A-2 tool steel

[seanystrangle]

sorry not sure if this is the place to ask but how is A2 tool steel with corrosion resistance? would a blade made of that be good for snowy wet weather?

 

[Alberta Ed]

It has about 5% chromium so it is more resistant to rust than 1095 or similar steels, but it will rust eventually. That said, I have never had a problem with my Bark River in A2, with only minimal care.

 

[seanystrangle]

awesome thank you so much

 

[Ben Dover]

Just bear in mind that A-2 is NOT stainless!

It will rust much more quickly than stainless or even a semi-stainless like D-2.

I've had few rust issues with my A-2 knives, but I live in a very dry climate.

 

[seanystrangle]

so its basicly i would just have to clean it more often?

 

[Josh K]

so its basicly i would just have to clean it more often?

Or keep it dry.

Bar that you could use mineral oil or a Tuf-Cloth to inhibit the formation of rust. You could also patina it with some mustard or vinegar.

 

[seanystrangle]

You could also patina it with some mustard or vinegar.

how do i do that if i may ask?

 

[Bigfattyt]

mustard, you just put drops or smears of the mustard on in what ever pattern you want. Then let sit for a suitable period of time. The longer you let it sit the deeper the etch will be. Then you wash it off. Some will say you should counteract the acid with a base, after cleaning off. The blotches of mustard will leave neat patterns in different colors of blues and grays.

I typically leave the mustard on for at least several hours. Though times as little as 15 mintues or more will leave discolorations.

I have left them on overnight and still been ok.

the steel here is 5160 and the mustard was left on for 20 minutes or so, for several different layers. Just easy as pie. It does keep the steel from being as rust agressive, but a blade with a patina will still rust.

 

[Josh K]

Or you could put a base vinegar patina on it and then do the edge in mustard.

Presto, hamon patina.

 

[seanystrangle]

thats awesome thank you so much

 

[UtilityEngineer]

would this mustard/vinegar etching work with the SR101 used by Swamp Rat? I have an idea for some modification that I want to do to a couple of my blades, and am looking for a relatively non-toxic (I live in an apartment) and hopefully simple way to etch.