Chinese production of stainless steel. It is relatively soft and used for making knives and blades. Its properties are very similar to 420HC steel.
The steel is relatively soft. It reaches values of 54 - 57 HRC. Although manufacturers in China use this relatively soft steel for making knives and blades, it's important to note that even softer steels are sometimes used for knives. Therefore, it is not surprising that 5Cr13 steel is more commonly found in knives at a lower price point. If you are not a demanding customer and are looking for a knife for occasional use, a knife made of 5Cr13 steel will suffice. In very high-quality knives, you will commonly find hardness around 60 HRC or more.