any decent air-hardening alternatives to CPM 3V for sword steels?

crimsonfalcon07

crimsonfalcon07

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I've been trying to get some CPM 3V in 6" x 36" length since May now for a project I'd like to do (basically, a katana-style blade with a western-style guard, ala Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time series, for those fantasy buffs out there), but both times I've ordered it from Aldo (in May and again a couple weeks ago), they've had an issue with the webstore, and I've gotten notified a week or two later that the steel actually isn't in stock, and Aldo ended up having to refund me.

As you may know, I get my HT done by Peters, and they only can do air-hardening steels in that length, and 3V is amazing stuff for sword steel regardless. Aldo had no idea when he'd be able to get more 3V, and after a 6 month wait to try to get some, I just don't know what to do. He's currently calling to see if L6 might be a good alternative, but I'm not sure if Peters can/will do L6 in a 36" length.

Is there any air-hardening steel comparable to 3V for sword use, or another supplier who may have it in stock with a product comparable in quality to Aldo's stuff? I'm kind of at a loss here as to what options I might have. Any advice would be appreciated.
 
I'm hearing very interesting things about PD-1, but I'm not sure if it would be appropriate for your application. Of the more common air-hardening steels I think A2 would be worth a good long look.

I would talk to Aldo, Brad at Peters' and Chuck at Alpha Knife Supply. Whatever you're looking for, if Aldo or Chuck can't help you get it, and Brad can't HT, it's probably not worth fooling with.

crimsonfalcon07 said:
...they've had an issue with the webstore, and I've gotten notified a week or two later that the steel actually isn't in stock, and Aldo ended up having to refund me....
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You're just gonna have to break down and use the phone to really work effectively with any/all three of those guys. That's just the way it is... and you'll get much more information, much faster than bouncing e-mails back and forth anyway.
 
Definitely. I don't generally even get any response from emails to Aldo these days. A2, you think, for a sword?
 
A-2 is pretty tough stuff. I believe quite a few folks have made a sword from it. A set of long quench plates might be useful here.
 
I quench my A2 in still air. With an austenitization temperature of 1775ºF and a soak of 35 minutes, I get around 62.5HRC after tempering at 400ºF (with a dry ice sub-zero treatment in between the two tempers).

Not sure whether A2 would be suited to a sword, it's certainly very tough in my experience, but I'm not sure exactly how it compares to stuff like 1075 or 1084. I assume you would temper the steel back more for a sword... I would bet that A2 would probably be great!

It's something I want to try some day too, so I'll be interested to
 
Have a look at S7. Not the edge holding of 3V, but totally blows it away in the toughness category. Plus you can buy it from McMaster-Carr already ground in many thicknesses.
I have made several big choppers from it and it performs just fine.
 
You can try SB Specialty Metals in Texas, Jantz or our warehouse at Niagara Specialty Metals. There is plenty of 3V available if you still want it.
 
Thanks all for the suggestions. I'll look into those places and steels. Didn't even know most of them existed!

Stacy, thanks for that link. Always up for some more reading. Much appreciated.
 
scott D. at SBmetals is a good man and since aldo cant get you the 3v i bet he can and if not look into the PD1 so far my test blade is holding up great even at 62 rc
 
I bought some A2 a month or two ago to make some test swords from. I think its one of the few affordable air hardening steels out there that is tough enough for a sword. I haven't had a chance to make anything yet but ill report back the results.
 
calculate the cost of time vs the steel or even the handle scales and g with what you find

i pay more for CPM/PM steels due to the ease of use and the higher strength over cast steels
aldo has always had great prices but i have a feeling that he too will suffer a bit of a price increase do to the plain face that the cot to make steel keeps going up
 
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