If you've spent any time researching pocket knives, you've probably stumbled across a wall of steel names — and two that keep coming up in serious conversations are Sandvik 14C28N and CPM MagnaCut.
Both are premium steels. Both show up in knives that cost real money. But they're built for different things, and knowing the difference will help you choose a blade that actually fits your life.
At Koi Knives, we use both. Most of the Pocket Knife Aviary collection is crafted in Sandvik 14C28N, while our flagship birds — Max the Wedge-Tailed Eagle, Bella the Black Swan, and Ian the Ibis — are forged in CPM MagnaCut. We made that choice deliberately, and in this guide we'll explain exactly why.
What Is Sandvik 14C28N?
Sandvik 14C28N is a Swedish stainless steel developed by Sandvik Materials Technology specifically for knife blades. The "N" in the name refers to nitrogen, which is added to the alloy to improve hardness and corrosion resistance without sacrificing toughness.
It's one of the most widely respected steels in the knife industry — used by manufacturers ranging from budget brands all the way up to premium makers — because it hits a rare sweet spot: it's hard enough to hold a sharp edge, tough enough to resist chipping, and stainless enough to handle Australian conditions without babying.
Typical specs for Sandvik 14C28N:
- Hardness: 57–59 HRC (we run ours at 58 HRC)
- Carbon: 0.62%
- Chromium: 14%
- Nitrogen: 0.11%
The high chromium content is what makes it genuinely stainless — resistant to sweat, salt air, humidity, and the kind of incidental moisture an EDC knife picks up in your pocket every day.
What Is CPM MagnaCut?
CPM MagnaCut is a newer American stainless steel developed by Crucible Industries and metallurgist Larrin Thomas, released in 2021. It was designed from the ground up to solve a longstanding problem in knife steel: the trade-off between corrosion resistance and toughness.
Traditional high-performance steels tend to sacrifice one for the other. MagnaCut doesn't. It achieves exceptional toughness and exceptional corrosion resistance by carefully controlling its chromium carbide structure — meaning the chromium stays in the steel matrix where it protects against rust, rather than being tied up in carbides where it can't.
The result is a steel that genuinely punches above its weight in every category.
Typical specs for CPM MagnaCut:
- Hardness: 60–65 HRC (we run ours at 62 HRC)
- Carbon: 1.15%
- Chromium: 10.7%
- Vanadium: 4%
- Niobium: 2%
That higher hardness rating means a finer, more refined edge — and the vanadium carbides contribute to outstanding wear resistance, so the edge lasts longer between sharpenings.
Head-to-Head: The Key Comparisons
Edge Retention
Winner: CPM MagnaCut
MagnaCut holds a sharp edge longer. Running at 62 HRC versus 14C28N's 58 HRC, there's a meaningful difference in how long you can use the knife before it needs touching up. If you're using your EDC knife hard — breaking down boxes, cutting rope, opening packaging throughout the day — MagnaCut will keep its edge noticeably longer.
14C28N is no slouch. At 58 HRC it holds a great working edge, especially for everyday light-to-moderate use. But in a direct comparison, MagnaCut extends the time between sharpening sessions.
Sharpening Ease
Winner: Sandvik 14C28N
The flip side of edge retention is sharpening ease — and here, 14C28N has the advantage. Its lower hardness means it responds quickly to a quality stone or pull-through sharpener. You can restore a sharp edge in a few minutes with basic kit.
MagnaCut, by contrast, benefits from diamond abrasives or quality ceramic stones. It's absolutely sharpenable, but it takes more time and the right tools. For most users, this is a once-every-few-months task rather than a dealbreaker — but it's worth knowing.
Corrosion Resistance
Winner: Draw (both excellent, for different reasons)
This is where it gets interesting. 14C28N has 14% chromium, which by traditional metrics makes it highly stainless. It will handle moisture, sweat, and salt air with ease.
MagnaCut's corrosion resistance is arguably even better — despite having less chromium on paper (10.7%). The reason is that MagnaCut's alloy design keeps that chromium available in the steel matrix rather than locked into carbides, making it more effective at resisting rust. In salt spray testing, MagnaCut outperforms many steels with significantly higher chromium content.
For most Australians — even those near the coast — both steels will perform brilliantly with basic care. Neither will rust from a sweaty pocket or a splash of water.
Toughness
Winner: CPM MagnaCut
Toughness is the steel's ability to absorb impact without chipping or cracking — important if your knife goes camping, bushwalking, or into any kind of demanding outdoor use.
MagnaCut was specifically engineered for toughness. It's exceptionally resistant to chipping even at its higher hardness, which is normally where harder steels become brittle. 14C28N is also tough for its hardness level, but MagnaCut simply goes further.
Value for Money
Winner: Sandvik 14C28N
14C28N is more affordable to work with — it's widely produced, well understood, and doesn't carry the premium of a newer specialty steel. That translates to better value at the purchase price, which is why most of the Aviary collection uses it. You're getting an exceptional performing steel without paying for a flagship upgrade.
MagnaCut commands a higher price, both as raw material and in the finished knife. When we use it, it's reserved for our most significant birds — the ones that represent the top of the Aviary.
Which Steel Is Right for You?
Choose Sandvik 14C28N if:
- You want a reliable, sharp, everyday carry knife that's easy to maintain
- You sharpen your own knives and prefer quick, accessible touch-ups
- You're buying your first quality pocket knife and want outstanding performance without the flagship premium
- You work in conditions involving moisture but don't need extreme edge retention
In the Aviary: Most of the Pocket Knife Aviary collection — including beloved birds like Harry the Laughing Kookaburra, Bek & Bob the Black-Necked Storks, and Pat the Pacific Gull — are crafted in Sandvik 14C28N. These are exceptional everyday carry knives.
Choose CPM MagnaCut if:
- You want the absolute best edge retention and will use your knife hard
- You work or play in demanding environments — coastal, tropical, high humidity
- You're buying a knife as a long-term investment or collector's piece
- You want a blade that is genuinely at the cutting edge of modern metallurgy
In the Aviary: Max the Wedge-Tailed Eagle, Bella the Black Swan, and Ian the Ibis are our MagnaCut birds — the pinnacle of the collection, designed for those who want the very best.
A Note on Heat Treatment
Steel specs on paper only tell half the story. The other half is heat treatment — the process of hardening and tempering the blade after forging.
A well heat-treated 14C28N blade will outperform a poorly heat-treated MagnaCut blade every time. At Koi Knives, every blade goes through a precise heat treatment process informed by our second-generation blacksmithing heritage. We don't cut corners here, because we know it's where performance is made or lost.
When you're comparing knives, ask about the steel and the HRC it's been treated to. The number matters.
The Bottom Line
Both Sandvik 14C28N and CPM MagnaCut are outstanding knife steels. The question isn't which one is better in an absolute sense — it's which one is better for you.
For everyday carry, general use, and easy maintenance: 14C28N is the workhorse you'll reach for every day without thinking twice.
For demanding use, maximum edge retention, and the best corrosion resistance money can buy: MagnaCut is where modern knife steel technology peaks.
At Koi Knives, we believe both deserve a place in the collection — which is why we've built the Pocket Knife Aviary around them.
Browse the full Pocket Knife Aviary →
Koi Knives is a premium South Australian knife brand with second-generation blacksmithing heritage, handcrafting folding knives at 330 Goodwood Road, Clarence Park. Each knife in the Pocket Knife Aviary celebrates an Australian native bird — built to carry every day, built to last a lifetime.
