In material science terms, harder steels take sharper edges, but are more brittle and hence chip more easily, while softer steels are tougher, and are used for knives such as cleavers which must be tough but do not require a sharp edge.
Harder steels take sharper edges. This is in material science terms. Harder steels are more brittle and hence chip more easily. This is in material science terms. Softer steels are tougher. Harder steels are used for knives such as cleavers. This was in material science terms. These cleavers must be tough. Harder steels do not require a sharp edge. This is in material science terms.