Knife steel

1075 knife steel

A lean, tough high-carbon steel prized for swords, machetes, and hard-use choppers, offering outstanding shock resistance at the cost of some edge retention compared to higher-carbon steels.

Also known as

AISI 1075
SAE 1075

At a glance

How 1075 behaves

The four meters are relative to the rest of the database. Composition is the published nominal analysis, not a mill certificate for your bar.

Working properties

Toughness: 5 / 5
Edge retention: 2 / 5
Corrosion resistance: 1 / 5
Ease of grinding: 5 / 5

Composition: Carbon (C)0.70–0.80%
Manganese (Mn)0.40–0.70%
Best uses: A favorite for swords, machetes, axes, and other hard-use tools where surviving impact matters more than long edge retention. If you are comparing it against similar simple carbon steels, browse the full Knife Steel Database, and see the Heat Treating Guide for the full stage-by-stage process.
Sources: Standard AISI 1075 specification
New Jersey Steel Baron 1075HR heat treat data
Alpha Knife Supply 1075 Carbon Steel product page.

At the bench

What each property means for this steel

Open the property you are worried about. Every note is written for the blade in your hand, not for a spec sheet.

Toughness

Among the toughest of the simple high-carbon steels, which is why it is the go-to choice for swords, machetes, and other blades that need to survive hard impacts without chipping or snapping.

Edge retention

Lower carbon content than 1084 or 1095 means fewer carbides and correspondingly modest wear resistance; expect to touch up the edge more often on demanding use.

Corrosion resistance

No chromium and no meaningful corrosion resistance. Needs regular oiling and drying like any plain carbon steel.

Grinding and machinability

Very easy to grind and forge, with a wide, forgiving heat-treat window that makes it a common recommendation for first-time bladesmiths.

Knife steel heat treatment in a working knife shop — Quench and temper decide whether 1075 gives you the numbers above.

The full reference

More on 1075

1075 is a lean, high-toughness carbon steel long favored for swords, machetes, and other hard-use blades where absorbing impact matters more than holding a razor edge for months. With less carbon and manganese than 1084, it demands a faster-quenching oil to reach full hardness, but rewards that extra care with exceptional resilience against chipping and bending.

1075 FAQ

Is 1075 good for swords and machetes?

Yes, it is one of the most commonly recommended steels for swords, machetes, and other large blades that need to survive hard impacts without chipping or snapping.

Machete blank and a long sword blank with tang lying flat on a padded charcoal workshop bench by a window

Is 1075 stainless?

No, it is a plain carbon steel with no chromium and needs regular oiling and drying to prevent rust.

Gloved hand wiping a cloth along a long carbon-steel blade lying on a nonslip mat, handle held in a foam block

Is 1075 hard to sharpen or grind?

No, it is easy to work with standard belts and stones. See the full grinding and sharpening guide.

Hands drawing a wood-handled knife across a wet bench stone in a black nonslip holder, water bowl beside it

How does 1075 compare to 1084?

1075 is tougher, making it the better choice for swords and choppers, while 1084 hardens more reliably in ordinary shop oil. See the full breakdown: 1075 vs 1084.

Long and short flat steel bars and a rough curved blade blank resting on timber blocks on a dark workshop bench.

Head to head

Compare steel data for 1075

Every matchup 1075 appears in, dimension by dimension.

Browse the steel database

Keep reading

Guides that use this steel

Grind 1075 on a machine that holds still

Whatever the steel, the grind is only as flat as the platen behind it. I machine the parts, hand-assemble and test Torus grinders in Sterling, Illinois.

See the whole shop

Nova 2×72 Aluminum Belt Grinder
Current dual-axis platform with a fiber-laser-cut 6061 chassis and single-knob tracking.
Starts at$1,395View
Corvus Edition · Only 14 remain.
Torus Nebula 2x72 - Corvus Edition
Current dual-axis platform with a steel chassis, more mass and less vibration.
Starts at$1,495View
Torus 2×72 Classic Aluminum Belt Grinder
Prior-design aluminum chassis, 90-degree tilt and 1.5-inch tooling arms.
- Machined 6061 aluminum chassis with stainless, plated Grade 8 and alloy shoulder-bolt hardware
- 304 stainless ratchet belt tensioner and a 90-degree tilt: loosen the handle, pull the pin
- Standard 1.5-inch tooling arms, deep slack platen and 4-inch drive wheel included
Starts at$1,095View