N690 Steel

Description

Bohler N690 is a cobalt-bearing Austrian stainless with 17% chromium at 58-60 HRC. Top corrosion resistance for European professional shears.

N690 Steel

Quick look

  • Hardness window: 58–60 HRC in typical scissor heat treatments.
  • Toughness: Cobalt and molybdenum additions stiffen the matrix and improve fatigue resistance through extended service.
  • Corrosion profile: 17% chromium—one of the highest among scissor-grade martensitic steels—delivers excellent resistance to salon moisture, dyes, and bleach.
  • Weight/feel: Standard density; performs well in both offset and classic handle geometries.

Composition breakdown

Böhler N690 (also designated N690CO to highlight its cobalt content) is an Austrian cobalt-bearing stainless with approximately 1.07% carbon, 17.0% chromium, 1.50% cobalt, 1.10% molybdenum, and 0.10% vanadium. The high carbon and chromium combination gives it a balance of hardness and corrosion resistance that few conventional steels match. Cobalt raises the solidus temperature, improving hot hardness and refining grain structure during heat treatment. Molybdenum adds toughness and pitting resistance, while a small vanadium addition helps control carbide grain size.

Why it matters

N690 occupies a practical sweet spot for European scissors manufacturers who need genuine high-performance steel without the cost and complexity of powder metallurgy. Its 17% chromium makes it one of the most corrosion-resistant martensitic scissor steels available—a significant advantage in chemical-heavy salon environments where even VG-10’s 15.5% chromium can stain under neglect. European makers appreciate the steel’s consistent heat treatment response and its ability to take a clean, serviceable edge.

Shear pairing & edge compatibility

  • European professional shears 5.5–7.0 in: The go-to steel for Austrian, German, and Italian manufacturers building mid-to-premium lines.
  • Barber shears for wet work: High chromium makes N690 particularly suited to barbering environments where blades stay wet between cuts.

Technique map

  • Wet cutting and classic barbering where constant moisture contact demands maximum corrosion resistance.
  • Salon environments with heavy chemical services—color, bleach, perm solutions—that punish lower-chromium steels.
  • All-purpose graduation and layering work where reliable edge stability matters more than extreme sharpness.

Real-world stress tests

  • Edge retention: Approximately 800–1,100 salon cuts before service is needed. The cobalt addition gives N690 a meaningful edge-life advantage over 440C.
  • Impact/drop resilience: Moderate—the 1.07% carbon makes it harder than 440A/B grades, so tip protection is important. Chips are repairable by an experienced sharpener.
  • Weight & in-hand feel: Neutral density with a solid, confidence-inspiring closure feel that European stylists expect.

Maintenance notes

N690’s high chromium content means it tolerates more abuse than most scissor steels, but it is not maintenance-free. Wipe after chemical contact, dry at end of day, and oil pivots weekly. The cobalt-stiffened matrix responds well to professional sharpening on standard equipment—no powder-metal specialist required. Service every 4–6 months in high-volume use.

Industry snapshot

  • European OEM production: N690 appears in professional lines from Austrian, German, and Italian manufacturers, often marketed under house brand names rather than by steel grade.

Trade-offs

  • HRC ceiling of 60 limits it for stylists who want ultra-hard dry-cutting edges; Japanese powder steels and VG-10 reach higher.
  • Less name recognition than VG-10 or 440C in the global salon market.
  • Cobalt content raises raw material cost above standard European stainless grades.

Sources

Related: 440C • Steel Types • Scissor Maintenance

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