15N20

15N20 is a nickel-containing steel grade commonly used in knife making and in Damascus-style blades. It is favored for its high ductility, good toughness, and the bright, silvery appearance it can contribute when layered with darker steels in pattern-welding. The exact chemical composition of 15N20 can vary by producer, but the defining characteristic is a relatively high nickel content, which also helps with welding and forgeability.

In terms of properties, 15N20 is not a stainless steel and has limited corrosion resistance compared with true stainless alloys. Its nickel content gives blades a light, reflective surface and can improve toughness and damage resistance relative to some high-carbon steels. Because it is commonly used as a component in laminated blades, it is often paired with high-carbon steels such as 1095 or O1 to create strong, visually contrasting patterns.

Applications and processing guidelines center on knife blades and decorative pattern welding. In laminated blades, 15N20 provides a contrasting “white” layer against darker cores, contributing to the distinctive look of Damascus steel. It is well reguarded for weldability, making it suitable for forge-wolding and multiple-layer builds.

Heat treatment typically follows practices for carbon steels: austenitizing, quenching (usually in oil), and tempering to achieve a practical balance of hardness and toughness. Typical target hardness for finished blades is around the 60 HRC range, though exact temperatures and times depend on the heat-treatment setup and desired properties.

See also: Damascus steel, knife steel, pattern welding.