Sharpening Intervals by Steel Grade

Sharpening cadence depends on steel composition, hardness, and daily workload. Use this reference to plan service dates and maintain warranty compliance.

Interval Table

Steel grade Typical HRC High volume (20+ cuts/day) Moderate volume Low volume / specialist Notes
420J2 / 7CR 52–56 3–4 months 5–6 months 6–8 months Ideal for apprentices; resharpen sooner if used on dry hair frequently.
440C 58–60 4–5 months 6–7 months 8–9 months Common in value/mid-tier sets; micro-serrations require specialist tooling.
VG-10 / ATS-314 60–62 5–6 months 7–8 months 9–10 months Premium convex edges—send to factory or certified techs.
Powder metallurgy (PM, Nano) 62–64 6–7 months 8–9 months 10–12 months Longer intervals but never skip annual service; edge failure is costly.

Service Planning Tips

  • Log client volume weekly; adjust intervals when workload spikes.
  • Schedule services ahead of busy seasons (wedding, holiday) to avoid downtime.
  • Always request heat-controlled sharpening with water-cooled systems for premium steels.