AR-RPM9 Steel | Compact Analysis

Your first option when looking to get a new knife for everyday use should be the AR-RPM9. It is stainless steel in powder form and has qualities that make it perfect for everyday-carry knives. Due to the powdering process, AR-RPM9 rivals several premium steel kinds in terms of overall durability and corrosion resistance while also boasting high hardness and exceptional toughness.

Let’s read the overall review of AR-RPM9 steel to know more about it.

What is AR-RPM9 Steel?

In 2020, Artisan Cutlery introduced the AR-RPM9 on the Sea Snake and Arion models. While powder metallurgy techniques are typically used to produce knives in the mid-to-high-end price ranges, Artisan’s objective was to develop new PM steel that offered excellent performance while being reasonably priced to use on budget releases.

Ar-RPM9 is a brand-new, exclusive steel that CJRB created. Knives made from this steel have the potential to keep a fine, sharp edge for a long time and are simple to maintain and sharpen. The grain structure of the steel has been kept incredibly fine by the use of a powdered metallurgy technique, which over time enhances the steel’s overall quality and performance.

The AR-RPM9 blade has a piercing tip and a broad belly that makes it suited for most tasks. Due to the blade’s versatility, it can be utilized for a variety of tasks, including camp chores, combat, and even as a replacement for a kitchen knife. The sleek, G10 handles offer a secure grip while being discreet when being used or carried.

Is AR-RPM9 Steel Any Good?

The powder metallurgy method was used to create the exclusive stainless steel known as AR-RPM9 steel, which is produced by Artisan Cutlery and falls under their line of reasonably priced steels. The number 9 in the name of AR-RPM9 steel is meant to represent the constituents that make up its alloy.

Because it contains a lot of vanadium and cobalt as well as a lot of carbon, it has a high hardness. To increase the hardness and wear resistance of AR-RPM9 steel, hard vanadium carbides were created.

Due to its 18% chromium content in its alloy composition, AR-RPM9 stainless steel has a little improved resistance to corrosion. Without chipping or breaking, the steel can sustain a sizable quantity of demanding applications.

We can infer from the aforementioned characteristics that powder AR-RPM9 steel is a good low-cost knife steel. It has high hardness, excellent corrosion resistance, good edge retention, moderate wear resistance, and fair toughness.

AR-RPM9 Steel Composition

Carbon

A carbon content of 0.9% in AR-RPM9 stainless steel improves tensile strength, hardness, and edge retention. Additionally, it increases the steel’s resistance to rust, corrosion, and wear.

Chromium

Stainless steel AR-RPM9 has a high chromium content of 18%. Chromium increases a blade’s tensile strength, hardness, and corrosion resistance.

Molybdenum

Molybdenum is present in AR-RPM9 steel at 1.00%. It enhances corrosion resistance and machinability.

Vanadium

Vanadium makes up about 0.10 percent of the stainless steel. In combination with other elements, it creates hard vanadium carbide, which increases wear resistance.

Manganese

In AR-RPM9 steel, manganese content is 0.45%. Steel becomes stronger and harder as a result. Increased manganese throughout the heat-treatment process increases the steel’s capacity to harden.

Nickel

Strength and hardness are increased in AR-RPM9 steel by adding 0.60% nickel. Though not as significant as some of the other alloying elements in steel, it does increase hardenability. It can significantly increase corrosion resistance.

Silicon

Strength and heat resistance are increased in the 0.80% silicon AR-RPM9 steel.

Rare Earth

Essentially, it is leftover sulfur, phosphorus, and other trace elements from the smelting process. Less than 0.05% of the total trace elements are present.

AR-RPM9 Steel Properties

There are two properties in AR-RPM9:

• Physical Characteristics: The AR-RPM9 steel has the ideal balance of edge holding, corrosion resistance, and sharpening simplicity. This is the best choice for a knife to carry in your everyday trips.
• Mechanical Properties: A blade’s edge retention, hardness, tensile strength, and corrosion resistance are all improved by a high carbon and chromium content. The silicon in AR-RPM9 steel also makes the material stronger and more heat resistant.

Why is AR-RPM9 Steel Good for Knives?

For all standard features, AR-RPM9 steel is good for knives. Here are all the features:

Parameter 1 | Edge Retention

Steel’s hardness has a direct impact on edge retention. It is not surprising that knives made from this steel maintain their edge for a long period given its high hardness of 60 HRC. The long-lasting sharpness of this steel, despite continuous usage, is due in part to the strong vanadium carbides.

Parameter 2 | Toughness

As steel gets harder, its toughness decreases because it becomes less able to withstand impacts without breaking. The combination of nickel and manganese contributes to the reasonable toughness of AR-RPM9.

Parameter 3 | Corrosion Resistance

Steel must contain at least 12% chromium to be labeled as stainless steel. This steel has the same level of corrosion resistance as premium steel due to its 18% chromium content. For a long-lasting rust-free service, be careful to wash and dry your AR-RPM9 knives after use.

Parameter 4 | Wear Resistance

The high hardness of AR-RPM9 steel provides excellent wear resistance. Without chipping or cracking, the knives can be utilized in demanding situations.

