01 or A2 steel for two knives I'm having made

L

Laphroaig

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I'm having two knives made for me, and they will be used in the outdoors (backpacking, etc) to build shelter, skin animals, etc.

Which steel would you recommend? 01 or A1?

If you need more info, please feel free to ask any questions on use, etc.

Thanks,
Michael
 
Well, first question is why those two in particular.

Truth is I'm a bit agnostic. I like the L6 type steels- when done right they are really tough. I also love working 1084. It's a good steel for hardening and tempering, and can be tough enough for throwers and hard enough to satisfy most anyone. I'd go with O1 just because I've worked it more than A2, but any of them will do the job.

I'd go with 5160 or L6 for a big chopper rather than thicken the blade of something more brittle, but truth is as I said, a high carbon straight steel like 1084 can be made tough enough for the work.

For a smaller sheath blade, like a nessie or bushcrafter or whatnot, anything that will harden will work, really. Sometimes steel choice depends on preferred geometry, too. I like the L6 type for a convex edge, but a stiff scandi works fantastic in o1

All of this is personal opinion. I'm NOT the most experienced maker out there, and I haven't worked with every steel enough to know everything. And a lot of this is based on personal experience and preference.

BEtween the two you listed, O1.
 
I have a few Barkies in A2. It's a fine steel, and they take a great edge. But my blades in O1 take just as good an edge, and seem to hold it longer. The trade-off I guess is that O1 rusts easier. But I live in a dry climate, so no worries there. All that being said, I guess you can't go wrong with either, although I'd take O1 just based on my experiences.
 
hmmm... mike stewart said (I believe) that the only advantage to o1 is that it was easier to HT and work with...
???

idk though... just what he said.
(iirc)
 
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Well, there's a question here- is this narrowed down to YOUR choice, or the maker's? If it's the maker, definitely go with what he works with. 1070 from a guy who works it everyday is better than O1 from a maker who has never touched it before! But if this is your narrowed down choice, what are you looking for that narrowed your selection down like that?
 
eatingmuchface said:
hmmm... mike stewart said (I believe) that the only advantage to o1 is that it was easier to temper...
???

idk though... just what he said.
(iirc)
Click to expand...

Yeah, I think I saw that comment too. Well, he is the expert. All I can say is my limited personal experience with O1 has shown it to hold a better edge than A2.

And BTW, like the screen name, Laphroaig...
 
The maker asked me which one of those two steels I wanted. He has worked with both, but has used 01 more often.

Keep the opinions coming!! Thanks.....
 
Trust the maker :)

we all have different opinions, but that's why it's custom knives and not wally world.
 
You can get a spark from O-1 with a rock where you cannot with A2 as it is too hard. I consider it an advantage if you know how to do it. The trade off as mentioned before is rust with O-1, you just have to pay more attention to moisture. A2 is close to the stainless category. Either one is great though.

http://s305.photobucket.com/albums/nn230/abodude/?action=view&current=P3190030.flv

http://s305.photobucket.com/albums/nn230/abodude/?action=view&current=KnifeRockFireOne.flv

http://s305.photobucket.com/albums/nn230/abodude/?action=view&current=KnifeRockFireTwo.flv
 
I have at least 4 knives in O1 and they hold a great edge. I am always good about wiping them down after they get wet and if they do spot a bit a few passes with some sandpaper and they are good as new.
 
i would say go with whatever he is more comfortable with (sounds like O1). this will mean a better knife for you in the end.

basically, you will have a good knife either way as long as the steel is treated right.
 
My first experience with 01 was a couple of Randalls purchased back in the late eighties. I quickly found out that keeping one in a wet sheath too long was a sure way to go into orbit. Since then the best preventative I've used has been NuFinish auto wax...not really a wax, but a polymer of some type. You can't even get it off with acetone, you have to use abrasives. The bottom line was I haven't had any rust issues with 01 or A2 (Barkies) since that first episode.
 
Hmmm 2nd post and asking questions like that? No descriptions or styles of knives you are having made? Why don't you stick around here and read the forums for awhile, and do some research on different steels in the maker's forum?
If you are smart you will go with what the builder has used the most...
 
Either one will do the job. A2 will resist rust a bit more. I'd say flip a coin :D because both are damn fine steels.
Scott
 
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