A-2 Tool steel

johnwaynesandw

johnwaynesandw

Joined
Mar 18, 2005
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Does A-2 tool steel get a patina like carbon blades? I recently started using my Bark river Upland special. I used it to cut some meat and some fruit the past few days. the first time I cut a pear and after use I rinsed it with fresh water dried it well and wiped it down with a light coating of oil on the blade. The next day I pull out the Barkie to cut some more fruit and I noticed it looked a little grey. The grey seems to get darker with each piece of fruit I cut.



Thanks,
John
 
The few blades I have in A2, including a BRK&T Mikro that has seen alot of use, have not darkend like plain carbon 1095 blades I have, instead I see the light "greying" you mention.
 
I have been told that A-2 is a high carbon steel and does need to be taken care of, sounds like you take care of your things, Good JoB!
 
A2 is a normal carbon toolsteel and the patina it developes is called RUST. Haha. It's not as bad as O1 or the other less highly alloyed carbon steels, but you do have to watch it. Cutting fruit will certainly cause some type of patina to develope.
 
The acid from fruit juice will put a patina on an A2 blade. Same thing happened to an A2 blade I have, only my patina is grayish-blue.
 
The patina taken on by carbon steels when exposed to acids is a protectant against dammaging rust. A-2 is not exception except that the patina takes a different color than say 1095. R.J. Martin makes wood lined sheaths with his a-2 knives to help prevent staining.
 
A2 will develop a patina with use - or you can create one by immersing it in vinegar, etc. Fruit tends to be acidic, and thus produces patina.

A2 is a bit slower to develop a patina than 1095, in my experience, but it will develop one.

Personally, I like a well patinaed carbon blade. Once a get a good patina on a blade, I put mineral oil on the blade to help prevent any further oxidation/rusting!
 
Thanks guys for all the replies. I am glad to hear that the A-2 steel gets a patina. I really like the way a good used knife looks with a patina.







Thanks again,
John
 
All you need to know is, A2 is some good stuff. Take care of it, and it will take care of your needs.
 
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