A2 cryo?

[AA Forge]

I've been thinking of giving A2 a try for some of my knives, but I was wandering how important a cryo treatment is for this steel. I have an even heat kiln and I'm very experienced with heat treating oil quench steel such as 1084, 1095, O1 and 52100, but this would be my first air hardening steel.

Thanks in advance!

 

[samuraistuart]

A little bladesmith terminology we have all sort of agreed upon. "Cryo" is Liquid Nitrogen temps of -300°F. "Sub zero" is dry ice slurry temp of -100°F. "Cryo" will reduce retained austenite and ALSO permit formation of carbides upon tempering. "Sub Zero" will only reduce retained austenite, but NOT do anything for carbide precip upon tempering. A2 "should" receive at least the sub zero dry ice slurry, because the retained austenite of a quench from 1750°F should be minimized for a fine stable edge. Because the other carbon steels you work with (1084, 52100 etc) are usually only quenched around 1500°F, retained austenite is not a concern.

 

[AA Forge]

Thank you, that answers my question!