An orthopedic joint prosthesis comprising a first component having a soft metal bearing surface and a second component having a hard metal bearing surface. The soft metal bearing surface has a hardness of at least about 20 Rc, while the hard metal bearing surface having a hardness greater than the soft metal bearing surface by at least about 15 Rc. The soft and the hard metal bearing surfaces are configured to articulate with one another. The differential hardness of the hard metal bearing surface to the soft metal bearing surface is preferably at least about 1.5, and is preferably less than about 3. The hard metal bearing surface is preferably not more than about 40 Rc harder than the soft metal bearing surface. The hard metal bearing surface preferably has a hardness of between about 40 Rc and about 60 Rc.
