52100 Vs W2

[tallwingedgoat]

What are the opinons on this one? I noticed both to be very popular steels that is essentially used for the same type of knives. But ever since W2 became scarce, 52100 has gained wider appreciation.

Seems both are simliar. Except 52100 relies on chromium for hardening, while W2 uses vanadium. The latter I'm lead to believe is more effective.

My question is: is 52100 a "better" steel, or just a next best thing?

 

[Ed Caffrey]

I've used both steels extensively. Both will cut very well, and with a single quench, they are comparable. The real difference comes with a multiple quench. It has very little benifit on W-2, and it will still cut almost up to par with 52100. The big difference comes with durability (toughness). The W-2 blade will give out (crack/break) at about 45-50 degrees of flex. The 52100 blade will repeatedly flex to 90 degrees without edge cracking. These are simply the tests that I have conducted, and are not all inclusive. The point being that I perfer the 52100 because of the added benifits I can achieve with multiple quenchs. Cutting ability is paramount, but if you can achieve other benifits along with this, thats worth the effort for me.

http://www.mtn-webtech.com/~caffrey

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Ed Caffrey
"The Montana Bladesmith"