Rockwell of JA Henckels stainless?

Off-topic Chatter
1

Anyone know the rockwell hardness of JA Henckels stainless?

I just borrowed a JA Henckels 16500-100 4” stainless steel knife from my dad’s wife. I’m trying to figure out the rockwell and type of steel. It was just so easy to sharpen compared to my cheap 8cr13mov and 12c27 knives. I went from butter knife dull to face shaving sharp, and I have soft blonde hair. With a mirror polish on the bevels.

-Sharpened at 400 grit alumoxide for 5 mins
-medium Arkansas for 2 or 3 min
-translucent Arkansas for 1 or 2 minutes
-then stropped for about 150 strokes each side on black emery
-Did this at about 15-20 degree each side

Was just surprised because this took 15 minutes and I can now shave with it. Either it’s just good steel, low vanadium, or pretty softly hardened. This would normally take 20-25 minutes on a 8cr13mov knife. It seems impossible to find out information on this brand’s steel.

2

Isn’t a lot of that overall geometry and thinness for lack of a better word?

I mean you can sharpen a 8cr13mov knife to that degree, but it would take longer cause its not gonna be anywhere near as thin to start with.

3

I thought that might be what’s up, but my kershaw 8cr13mov folders are hollow ground except for the top 1/3 of the blade. And in the hollow ground part, it’s just as thin, if not thinner than the JA.

4

I think (I’m not sure) that kitchen knives are generally softer than folder/pocket knives. They’re made to be easier to sharpen even though you’ll have to do it more often.