4CR13 Steel
4CR13 Steel
Quick look
- Hardness window: 50–52 HRC with standard tempering.
- Toughness: Slightly harder than 3Cr13 yet still forgiving when mishandled.
- Corrosion profile: Stainless enough for bleach stations and student kits.
- Weight/feel: Lightweight stampings; often paired with thicker handles for balance.
Why it matters
4Cr13 (also marketed as 40Cr13) is the “step-up” Chinese stainless. A bit more carbon gives better edge stability than 3Cr13 without sacrificing corrosion resistance. It’s the steel you find in value shears that need to look polished, survive sanitation, and sharpen quickly.
Shear pairing & edge compatibility
- Student and backup bevel shears: Handles blunt work and quick trims.
- Micro-serrated blades: Carbides hold shallow serrations for fringe control.
Technique map
- Apprentices practicing sectioning or one-length cuts.
- Chemical-side backups that can take a beating from color and perms.
- Retail or reception touch-up shears where hygiene is essential.
Real-world stress tests
- Edge retention: Plan on 400–600 salon cuts (~2–3½ weeks at 25 cuts/day) before drag sets in—the World Material lists 50–52 HRC, so retention improves slightly over 3Cr13 but still trails pro steels.
- Impact/drop resilience: Edges roll instead of fracturing; quick honing restores bite.
- Weight & in-hand feel: Light overall mass can feel twitchy on dense hair; expect more pressure during scissor-over-comb.
Maintenance notes
Wipe, dry, and oil after each client to prevent residue from mashing the soft edge. Keep tension firm and schedule sharpening every 6–8 weeks for daily salon use.
Industry snapshot
- Entry-level OEM shears: Many private-label brands spec 4Cr13 for salon starter kits thanks to its stainless behavior and low replacement cost.
Trade-offs
- Edge life still limited; heavy slide work will feel grabby fast.
- Softer spine limits true convex conversions.
- Requires disciplined cleaning to avoid gunk that accelerates rolling.
Sources
Related: Steel Types • Edge Types • Scissor Maintenance