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ApexUltra

Hardness ? Rockwell C Hardness (HRC) measures how resistant a steel is to permanent deformation. For kitchen knives:

55–58 HRC — Soft. Easy to sharpen and forgiving of rough use, but dulls faster. Typical of most German knives.
59–61 HRC — Balanced. Good edge retention with manageable sharpening. Common in mid-range Japanese knives.
62–64 HRC — Hard. Excellent edge retention, holds a very fine edge. Requires more care and a fine stone to sharpen.
65+ HRC — Very hard. Exceptional edge longevity but more brittle — more prone to chipping if used roughly.

Higher is not always better — it depends on how you use and maintain your knife.
66–69 HRC
555759616365+
ApexUltra 是刀鋼界最新的創新之一,其性能與特性專為滿足廚具製作者的需求而設計。ApexUltra 的靈感來自傳奇的青紙 super 鋼與 52100 鋼,目標是在極高硬度的同時保有適當的韌性,讓刀刃可以做到極薄,適合精細切片工作。

ApexUltra 的開發方式與傳統產業手法大不相同。核心團隊有三位成員:Larrin Thomas、Tobias Hangler 和 Marco Guldimann,他們分別是經驗豐富的冶金學家、鍛造師與廚師,對刀鋼及其應用有深厚理解。憑藉紮實的理論知識,他們結合歐洲各地資源,打造出高純度、高均質性,以及細緻晶粒和碳化物尺寸的 ApexUltra。這造就了極佳且平衡的性能,超越了前輩青紙 super 和 52100 鋼,能將鋼材硬化至近 69HRC,同時在 65HRC 時仍比青紙 super 擁有更佳韌性。製作者可打造出極細且持久的刀刃,適合長時間廚房使用。

其秘密在於技術與成分。選用精良原料與先進電渣重熔技術,最大限度減少夾雜物和雜質,降低會損害刀具韌性的粒子。從元素組成來看,這是一種低合金碳鋼。少量鉻可形成富鉻鐵碳化物,大幅提升硬度,鎢和釩則形成極細碳化物,顯著提高耐磨性且不大犧牲韌性。這使得 ApexUltra 能在極高工作硬度下兼顧硬度與韌性的平衡,並有出色的耐磨表現。

製作者還希望這款鋼材對鍛造刀匠有良好可加工性,特意將合金含量壓低,使所有碳化物能在鍛造溫度下充分溶解。這意味著頂尖鍛造技術的鐵匠能像處理傳統碳鋼一樣輕鬆駕馭 ApexUltra,同時又能享受更高級材料帶來的性能提升。另一項優勢是易於研磨,儘管廚刀應用中硬度可達 66HRC 以上,低碳化物體積與細小顆粒讓 ApexUltra 可輕鬆用一般磨石研磨,對製作者和用家都非常友善。

雖然 ApexUltra 在市場上仍算新星,但歐洲多數訂製刀匠已將其作為碳鋼首選,未來也期待日本刀匠能廣泛採用這款鋼材。
Composition

ApexUltra Element Composition

Compare with
    ApexUltra
    2.6% 2.0% 1.3% 0.7% 0
    C Carbon 1.25%
    Primary hardening element. Raises hardness and wear resistance — but too much increases brittleness and corrosion susceptibility. As a reference: German 1.4112 (~0.5%) sits at the low end; VG-10 (~1.0%) is a common mid-range; SG2 (1.25–1.45%) and ZDP-189 (~3.0%) represent high and extreme ends respectively.
    C
    1.25%
    Cr Chromium 1.5%
    Raises corrosion resistance; 13%+ qualifies steel as stainless. Also improves hardenability and wear resistance. In kitchen use, higher chromium levels contribute to a slight drag or sticking sensation when cutting — a trade-off for the rust resistance it provides.
    Cr
    1.5%
    V Vanadium 0.4%
    Forms extremely hard carbides for superior edge retention. Also refines grain structure, improving toughness.
    V
    0.4%
    W Tungsten 2.6%
    Forms hard carbides for wear resistance and edge retention. Gives the steel hardness even at elevated temperatures.
    W
    2.6%
    Mn Manganese 0.3%
    Aids hardenability and strength. Acts as a deoxidiser during smelting. Excess can reduce toughness.
    Mn
    0.3%
    Si Silicon 0.35%
    Strengthens the steel matrix and acts as a deoxidiser. Improves hardness and resistance to oxidation.
    Si
    0.35%
    P Phosphorus 0.01%
    Impurity from the smelting process. Even small amounts cause brittleness — steelmakers keep this as low as possible.
    P
    0.01%
    S Sulfur 0.01%
    Impurity that reduces toughness and promotes brittleness. Intentionally added only in free-machining steels.
    S
    0.01%
    C — Carbon Cr — Chromium V — Vanadium W — Tungsten Mn — Manganese Si — Silicon P — Phosphorus S — Sulfur
    Hardness 66–69 HRC
    555759616365+
    Steel
    ApexUltra
    Category
    碳鋼
    Manufacturer
    未知
    Hardness
    66–69 HRC