5Cr13MoV

5Cr13MoV is a Chinese martensitic stainless steel, often considered a budget-friendly option for cutlery and tools. Its composition typically includes approximately 0.45-0.55% Carbon, 12.0-14.0% Chromium, 0.15-0.30% Molybdenum, and 0.10-0.20% Vanadium, along with smaller amounts of Manganese and Silicon. The high chromium content provides good corrosion resistance, while the carbon, molybdenum, and vanadium contribute to decent edge retention and wear resistance through the formation of carbides. It offers a good balance of properties for its cost, being relatively easy to sharpen and maintain, though its edge retention is not as high as premium steels. It is heat-treatable to achieve desired hardness levels.