Everything You Need To Know To Find The Best stainless steel hand tools

A good recipe

Unless a piece of metal is a pure element, like gold or copper, it’s an alloy: a blend of multiple metals and minerals that, like the ingredients in a recipe, work better together to make a superior material. Iron is tough and weighty, but can rust; carbon on its own is brittle, but can strengthen other metals. Even “pure” pieces of cookware like copper are usually fortified with other materials to make them stronger, more food-safe, and more user-friendly.

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All steels are alloys of iron and carbon, and some pieces of cookware are just that: high-carbon steel. That material is often used in knives, particularly in Chinese and French traditions, because it’s easy to produce and results in an exceptionally tough blades with razor-sharp edges. But high-carbon steel also rusts easily, and requires special care to keep it at its best. Which makes it nice for specialists, but not the best choice for general-purpose cooking.

That lives up to its name

Stainless steel is a modified steel alloy with two star ingredients: chromium and nickel. Both of them prevent rust from exposure to water and corrosion from exposure to acid, for a piece of metal that’s not only, well, stainless, but can also handle whatever abuse you throw at it in the kitchen. Stainless steel can also be polished to a lustrous silver shine that looks stunning in every setting, and it’s easy to maintain: just cook, wash, dry, and repeat.

Makes you a better cook

Unlike cast iron or high-carbon steel, stainless doesn’t rust. But it does feel weighty in the hand, as a hunk of metal should. This isn’t just to look and feel nice: it also makes for kitchenware that you can control more accurately. If you’ve ever picked up a heavy professional camera, you’ve probably noticed that it’s actually easier to hold steady than a featherweight camera . Dense metals like stainless are less likely to fly around in your hand than cheap plastic. They subconsciously force your body to move a little more deliberately while minimizing small shakes and flicks of the wrist—all of which translates to more confident motions while you’re cooking.

And lasts forever

As with other alloys, stainless steel is built to last. Short of leaving a steel knife in a ripping-hot oven overnight, there’s not much you can do to damage it.

If there’s one downside to stainless, it’s that this longevity comes at a slight cost of hardness. Compared to high-carbon steel, the 18/10 stainless alloy isn’t quite as hard. Which isn’t an issue for most pieces of kitchenware, but for items with thin edges like knives, it can make a subtle difference. Which is why we designed our chef’s knife and paring knife in three layers. The middle is made from high-carbon steel for a razor sharp edge that stays sharp for a long time. Then we clad it with a layer of stainless steel on each side, to protect the knife and keep it impervious to rust and other kinds of damage.

The result is a tool that combines exceptional sharpness with easy maintenance. It’s the best of both worlds—just like an alloy.

Stainless steel hand tools are known for their non-corrosive properties. Manufactured from iron alloy that contains at least 10.5% chromium, stainless steel tools have a thin layer of oxide on their surface, which helps to protect them from natural corrosion and oxidisation. The greater the volume of chromium in the tool, the higher its anti-corrosion properties.

You’ll find a range of tools manufactured in stainless steel, each containing a blend of iron and other elements. The important thing to be aware of when shopping for stainless steel tools is the grade. Stainless steel tool grades determine how resistant the tool is to corrosion, and, by proxy, the types of environments the tool is suited to – something we’ll expand on later. But first, let’s look at some of the benefits stainless steel hand tools offer.

What are the Benefits of Using Stainless Steel Tools?

One of the best benefits of using stainless steel tools is their ability to withstand corrosion. The unique properties of the oxide barrier, something which only stainless steel tools possess, plays a big part in protecting the tool from rust and other elemental depreciation. This makes them a great choice for outdoor work as well as environments where precipitation or high levels of salt are present; marine environments being a good example.

Another great benefit of stainless steel tools is their strength. Tools made from stainless steel contain a blend of metal and non-metal elements, such as nickel, carbon, titanium, and nitrogen. These help to lend the tool strength and formability, which (along with the anti-corrosion properties) make stainless steel tools durable and hardwearing. In fact, with correct handling, stainless steel can retain its shape and appearance for many years with barely any maintenance.

Where are Stainless Steel Tools Used?

Stainless steel tools perform best in environments where corrosion is a concern. You’ll often find stainless steel used in surgical tools, because of its hygienic and antibacterial properties.

Stainless steel tools are also common in architectural and landscaping applications, where the risk of exposure to moisture and damp conditions is present. For similar reasons, you’ll find stainless steel tools widely adopted in marine environments, because of their enhanced anti-corrosion benefits compared to carbon tools.

Are you interested in learning more about special hand tools? Contact us today to secure an expert consultation!

Understanding the Types and Grades of Steel Used for Tools

The grades of stainless steel refer to the chemical make-up of the material and determine what stainless steel is used for. Stainless steel grades are commonly split into low carbon families, high carbon families, and other grades, of which 304, 304L, 316 and 402 are the most common.

304 grade stainless steel can withstand temperatures of up to 870°C and offers good all-round anti-corrosive properties. It’s also able to withstand most sterilisation processes without corroding.

304L grade stainless steel contains lower level of carbon compared with grade 304. This helps to create seamless welds that reduce the risk of bacteria build-ups.

316 grade stainless steel contains 2% Molybdenum content. This makes it more resistant to pitting corrosion. It can also withstand chlorine up to 500mg/l.

402 grade stainless steel contains 12% chromium and a relatively high level of carbon (0.15 to 0.4%). It offers corrosion resistance and strength at an affordable price.

Commonly Used Stainless Steel Tools

What is Marine Grade Stainless Steel?

Marine grade steel is essentially stainless steel that’s of a grade 316. This class of stainless steel offers high levels of resistance to chlorine and contains 2% Molybdenum content, not present in other stainless steel grades.

This makes grade 316 stainless steel compatible with brines and salt solutions, the likes of which are commonly found in marine environments, which is why it’s considered suitable for marine-based applications.

How to Maintain Stainless Steel Tools

Stainless steel tools actually require very little maintenance compared to other metal tool types, which is another of their key benefits versus carbon steel tools. Their natural anti-corrosion properties offer them a high degree of protection from rust, which eliminates the need for constant cleaning or oiling.

The only thing you really need do to prolong the life these tools is them keep well organised in a tool chest or similar storage solution.

Popular Stainless Steel Tools

At Red Box Tools we stock a wide range of Bahco stainless steel tools and tool boxes in a variety of stainless steel grades.

Whether you’re seeking low-maintenance measuring tools, a stainless steel screwdriver, or just a set of gardening tools that won’t rust, we offer tools for all industries and applications.

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Find your perfect tool storage from our professional range

From tool bags and tool chests to tool boxes with wheels, tool belts, tool cases, and trade-specific tool storage, at Red Box Tools we offer high-quality solutions you can count on.