I have been making knives for about 2 years and have mostly used 1095 steel. A little bit of 01 too but not much. What is your experience on 1095? I know for me it has performed well. It holds a fairly good edge and Is easy to sharpen. I heat to about 1475*, quench in water, and temper at 425*. Im not sure but I would guess it is about 60 - 62 hrc. But I would liketo start using different kinds of alloys. I will be heat treating with an electric kiln (I know I should send them to a pro but i'm kind of stubborn that way). What I would like to hear is just general info, experiences, likes, dislikes, preferences, heat treating methods, etc. for diffferent alloys. I am generally looking at:

L6
1084
5160
52100

lower alloy steels, but would also like to try some high alloy and stainless:

d2
a2
440c
ats-34
154cm


I need your advice, I am no metallurgist. This seemed the best place to discuss this. I have very little experience with many of these but would like to vary my steel a little.

Thank you for all...

I'd suggest you go here. http://www.crucibleservice.com/

There's lots of information on most of those steels.

The steels I presently use are CPM-3V, S30V and 154CM. Crucible makes all of them.

Nothing wrong with being stubborn. That's what got most of us into these low paying jobs, like knifemaking... :)

Hi there, Not sure if you forge, or have been stock removing. if you forge, you'll like 1084 and 5160 - moves really sweet under the hammer. 52100 is a bit slower to move with forging , like O-1, but both take a great edge if you try the multi-staqge HT cycles - both have enough alloy in them that they benefit from the triple tempering stages etc. I personally reckon they respond to some deep freeze / cryogenic treatment as well (stick them in the freezer for a few days).

For the pure stock removal, 440C is the way to start, and since I just discovered the benefits of cryogenic quenching, I strongly recommend that as well. The problem is with HT - all the high-alloys really need (there's no point scrimping on this) good temperature-controlled HT systems. That means the pros. The low-alloy carbon steels are great 'cos most people can build the necessary equipment themselves quite cheaply.

On the other steels, D-2 is a fantastic steel. Not quite stainless but nearly theere and has a strange grain structure that is visibly different and takes some getting used to. More difficult to grind but I reckon that's a small price to pay for the extra performance. D-2 cuts and cuts and cuts. Great for working knives when you forget the sharpening rod.

Those are my views anyway, IMHO. Cheers.

I dont forge right now, but I would like to someday

thanks for your replies

Information for you to ponder (http://www.keytosteel.com)

Have you used that reference? It looks interesting, but a bit pricey for us working types.

Along with the Crucible site, Bohler/Uddeholm's North American site at www.bucorp.com has a lot of information of tool steels. There are many downloads available on everything you need to know, and more.
Their internet sales site: www.flatground.com has the most reasonable prices I have found for A2 and D2. They also handle O1 and S7 on this site.
Except for my S30V addiction, I get most of my steel from this site.

I use the free demo's,I agree in the price it's pretty absurd for what it is.

Steve, you might want to check with Crucible on A2 and D2. A couple years ago they were selling surface ground A2 in 3/16" x 2" x 36" for about $25. That's a heck of a good price, but it might have been a sale item. With the new tarriffs they will probably beat Uddeholm on most things. Crucible also makes a lot of other of the tool steels like O1, etc.

Thanks for that link though. I've asked for some information on some of those new powder steels Uddeholm lists. The only one of theirs I've used is RWL-34 and it's just a great stainless steel, best polish I've even seen.

Jerry,
I inquired about two of Uddeholm's RSP steels, Vanadis 4 and 10 last year and was told the weren't supplying them in shapes/sizes that I was looking for. I would still like to try them sometime, although S30V has filled the need I saw for them.
I think the flatground.com steels are made here. They ship from various U.S.A addresses.
The Crucible price you mentioned for A2 is better though. Mostly I use A2 for thin blades like kitchen and fillet knives. I will get quotes the next time.

I really agree with JHossom. The steels I like best are S30V and 154CM. My favorite though would have to be S30V, it seems to keep a better edge!:D :D :D :D