The invention relates to a steel wire suitable for making a spring or medical wire products which remarkably improve the performance of conventional stainless steel wire. The steel comprises (in wt. %): C: 0.02 to 0.15, Si: 0.1 to 0.9, Mn: 0.8 to 1.6, Cr 16 to 20, Ni: 7.5 to 10.5, Mo: ≤3, Al: 0.5 to 2.5, Ti: ≤0.15, N: ≤0.05, optional elements, and impurities, balance Fe, wherein the total amount of Cr and Ni is 25 to 27 wt. %, and wherein the steel has a microstructure including, in volume % (vol. %), martensite: 40 to 90, austenite: 10 to 60, and delta ferrite: ≤5.