VBN Components AB Vibenite 290 Knife Steel
Composition Analysis Graph, Equivalents And Overview

Vibenite 290(VBN Components AB) - A fellow knife enthusiast alerted me to the existence of the Vibenite 290. Fairly new alloy(for now, summer 2019), Vibenite 290 was launched in 2017, and VBN Components AB claims it is the world's hardest steel. Capable of achieving 72HRC working hardness. Without a doubt, 72HRC is an impressive feat for any steel or alloy to achieve, but as far as the world's hardest, I am not quite sure that's the case. Much older, Crucible CPM Rex 121 steel is rated at the same 70-72HRC as the Vibenite 290, and there's also Hitachi H34A, for which the composition is unknown, although that one is not a steel, but some sort of Titanium alloy, sintered one at that. Anyway, VBN Components AB uses 3D printing technology to make products out of Vibenite 290. As far as technology and science go, all this is really exciting and might be opening new doors in metallurgy and hopefully in knifemaking. In reality, for now at least, I am not so sure how we would get our hands on 3D printed knives like that. I sure would love to get one, but I suspect it'll be a while. I have no idea if that is an option, but theoretically VBN Components AB could print bars and provide those to knifemakers. Certainly, makers will have interesting time dealing with those bars, but who knows. Another, may be more realistic alternative is to submit blade blank 3d file to VBN Components AB and then finish it, which will be still tough, but easier than dealing with a bar. One other achievement of the Vibenite 290, the carbide volume is between 20%-30%. For most of the alloys that's really high, but given the composition of the Vibenite 290 it isn't as high as Crucible CPM Rex 121 steel or even more modest Bohler-Uddeholm M389 steel, which also has 30% carbide volume. For the record, VBN Components AB does produce few more alloys, and I've submitted the request to them asking the composition data, hopefully I'll get that soon and add those alloys to the database. Well, that's all I know for now, and I'll certainly keep an eye on Vibenite 290 and 3D printing tech in knives.

Manufacturing Technology - PM

Country - Sweden(SE)

Known Aliases:
VBN Components AB - Vibenite290