120WV4(1.2516) steel for hamons

R. Trentin

R. Trentin

Joined
Jan 1, 2018
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115
Hi folks!!
I’m testing some steel for hamons, and i find in my country 120wv4 steel, looking to the chemical composition its very similar to W1 or W2 execept for the W and V.
Well, searching on foruns i found some makers using this steel, but any hamons!!
Does any one tried??
Im about to try but the distributor minimum order is a little bit expensive, so im trying to avoid loosing money… haha
And if any one has this steel in shop and wants to try would be great to!!
W1 and W2 i never found here…

B1170B51-6CA7-4F1A-B99D-A8E19042B4E1.png32BC2A95-A766-4F86-9D3A-CD7209F89C20.png
 
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The chromium could cause a problem, or manganese, in combination with the chromium, but I suspect it could work. I mean, if it's not expensive I think it's worth trying. Worst case scenario, you can just make some nice blades with no hamon.

Do you know what speed they recommend quenching this steel?
 
What i read about is that less manganese is better for hamons, this steel has lower manganese then w1 and w2.
Cromiun is a worry, and vanadium supose to get a better grain refiniment, i think this could affect hamon effects to.
I will search about quenching speed of this steel.
Unfortunelly its a little expensive to make just a test, minimun order is 15 pounds costing $11,50/pound. 52100 costs about $3,80/pound for example.
 
I would think any alloying element that is going to increase hardenability, will effect the steels likelyhood to show a more detailed hamon line.

I'm no metallurgist though, so how much the amount of chromium listed in this steel will change it, I'm not sure.
 
Found this quench graphic, and im trying to understand... hahaha

767.gif
 
This is the cct for w1. Notice how the pearlite start is closer to the one second range rather than the 10 second range.

https://imgur.com/a/OuEV8HR

As well as how short the martensite start is. Basically it's only a couple seconds, and only one second to achieve just martensite.
 
Now the distributor send me this report of the batch they are offering me, looks good because cr level is almost the same of W’s
Its chinese, but what i can do… 😂

DBE8D96A-B501-4EB7-A673-04B0D6157836.jpeg
 
Honestly looking at that chart you sent. I bet if you have the right equipment. Doing something with bainite could be interesting. maybe bainitic spine, martensitic edge? It wouldn't be easy. But I bet it could be done.
 
Judging by the chemical comp, you should be able to get a decent hamon with this steel. I don't think you will be able to get those really great hamons that come with W2, W1, Shiro, Tamahagane, but with Chromium at close to 0.3%, I think the hamons would be very similar to the type of hamon we get with 26C3.

Sourcing it is the issue.
 
Exactly Stuart, i was looking this now, its very close to 26c3.
Im talking with some friends, we will split the order and test!
Look comparing 26c3:

339C5584-269C-4098-B5A6-133747FBCBBE.png
 
Blankblank said:
Honestly looking at that chart you sent. I bet if you have the right equipment. Doing something with bainite could be interesting. maybe bainitic spine, martensitic edge? It wouldn't be easy. But I bet it could be done.
Click to expand...
It's not that simple man aha
 
R. Trentin said:
Exactly Stuart, i was looking this now, its very close to 26c3.
Im talking with some friends, we will split the order and test!
Look comparing 26c3:

View attachment 1880889
Click to expand...
That's quite a bit of vanadium and chromium for the carbon and manganese and random tungsten. Just my own opinion of course but I don't think it's the best forging alloy out there for hamons in a similar price point availability but if you have it why not?
 
Tungsten and Vanadium don't have appreciable affect on hamon. The 2 main limiting elements are Mn and Cr.
 
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