Pop’s ProCut Carbon Steel

Description

https://knifesteelnerds.com/2025/06/04/pops-procut-a-new-carbon-steel-for-knives/ for more detailed information.

Heat Treatment Recommendations

In a Forge

Heat to “one shade brighter” after reaching nonmagnetic, quench in oil (most types are fine), and temper twice for one hour each time at 150-230°C to desired hardness.

In a Furnace

Maximum toughness: 900°C for 10-15 minutes.

Higher edge retention: 815°C for 10-15 minutes

Quench in oil (most types are fine), and temper twice for one hour each time at 150-230°C to desired hardness.

Thermal Cycling after Forging

885-913°C for 10-15 minutes, air cool. Without a controlled furnace, heat into that rough range and establish an even temperature distribution prior to cooling.

732°C for 30 minutes, cool at 37°C/hr to 593°C. After that it can be cooled more rapidly. Without a controlled furnace, heat to nonmagnetic and slow cool such as in vermiculite.

Summary and Conclusions

I am happy with how Pop’s ProCut turned out. It offers good balanced performance when compared with other low alloy non-stainless steels. Better edge retention than 1095, O1, 80CrV2, L6, 15N20, etc. And depending on the heat treatment its toughness approaches 8670, 15N20, and 5160. And on top of this it is beginner friendly, being easy to heat treat, grind, and finish.

Dr Larrin Thomas & Pop’s Knife Supply