80CrV2
80CrV2 is a simple, low-alloy high-carbon steel closely related to 5160 and 1080, with a small vanadium addition that refines grain size and adds a bit of wear resistance. It has become a favorite among bladesmiths for forged knives because it is forgiving to heat treat, hard to overheat, and delivers an excellent toughness-to-hardness balance for choppers and hard-use fixed blades.
80CrV2 FAQ
Is 80CrV2 stainless?
No, it is a plain low-alloy tool steel and needs the same regular oiling and drying as any carbon steel.
Is 80CrV2 hard to sharpen or grind?
No, it is one of the easiest steels in this database to work with. See the full grinding and sharpening guide.
How does 80CrV2 compare to 1084?
The two are nearly interchangeable in practical use, with 80CrV2’s vanadium addition offering a small extra margin of forgiveness against forging mistakes. See the full breakdown: 80CrV2 vs 1084.
Is 80CrV2 a good beginner steel?
Yes, it is widely recommended alongside 1084 as one of the best starting steels for new bladesmiths, forgiving of both forging technique and heat treatment.
Also known as: 80CrV2, 1.2235
Composition
| Carbon (C) | 0.80% |
| Chromium (Cr) | 0.50% |
| Manganese (Mn) | 0.40% |
| Vanadium (V) | 0.20% |
Properties
| Property | Rating | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Toughness | ★★★★☆ | Excellent for a simple high-carbon steel. The vanadium addition refines grain size compared to plain steels like 1080 or 1084, giving it very good toughness that makes it a popular choice for choppers, camp knives, and swords. |
| Edge Retention | ★★☆☆☆ | Modest compared to alloy tool steels or stainless PM steels, in line with other simple high-carbon steels. It sharpens very easily and takes a keen edge, but will need more frequent touch-ups under hard use than higher-carbide steels. |
| Corrosion Resistance | ★☆☆☆☆ | Not stainless and not intended to be. Like other simple carbon steels, it will rust without an applied finish or regular oiling and drying. |
| Machinability / Grinding | ★★★★★ | Very easy to grind, similar to other simple high-carbon steels like 1084 and 5160. A good choice for makers who want fast, low-effort stock removal or forging. |
Heat Treatment
Austenitize at approximately 1525 F, holding 10-20 minutes depending on stock thickness (for forge heat treating, heat to just past nonmagnetic and no hotter). The steel is difficult to overheat thanks to its carbon and vanadium balance, making it forgiving for less precise setups. Quench in a medium-speed oil (fast oils also work well with no toughness penalty observed). Temper twice, 2 hours each cycle, in the 300-450 F range; 350-400 F is the recommended sweet spot for most knives, yielding roughly 60-61 HRC with a strong toughness-hardness balance. Avoid tempering above 450 F, which risks tempered martensite embrittlement.
Best Uses
A go-to steel for forged choppers, camp knives, and other hard-use blades where toughness and forgiving heat treatment matter more than edge retention or corrosion resistance. Widely used in the bladesmithing and ABS community.
Sources: Larrin Thomas, How to Heat Treat 80CrV2, Knife Steel Nerds, June 2022.