Stainless steel or nitrided: what is the difference to the ear

Two materials dominate handpan manufacturing: stainless steel and nitrided steel. The choice affects the sound, maintenance, and longevity—but not to the extent one might imagine.

Sustain: the most audible difference

Stainless steel produces a significantly longer sustain. A note continues to resonate for several seconds, with harmonics that unfold after the initial strike. This is what creates that impression of a soundscape.

Nitrided steel has a shorter sustain and a more pronounced attack. The sound is drier, more percussive, and closer to what is heard on the first historical handpans.

Timbre: bright versus warm

Stainless steel sounds brighter, with prominent highs. Nitrided steel offers a warmer, rounder timbre, which some players prefer for solo or meditative practice.

Neither is better: they are simply two different colors. If you play with other instruments, stainless steel cuts through a mix better. Played solo, nitrided steel often has more character.

Maintenance: here, the gap is clear

Stainless steel does not rust. A dry microfiber cloth after each session is sufficient, with no oiling required.

Nitrided steel has undergone a surface treatment that protects it, but this protection wears off. It requires periodic oiling and is sensitive to humidity and sweat. In a humid region, or if your hands sweat, this is a significant factor.

Tuning stability

Given equal manufacturing quality, stainless steel holds its tuning longer: it is harder, and therefore less prone to shell deformation. This is also what makes it more difficult to work with—and explains part of the price difference.

How to know what you are buying

The material should be indicated on the product page, just like the scale and the pitch. A page that is silent on this point is a signal: it is information that every manufacturer knows and that no serious retailer would hide.

On our product pages, the exact material appears in the specifications table, along with the diameter, height, and weight.