65Mn – Manganese Spring Steel Overview
Manganese Spring Steel for Tough Utility Blades
65Mn is a Chinese high-carbon, manganese-enhanced spring steel known for its high toughness, elasticity, and wear resistance at a reasonable cost. It is often compared to 5160 and 1095, sitting somewhere between them in performance.
This steel is popular in large knives, swords, machetes, and training blades due to its ability to withstand shock and repeated flexing without cracking. It is easy to heat treat, forge, and grind, making it suitable for beginner bladesmiths and mass-production knives.
Performance Overview
| Key Feature | Rating | Remarks |
| Impact Toughness | ★★★★☆ | Good shock resistance, suitable for choppers and throwing tools |
| Edge Retention | ★★★☆☆ | Holds an edge well for general use, less than high alloy steels |
| Hardness Potential | ★★★★☆ | Can reach HRC 58–61 with proper oil quench |
| Elasticity / Springiness | ★★★★☆ | Excellent flexibility, suitable for training and flexible blades |
| Grindability | ★★★★☆ | Easy to grind and finish using standard abrasives |
| Wear Resistance | ★★★☆☆ | Moderate wear resistance, not suited for highly abrasive tasks |
| Corrosion Resistance | ★☆☆☆☆ | Not stainless, requires regular oiling |
| Heat Treat Tolerance | ★★★★☆ | Forgiving and stable; good for beginner-level heat treatment |
Heat Treatment Guidelines
65Mn responds well to basic oil quenching and tempering. It can also be clay tempered to form a visible hamon, though less pronounced than T10.
Austenitizing Temperature: 830–860°C (1525–1580°F)
Quenching: Fast oil or warm oil recommended
Tempering: 200–250°C (2–3 cycles), hold 1–2 hours each
Hardness Range: HRC 58–61
Normalization: Recommended before hardening
Cryo Treatment: Not required
Avoid water quenching, as it increases the risk of cracking, especially in thin blades.
Chemical Composition
65Mn has a relatively simple composition with elevated manganese for increased strength and hardenability:
Carbon (C): 0.62–0.70% – Provides edge hardness and cutting power
Manganese (Mn): 0.90–1.20% – Significantly improves strength, toughness, and quench depth
Silicon (Si): 0.17–0.37% – Supports deoxidation and improves wear performance
Phosphorus (P) & Sulfur (S): Low amounts; controlled to avoid brittleness
65Mn is non-stainless and contains no chromium, vanadium, or molybdenum. It must be regularly maintained to prevent rust.
Processing Notes
Can be hot-forged and normalized easily
Grinds well with standard abrasives
Supports both full hardening and differential tempering
Suitable for choppers, swords, and repeated-flex blades
Recommended to avoid aggressive water quench unless controlled
Ideal Applications
Outdoor machetes and large field knives
Stage combat and training swords
Throwing knives and tools
Budget-performance swords
Multi-purpose blades for heavy use
Material Options
✅ Annealed bar stock for forging
✅ Hot-rolled flat bar for stock removal
✅ Pre-cut blanks available on request
✅ Custom sizing and cutting supported
Why Choose Us?
We’re more than just a steel supplier—we understand bladesmithing from the inside out. Every material we offer is carefully selected, professionally handled, and backed by real technical support.
We understand the real-world needs of sword makers and custom bladesmiths. From steel behavior during forging and quenching to EDM and final finishing, we speak your language—because we’re craftsmen too.
We stock carefully selected steels like CPM 3V, CPM 1V, and more—known for their toughness, edge retention, and dimensional stability. Whether treated or annealed, every batch is chosen for serious work.
Need specific dimensions for your blade profile? We offer custom cutting, stock thickness options, and surface prep to suit forging or grinding—saving you time and material waste.
We focus on long-term value—offering premium materials at fair prices. Whether you’re a one-blade-at-a-time maker or a growing workshop, we’ll work with your budget.
We understand that your build schedule depends on material arriving when promised. We ship on time, provide tracking, and follow up—so you can plan with confidence.
Have questions about heat treatment, material choice, or blade geometry? We’re here to help—not just before the sale, but anytime you need practical advice.
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Would you like to start a project with us?
Whether you’re crafting a single custom blade or building a full line of swords, we’re here to support your vision with the right materials and reliable service. Tell us what you’re making—we’ll help you choose the steel, prepare it, and get it to you on time. Let’s build something sharp together.