5160 vs A2

N

Neo

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Sep 12, 2002
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5160 is used on a lot bigger knives for toughness, but I can't find any Charpy values of this steel.

How does 5160 compare to A2 (or L6) in toughness (and wear resistance) ?
 
5160 is spring steel with lower carbon and alloy content thus it would has much higher toughness than A2.
 
No testing data?
I would like to know how much higher the toughness is.

Here Charpy C-notch values for A2 and L6

A2 - 56J @ 60 and 42J @ 61

L6 - 58J @ 61 and 93J @ 57
 
unless you are going to need corrosion resistance, 5160 is better in most ways, and far better in toughness. I have no data handy but there are comparisons all over the inter webs

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/149590-A2-vs-5160-opinions
http://www.knifeforums.com/forums/showtopic.php?tid/929374/
http://forums.scrapyardknives.com/ubbthreads.php/ubb/showflat/Number/116815/site_id/1
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/495390-A2-or-5160

and the list goes on and on
 
Charpy numbers are no to be taken as absolutes ! They are just guides .
In general carbon levels determine toughness so obviously 5160 is going to be tougher than A2. 5160 is used fo automobile springs for it's toughness and fatigue strength. A2 is a tool steel , high carbon for wear resistance etc. Comparing the two is apples and oranges !!
 
I probably don't have as much experience with as many steels as some here, but my 5160 Fallen Oak Forge seems to hold it's edge better than anything else I have. The only steel I have that sharpens easier is 14C28CN. Maybe I'm not chopping and cutting hard enough as the edge retention on this thing is unreal.

Mine has darkened a little in use, but nothing even remotely close to rust. The woman uses it as a food knife quite often too, which is pretty funny since it's 1/4" thick.
 
mete said:
Comparing the two is apples and oranges !!
Click to expand...

It might be, but it is always interesting to have an idea how certain steels compare for a certain property
For example Ankerson is ranking steel on edge retention.

Ok, it's tougher than A2 but in what degree? Is it tougher than L6 ,A8, 3V, S5, S8, WP7V, K890, unimax ...
I just want to know where to put 5160 for toughness among all other (knife)steel.

It's strange one can easily find charpy numbers for most knife steels but difficult for a common steel as 5160.
(I'm also interested where to rank 52100 for toughness)
 
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