Nitrided Steel Handpan

A nitrided steel handpan produces a warm, almost ceramic-like tone that is fairly dry, with a crisp attack. On a stainless steel model, such as the Ember Steel handpan, each note resonates longer. Here, the sustain is shorter. Sustain is the length of time a note continues to vibrate after being struck. This shorter sustain leaves more space between notes, so when you play quickly, each one remains distinct instead of getting lost in the resonance of the previous notes. The extent of this difference varies from instrument to instrument because sustain depends heavily on the maker. A nitrided handpan is also considered to have good projection, making it well suited for playing outdoors or in a highly resonant space.

To care for a nitrided steel handpan, wipe it down after every playing session and regularly protect it with a thin layer of oil.

First, play with clean, completely dry hands and remove any rings, bracelets, or watches because the nitrided surface is susceptible to micro-scratches. Once you have finished playing, wipe the handpan with a soft, dry cloth, then store it in a dry place and outside its case whenever possible. For a deeper clean, apply isopropyl alcohol to a soft cloth and wipe the top and bottom of the instrument, including the rim and cavity. Isopropyl alcohol also removes the oil, so you will need to reapply it afterwards. However, never use acetone because it may damage the adhesive holding the shells together and the finish. Keep in mind that nitrided steel requires more frequent oiling in humid or salty air.

For more information, read our dedicated article on handpan care and cleaning.

A nitrided steel handpan is particularly well suited to fast, percussive playing, rhythmic styles, and dense or chromatic scales because its shorter notes remain distinct from one another, keeping your patterns crisp and clear even at high speeds.

Yes, a nitrided steel handpan can rust because nitriding helps protect it against rust but does not make it rustproof. It is much more resistant than raw steel, but nitrided steel is not stainless steel.

The primary cause is moisture left on the metal, particularly perspiration from your hands, which is salty and slightly acidic. Other causes include condensation when a cold case is opened in a warm room, ambient humidity, and salty air. A deep scratch can also expose the steel beneath the nitrided layer and allow corrosion to develop. Rust resistance also varies depending on the maker and the nitriding process parameters.

If rust spots appear on your handpan, it’s important to act quickly: clean the affected area, apply a few drops of oil, and polish it in small circles without pressing down or sanding, then wipe it clean. This method is suitable for surface rust, which appears as orange to light brown spots that feel smooth to the touch, usually around the edges of the notes or the instrument itself.

By contrast, deep rust forms small pits, flakes, or dark brown to black spots that do not come off with gentle polishing, indicating that the nitrided layer has been breached. In this situation, it’s best not to treat your handpan yourself because a tuner can often save it by polishing and then retuning it. In most cases, rust has no direct effect on the sound unless the damage is extreme, but it should be removed quickly to prevent it from spreading.

A nitrided handpan changes colour over time when rust begins to form on its surface because perspiration from your hands and humid or salty air can alter its colour if it is not properly maintained. Its original colour usually ranges from dark grey to brown or black, depending on the nitriding process, and heat-treated nitrided steel can even develop deep hues.

The steel’s patina also varies with the alloy and the oils used during manufacturing, so two nitrided instruments will not necessarily have the same colour. Hammer marks and small surface scratches do not affect the sound of your handpan.

A nitrided handpan holds its tuning well over time and is considered more stable than a raw steel handpan, though no specific duration can be guaranteed. In fact, tuning stability comes from the instrument’s overall construction and depends primarily on how the percussionist plays it.

Yes, you can take your nitrided steel handpan outdoors and even to the beach, provided you give it extra care. Salt accelerates oxidation, and both sea air and humid climates require more care for this material than for stainless steel.

It is therefore best to wipe down your handpan as soon as you finish playing, clean it after every exposure to salt, and never leave it in contact with water. Then, once you bring your handpan back indoors, let the case return to room temperature before opening it to prevent condensation. This way, you can enjoy your instrument outdoors, provided you oil it more frequently in salty air or a humid climate.

The price of a nitrided steel handpan varies mainly according to the maker, scale, number of notes, and complexity of the instrument, all of which have a greater impact than the steel itself.