Parameter 5 | Ease of Sharpening

Because AR-RPM9 is hard steel, it is difficult to sharpen. Although it is excellent that the knives do not go dull quickly, getting the sharp edge back will take a little more time and effort. If you are a novice at sharpening knives, the process will be more difficult for you.

Parameter 6 | Hardness

According to the Rockwell hardness scale, AR-RPM9 steel has a hardness of 58–60HRC. This level of hardness is typical of expensive knives. Because it contains a lot of vanadium and cobalt as well as a lot of carbon, it has a high hardness.

So, based on the features listed above, we may infer that powder AR-RPM9 steel is an excellent budget knife steel. It has a high hardness, good edge retention, moderate wear resistance, excellent corrosion resistance, and reasonable toughness.

The sole disadvantage is that, although it is powdered steel, it does not have the same level of edge retention as other powder steels.

Alternatives to AR-RPM9 Steel

D2 Steel

D2 steel is a high-carbon, high-chromium tool steel that air hardens. High wear and abrasion resistance characteristics are present. The deformation of D2 steel is minimal after adequate hardening. The high chromium concentration of D2 steel gives it some modest corrosion resistance after it is hardened.

D2 offers a good balance of toughness and wear resistance, tool performance, pricing, and a wide range of product forms. If you want a more detailed comparison of d2 steel with Ar-rpm9 then read our comparison review of D2 and Ar-rpm9.

VG-10 Stainless Steel

A high-end Japanese stainless steel with a high vanadium and carbon content is known as VG10 VG-10 or VG 10. The stainless steel’s high carbon and chromium content gives it great corrosion resistance and high hardness, while the cobalt’s presence accentuates the effects of all the other components. It is one of the best steel for hunting or outdoor activities.

The VG 10 is strong steel with 60HRC steel that provides excellent edge retention. The VG10’s exceptional corrosion resistance is demonstrated by its 15.5% chromium content, which is one of the reasons it’s regarded as one of the greatest steels for corrosion resistance. The VG10 steel has a high carbon volume and is a premium steel that provides excellent wear resistance.

440C Stainless Steel

High-carbon martensitic stainless steel is known as grade 440C. It possesses good hardness and wear resistance, high strength, moderate corrosion resistance, and moderate corrosion. After heat treatment, Grade 440C can reach the best strength, hardness, and wear resistance of any stainless alloy. These qualities, which make 440C particularly suitable for uses like ball bearings and valve parts, are caused by its extremely high carbon concentration.

Chromium steel that can be hardened is 440C. It is one of the corrosion and heat-resistant grades with the maximum achievable hardness. This rating is always appealing. For applications that require higher machinability and a little bit poorer corrosion resistance, 440C can be provided.

Equivalent to AR-RPM9 Steel

AR-RMP9 steel is essentially comparable to 9Cr18MoV steel from a Chinese manufacturer and 1.4112 stainless steel from Germany. They are both high carbon and chromium steels with a hardness of 58-60 HRC. AR-RMP9 steel has no discernible performance advantage over these current steels.

FAQs

Is it simple to sharpen AR-RPM9 steel?

Ans: Sharpening AR-RPM9 is difficult because it is hard steel. If you are a novice, sharpening the knife could be challenging for you.

Why is AR-RPM9 steel?

Ans: Stainless steel in powder form, AR-RPM9 has qualities that make it perfect for everyday-carry knives.

What is the purpose of AR steel?

Ans: The steel plate that is resistant to abrasion is frequently used in infrastructure, industrial manufacturing, and the energy sector. Mining is a further application. Construction.

What is the AR steel’s tensile strength?

Ans: Tensile strengths for AR steels, which are not meant for structural use, range from 180 to 200 ksi.

Conclusion

An excellent everyday stainless steel is AR-RPM9. The greatest stainless steel for knives may be found in it thanks to its high hardness, excellent edge retention, good toughness, and superior corrosion resistance. We can infer from the aforementioned characteristics that powder AR-RPM9 steel is an excellent low-cost knife steel.

Suggested Knives for AR-RPM9 Steel

1.   CJRB Tactical Knife, Small Folding Pocket Knife with AR-RPM9 Steel Blade

The sturdy AR-RPM9 steel used in the construction of the CJRB Tactical Pocket Knife is excellent for daily usage because of its great corrosion resistance and exceptional edge retention. This knife will resist corrosion even under the worst situations thanks to the non-reflective PVD coating.

2.   CJRB Pyrite Button Lock Knife Black Steel

You can trust the Pyrite from CJRB as a reliable everyday carry knife. This knife’s G-10 handle and AR-RPM9 steel blade make it exceptionally comfortable to grasp and use. The blade has a strong cutting action when opened quickly. Bring this along when you go on your next adventure or to the office to open boxes. This EDC knife is excellent all around.

3.   ARTISANCUTLERY Folding Knife SIRIUS (1849P)

The Sirius is the latest product created by ARTISANCUTLERY and knife maker Ray Laconico. The folding tactical knife by ARTISANCUTLERY has a flipper opening system that enables one-handed opening. The 3.54-inch drop point blade is made of sturdy AR-RPM9 steel and has a drop point design.

This knife has had several high-end components added to it to give it the ideal balance of aesthetic appeal and functionality.