THE CORSE COAST IN stainless steel
Carbon, Damascus or stainless steel: the choice of steel is an integral part of the work of the knifemaker.
The stainless corse knife combines the know-how of the cutlery contemporary corse with the technical qualities of corrosion resistant steels. Grades such as 12C27 or 14C28N can be used in cutlery for their sharpness, oxidation resistance and ease of maintenance. The choice of the steel depends, however, on the knifemaker, the type of knife and the desired use.
In the contemporary Corsican cutlery, the stainless steel naturally found its place alongside the traditional carbon steels. In particular, it responds to those looking for a knife to be used regularly, with a blade offering good corrosion resistance and simpler maintenance.
But "stainless" does not mean "unalterable".
A stainless steel remains a steel. Its corrosion resistance is mainly due to the presence of chromium, which allows the formation on its surface of a very thin protective layer. Depending on the grade used, its heat treatment, its surface condition and the conditions of use, its performance can be very different.
Among the steels developed specifically for the cutlery, 12C27 and 14C28N are two well-known examples. 12C27 contains nominally 13,5 % chromium and combines hardness, sharpness and good corrosion resistance. 14C28N, with about 14 % chromium and an addition of nitrogen, has been designed to achieve a balance between sharpness of the edge, wire stability, hardness and corrosion resistance.
On Couteaux Corses®, we have long been presenting Corse artisans' creations made in carbon steel, Damascus, and stainless steel.
Therefore, the stainless steel does not remove anything from the character of a Corsican knife.
A Corsican knife is not limited to the shade of steel used. These are also the hand of the knifemaker, the design of the knife, its lines, its mechanism, the work of the handle, the materials chosen and, above all, the identity which the craftsman gives to its creation.
The stainless steel is simply another technical possibility: especially interesting when looking for a knife that is easy to live, moisture resistant and intended for regular use.
And even stainless, a beautiful blade deserves some simple precautions: clean it after use, dry it properly and avoid leaving it permanently in contact with moisture or salt.
Because at the end of the day, carbon, Damascus or stainless steel, the best steel remains the one that the knifemaker controls and chooses according to the knife he wants to make.
- To deepen the characteristics of the different shades, see our article Choose the steel from its Corsican knife
- The choice of the steel is only one of the criteria to be considered. Find all these criteria in our guide Choose your handcrafted Corsican knife.
COUTEAUX CORSES®
The handcrafted Corsican knife, made in Corsica by knifemakers corses.