__A2 vs. 01__

ISKski

ISKski

Gold Member
Joined
Apr 11, 2011
Messages
1,082
So I am having a custom knife made for me and my options are A2 and O1. Its a bushcraft style knife, will use as main hiking camping knife, I don't plan on doing much batoning with it but there may be times when I might have to, but I was just wondering about the pros:thumbup: - cons:thumbdn: of each and what you guys would recommend , the quicker i get an answer the better!!

Thanks in advance for you advice,
ISK
 
I have knives in both, and can't say I can tell much of a difference. Maybe it depends on the HT, geometry, ergonomics just as much as the steel.
They both make great knife steel.
I've been pretty rough on both steels, I have not had either roll or chip on me. I don't twist or pry, but have tried batoning each.
My A2 is in the Bark River Bravo 1 and IMP.
The O1 is from Fiddleback Forge, and is just great. Andy takes his 01 up to about 60.
 
I was leaning towards A2 because you see a lot more knives made in a2 so i figured there were some advantages, this knife is brought up to around 60/61 in 01 as well... not sure if its the same in a2, anyone else have an opinion?
 
flip a coin, little more wear resistance from A2. Neither is stainless, both generally taken to nearly the same hardness, roughly equivalent impact toughness.
 
They are both good steels. My knives in A2 seem a bit more rust resistant than my 01 knives although it is generally a non issue if you use some common sense:)
A2 would be my first choice.
 
As others have said, both great steels that will stand up to tougher use. I've had several knives in A2 and 2 knives in 01 and would give a slight edge to A2 for being more corrosion resistant. The only knives I've ever had rust issues with were in 01.
 
O1 is the classic bushcraft steel. As noted before, A2 - better wear resistance and better stain resistance. O1 should be easier to sharpen and may take a sharper edge due to smaller and fewer carbides. A2 is a more expensive steel. Both will be great.
 
ISKski said:
I was leaning towards A2 because you see a lot more knives made in a2 so i figured there were some advantages, this knife is brought up to around 60/61 in 01 as well... not sure if its the same in a2, anyone else have an opinion?
Click to expand...

How do you see a lot more knives in A2 than O1 :confused:
I would say the opposite.
O1 is cheaper and easier to deal with for a knife maker
 
I have both steels, and find that my 01 blades rust like mad. It may be my hand sweat is like acid, but I would stick with A2. YMMV
 
Why not ask the maker which steel they prefer? They could give you some feedback from personal experience and past customers that could help sway your decision.

Congrats on the new knife!
Alan
 
^^^ I do believe that my knife is being made by the same person who made the one in your avatar. :)
 
Well, in that case... mine is CPM S35VN which I really like so far, but where A2 vs O1 is concerned with a Tusker...

Gossman Knives
Edged Toolmaker
Join Date
Apr 2004
Location
Hogging off steel on a belt grinder in (Gods Country) MD.
Posts
7,936
Both steels are excellent for the Tusker. I've beat the #?!$ (my edit) out of my original Big Boar Tusker and it's O1. I do prefer A2 over O1 because A2 is a slight bit tougher and is alittle less prone to rust although if not cared for, it will rust but those things shouldn't steer you away from O1 if you like that steel. With that said, either is a good choice. Some folks just have a love for O1.
Scott
A sharp mind
a sharp knife
and the skills to use both
survival starts here
www.gossmanknives.com

Hope this helps!
Alan
 
O1 gets black spots and FAST... just humid weather or leathing in a leather sheath for more than an hour. They are really close performance-wise, but I'd got with A2 as it has better wear resistance and is approximately as tough within reason. If you intend to baton, maybe O1 differentially heat treated might be a better answer. I'm not sure I've seen many people do a differential on A2 since it's air hardening (the "A" in A2).
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top