Cutting efficiency is best with which of the following materials?
Hand instrument are made of stainless steel, carbon steel, or blades of tungsten carbide soldered to a steel handle. Carbon steel is able to keep a cutting edge better than stainless steel.
Carbide blades, however, are the most efficient in cutting, even though they are somewhat brittle.
Ref: Operative dentistry modern theory and practice Marzouk page 59
Carbide
Stainless steel
Carbon steel
Cobalt-chromium alloys