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Metallurgy is the science and technology of metals, involving their extraction from ores and modification for use. Cutlery, such as knives, is a type of cutting implement. Cutlery steel is typically made from iron with added carbon, ranging from 0.35 to 1 percent.123

Stainless steel, a common material for cutlery, is an alloy steel usually containing 10 to 30 percent chromium. This chromium content, along with low carbon, provides resistance to corrosion and heat. Martensitic stainless steels, a type used for cutlery, contain chromium and carbon, allowing them to be hardened through heat treatment. The properties of cutlery, like edge retention and corrosion resistance, depend on the specific steel composition and processing.435

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