Panzer 36 is a new steel with regard to knives, but has been in use in the medical field for about 20 years. The manufacturer chooses to remain anonymous but has allowed KMTS in South Africa to market it, test it and distribute it for knifemaking.
Panzer 36 is a martensitic stainless steel with high hardness, high wear resistance and good corrosion resistance. It is cross rolled in production to cancel out residual stresses from the manufacturing process.
Composition
| C | Si | Mn | Co | Cr | Mo | V |
| 1-1.1% | Max 1% | Max 1% | 1.3 - 1.8% | 16.5 - 18.5% | 1 - 1.5% | 0.07 - 1.12% |
Referred to by some as ' the child from a mommy N690 and a daddy K110', Panzer 36 is described as having the best attributes of both these steels.
Kevin Harvey, of Heavin Forge, has been involved in the initial testing of a knife in Panzer 36 and describes it as having ' excellent edge holding and toughness.'
It is available through KMTS and it will be interesting to see how, with a bit of time, knifemakers in South Africa judge this 'new' steel, myself included. Have ordered a couple of profiled blanks in the Panzer 36...waiting patiently.
Right, my profiles have arrived! First glance looks like K110, no scale like the N690, rather just clean silver metal blanks. Now we can start working with it!
