A2 for a small caping knife?

[valcas1]

I want to make a batch of small caping knives for my hunting buddies, 7 knives total.

I am thinking of using A2 in either 1/16" or 3/32" I am leaning towards 3/32"

The profiles will be cut by David at Great Lakes.

Question #1 do you think that A2 is a good choice of steel for this application, if not please give me your recommendation.

Question #2

Should I heat treat before grinding with such thin stock? I am comcerned about warping if I were to grind first with such thin stock. What are some of the pitfall to watch out for.

I need to have these sent out for heat treating as I am not there yet. Lack of equipment and knowledge.

Last question, for this post. For those of you who have put jimping on a knife. what setup did you use? What kind of files are needed for small jimping on the spine?

 

[TekSec]

I think A2 would be fine. I would HT first, a sharp 50 grit will take the material off quickly with very little heat build up post-HT and alleviates any warping concerns. Good luck!

 

[Nathan the Machinist]

Other than possibly a little rust, A2 is a great steel for that application. Thin and hard.


It is not too bad to grind while hard. But I would temper it at perhaps 450, which is pretty cool for something you're going to grind thin after HT. I'd probably take the edge to .015" before HT, then take it on down to .010 after HT. And aim for 60-62 HRC


Edit:

You might want to look into Paul Bos for your A2 HT.