A2 and 01, need experienced opinions.

M

miden

Joined
Sep 9, 2005
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835
Hi Guys,

Can you give me some opinions regarding A2 and 01 tool steels?
I normally use stainless but someone has requested a knife in tool steel.
It seems that that both of the above mentioned steels are good, I was just wondering which would be better for a hunting knife, taking into account of course, edge retention (most important) and strength. Can you chop and pry a bit with it? Also, how good an edge will they take? I will have the HT done by a pro.
Any advice will be appreciated.
Thanks

Mike
 
A-2 should be a bit tougher. Chris Reeve one piece knives are A-2 , they'll certainly hold up well.
 
I like 0-1 because it can be differentially HT'd. It seems to have a really good balance between edge-holding and ease of sharpening. I have yet to have an edge crack or chip on one of my blades but I also triple-temper back to about 59Rc. I did, however have a customer request a repolish on a chef's blade that his wife left in the sink over the weekend. After 2 days that blade had already developed rust spots that were pitted below the blade surface. I don't know if this will happen to A-2 quite so readily, but in either case make sure your customer is told about proper maintenance and care if they want the knife as a user. Have a good one.
 
With commercial H.T. I would go with A-2, it takes a fine edge and holds it well. about the same to work (maybe a little less gummy)
 
Does A-2 produce a lot of sparks when grinding? Does it get pitting rust?

Edit: Nevermind, I just remembered that I had worked with A-2 a couple years back and there were a lot of sparks. But anyway, how is the corrosion resistance?
 
Why not look up the various strength and toughness values at different hardness between the two materials
 
A2 will rust without some care. O1 will rust if you look at it crosswise.

Seriously I think A2 is superior to O1. I don't differentially heat treat anythig but 10XX steels. I don't see the advantage to weakening tool steel blades just for an appearance, which is what differential heat treating does.
 
I switch between A2 and O1 mostly based on corrosion resistance, both are good tools steels but if I feel someone will not care properly for the blade A2 is the better choice. Both make a good chopper with good edge retention and sharpen to a fine edge. Both work pretty well and can be sanded to a fine finish.
 
They are both excellent tool steels but I think A2 is a bit better in toughness and rust resistance.
Scott
 
A2 is very similar to O1 according to the charts. The difference being the chromium in the A2 (5.25%) giving it better rust resistance.

If you look at crucible's data sheets:

http://crucibleservice.com/datash/dsA2v12.pdf?CFID=605780&CFTOKEN=27179701

You'll see it "scores" about the same as O1 in their wear resistance/toughness chart.



My personal experience with both is that I much prefer A2.

I only use O1 so that I can heat-treat here in the shop. A2 is sent to Paul Bos.




And yes, A2 produces a TON of sparks that break down quickly - less of a "tree", more of a "bush", if you know what I mean.



Dan
 
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