A-12???

P

Pak 21

Joined
Apr 8, 2003
Messages
284
A brother-in-law has some A-12 steel that he wants me to use to make a knife.I've never heard of A-12.
Is there such a thing and would it be good for knifemaking?
 
It is not a standard tool steel . Have no idea what it might be.
 
I thought he may have been talking about A-2,but I asked him twice if he was sure and he said it was A-12.
He said they used it to make blades for some kind of shear.
I'll ask him again.
 
Did a google search
A-12 steel didn't work
A12 steel didn't get anything either

I do believe that either he read it wrong or that it was typed wrong

hope this helps
 
I finally got the steel and it was marked A-2. It wasn't a big piece,but he said he could get more.
 
I forged some A2 for a while. It makes a great little utility blade. Don't make them too long, they get real hard and stay a little britle. Use it to cut with and it will suprise you. Use it to pry with and it might snap.

Larry
 
Actually, at HRC 60, according to Crucible's data sheets, A2 has a Charpy C-notch toughness of 41 FtLbs while O1 at 59-61 is rated at 30 FtLbs. A2 also has better wear resistance that O1.

I wouldn't advise using any tool steel as a pry bar, including A2 and O1. A2 makes excellent bowies and camp knives and will chop with the best. It is easy to grind and heat treat.
 
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