why won't a magnet stick to stainless steel
cpovey. Steel is an alloy of iron and carbon. Stainless steel adds Chrome and Nickel, and possibly other elements, like Vanadium and Manganese, depending upon the properties desired. Most stainless is not magnetic, but obviously stainless steel knives are magnetic, otherwise they would not stick to the magnetic holders.Wikipedia has an explanation, but it's kind of complex. Basically, it depends upon how the steel is cooled and how the crystals form determines if the steel is magnetic or not.povey. Steel is an alloy of iron and carbon. Stainless steel adds Chrome and Nickel, and possibly other elements, like Vanadium and Manganese, depending upon the properties desired. Most stainless is not magnetic, but obviously stainless steel knives are magnetic, otherwise they would not stick to the magnetic holders.