1075 Steel Hamon?

David Stifle

David Stifle

Joined
Nov 20, 2008
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I've seen some nice hamon's folks have got using Aldo's 1075. My questions are: what in his composition allows his 1075 to take a hamon; as I understand it, 1075 does not usually take a hamon. And second, does Aldo's 1075 take as nice a hamon as W2? I've never used his 1075 before, thus the somewhat simple questions.
 
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If what he has right now is the same stuff he's had in the past, the advantage of it is that it was alloyed with less manganese than normal 1075. That makes it more shallow hardening, and very good for hamons. I believe low manganese 1075 is also referred to as "WHC" tool steel.

I've not used it so I can't answer your second question.

ETA: just went to his site and had a look at the alloy specs for his 1075. It says: Mn- .350. The W2 at his site has Mn- .215. That's more in line with what I consider to be low mang, and what makes that W2 (and Don Hanson's) especially shallow hardening. You may want to talk to Aldo to ask him about the 1075 he has right now.
 
I've used both 1075 and W2 from Aldo recently and got much more detailed activity with the W2.
Both are good though.
 
Thanks Salem,

well, I had already ordered it before I thought of the hamon issue. I knew his 1075 was different, but wasn't sure how. I also have some W2 on backorder, so one way or the other I'll get that darned hamon!
 
Ive got pretty good results with stuff I got from him a little while back. Not as good as the w2 but still pretty nice. Have not tried to much with it though. The big thing will be watching your temps and playing with them. Also your quench medium may play a big part as well.
 
What quench oil did you use? I'm not sure if this steel needs a fast medium or not. I assume not?
 
I have been using parks 50. Before that I was using brine and had good results but its risky. Warm conola oil is the oil I used before the parks 50. I just broke down and ordered a 5gal jug of the parks and its great stuff. Gets killer hamons on my 1095 and w2 and not as risky as brine or water. Its pricey though.
 
I found an old post by Kevein Cashen on 1075. He quenches in brine or Parks 50, and tempers around 385 for a 58-60 RC. He really likes this steel and pattern welds it to W2 for his swords. It moves well under the hammer, and he says it's easy to heat treat. Can't wait to get it!
 
Good stuff, yeah Ive scene pics of swords and tantos that are pattern welded 1075 and W2. Looks killer. Has the pattern that is really mild but visible and also with hamon. Really cool combination of effects.
 
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