4140 Steel

[Bob Lyon]

Anyone try 4140 for knives? A spring shop in town uses this.
Bob

 

[Ravenclaw]

It hardens well but doesn't have good egde retention. Hope this helps.

 

[Ed Caffrey]

4140:
C-.38-.43
Cr-.8-1.1
Mn-.75-1.0
Mo-.15-.25
si-.15-.35

This is a "tough" steel, used in impact type applications. The relative low amount of carbon (.38-.43) means that hardness will be minimal. I have made some "cheap" throwing type blades from it, using a sulficant quench to get acceptable hardness for the application. But nothing that I would call servicable for a good cutting implement.
http://www.mtn-webtech.com/~caffrey

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Ed Caffrey
"The Montana Bladesmith"

 

[Ken Cox]

The firearms industry uses 4140 extensively.
If you have a blue steel mainstream firearm, the manufacturer amost cetainly made it out of 4140.

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Luke 22:36, John 18:6-11