that you are looking at, so the question of worth is irrelevant for the most part. Only you can decide if it is "worth" the price of admission. I'd do some searching on the forums to see what others have previously discussed, there is 15 years + worth of data on the forums, a wealth of archived information, experience, and opinion. Good luck.
 
Picked up a Spyderco Squeak with this steel, seems like a pretty decent steel, reminds me of the co-pilot I had years back. Would get recommend it. Believe it's made in Austria. Gary
 
I have a Boker and a Fox knife in this steel and like it very much. As already said, it behaves a lot like VG-10, with some 154CM thrown in for good measure. Boker makes a lot of knives with this steel, going so far as to name it N690Bo.
 
What I have read it's that is an evolution of 440c, used in europe, specifically Germany.
440c with a plus on cobalt, so it's called N690co.
N695 is equal to 440c, and N690co it's 440c plus cobalt.
I have knives in both steels.

I have a folding hunter from fox with n690c and agree it takes great edge and it's easy to sharpen.
About comparing it to 154cm, I have a few with such steel, and agree it's similar.
Don't own any vg10, the only knives I have contact with such steel is spyderco, and haven't bought anyone, just s30v, so can't say.

Finally, as stated above, you can´t put a price tag on it unless you give us more information, like brand, model, or is it custom, pics, etc.
The steel is above average, being average aus8 or 440c, or 420HC.
If you take the bar a notch up, then is decent, being decent vg10.

there is a thread in bf right know called "junk steel", where the op asks about wich steel you won't buy just based in the steel.
Lots of info an comparisons there.
 
The steel is from germany, Bohler, but it's used across the world.
"used in europe" was a poor choice of words.
Like Sandvik, from nother europe, denmark? suecia? don't remember, but used across the world.
"originated" or "developed" are better choices.
 
It's a very good steel, very popular over in Europe.
 
I believe Todd Begg uses this steel in his Bodegas so I'm sure is good ;-)
 
I only have one fixed blade made from it but like it quite a bit. Came crazy sharp and still haven't had to sharpen and it's push through paper sharp. Used it to cape,fillet meat from bone, and take talo off deer. As of now like this steel better than 154cm.

Sorry steel thinking of for the fixed blade is n680. But really like it. i don't know how comparable the wto are to each other. N680 from what i hear is very corrosion and wear resisant. I think either steel will not be bad choice though.
 
Last edited:
I like it a lot because it gives respectable performance in all areas, and I find it easy to sharpen. I would look at it as a plus, but not a make/break either way. If you like the knife itself, then pull the trigger for sure as it's a good daily usage steel IMO.
 
N690 is a good stainless steel, depending on the knife you will not regret it. And the steel comes from Austria, not Germany.
 
I have the Boker Haddock in this steel. For those who have never seen this knife; the blade is deep hollow ground with an extremely thin cutting edge. I have cut very dense/hard materials and it hasn't chipped or deformed significantly. Really opened my eyes to this steel. I'd buy it again with confidence. Oh, it takes a really nice polish too.
 
N690 is a great steel. Only had one knife in it and it already became a favorite steel. Takes a killer polish without much effort, and is pretty wear resistant. If I ever get a chance to get a knife in N690 on a good deal I won't pass it up.
 
Bohler N690 stainless steel is a very good all around conventional steel used a lot in Europe. Fox Knives uses N690CO and Boker Knives has its N690BO. Fox uses it in almost all of its knives made in Italy. Wish Boker would use it more than 440C and AUS-8. Commonly compared to VG-10 and 154CM.

Here's how Bohler describes N690:

"Our best conventional knife steel. Great value in a corrosion resistant knife steel with excellent edge holding capabilities. Additions of chromium and vanadium enhance edge holding capability, while cobalt and carbon help to retain high hardness. Hardens and tempers to 57-59 HRC and 60-62 HRC with deep freeze. For maximum toughness, harden and temper to 57-59 HRC. For maximum wear resistance, harden and temper to 60-62 HRC."​

 
I've had numerous knives in this steel; mostly productions and one custom. All have performed beyond my expectations. :thumbup:
 
Last edited:
I'll toss in a 'thumbs up' for N690Co as used by Spyderco on their Volpe folder. It takes a very fine edge and tends to stay that way. It sharpens nicely on conventional stones and as mentioned above, takes a nice polish.

When all is done and said, I consider N690Co to be a selling point on a knife. JMO
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top