Anyone ever used F7 or D3?

T

TALON158

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Feb 23, 2006
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Got a ted dowell hunter many years ago, at the 1990 guild show. When I showed it to Ted, he mentioned it was made of F7, a steel he was experimenting with in the 70s, if I remember correctly... Also have a beautifully finished hunter in D3 by DE Henry, who mentioned that D3 holds an edge extremely well.
For obvious reasons, these are safe queens, but I have always wondered how much better do they hold an edge over regular steels? Anyone ever made or tested knives out of these steels?
Talon
 
Ted Dowell used F8, it is not a typical grade, he's the only that's used it, anyone else that has made a knife out of it got it from him. D3 is a higher carbon version of D2. If F8 is anything like F2 than it is a high tungsten carbon steel.
 
Larrin, you're probably right about it being F8, I showed him the knife at the Solvang show many years ago, somehow, "F7" got stuck in my head. Since F2 seems to be in the same family, would you know anyone who uses D3 and F2 today? Would like to get a "user" in those steels..
 
I've got a piece of "something" 7... S7 or L7(not the girliemetal group) or maybe F7- don't know any more since the section with the paint ID was cut off and I didn't remark it a few years ago. My experience was that that the metal was flexible but the point was easily deformed.
 
That Other Guy said:
I've got a piece of "something" 7... S7 or L7(not the girliemetal group) or maybe F7- don't know any more since the section with the paint ID was cut off and I didn't remark it a few years ago. My experience was that that the metal was flexible but the point was easily deformed.
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It's probably S7. Flexibility is controlled more by geometry and thickness than steel, next important is heat treatment, then finally steel type.
 
TALON158 said:
Larrin, you're probably right about it being F8, I showed him the knife at the Solvang show many years ago, somehow, "F7" got stuck in my head. Since F2 seems to be in the same family, would you know anyone who uses D3 and F2 today? Would like to get a "user" in those steels..
Click to expand...
F2 is the most common "F" grade, but it is still very difficult to get, you will not find anyone using it. I tried recently to purchase some, and I couldn't really find any. A similar grade to F2 is Blue Super, it is relatively common in some Japanese knives. The person to contact is Murray Carter, he is most well known for kitchen knives, but also makes neck knives, hunting knives, choppers, and other types, I'm sure. He does not have a website, but here is his e-mail address: m_carter-cutlery[at]pop06.odn.ne.jp and his phone number: 503-429-0447. His Blue Super is laminated with stainless for ease of maintenance as well.

You see a knife made here or there out of D3, but I'm not sure who you would contact.
 
Talon158,
I've not used D3, but I have used F2, and F8.
The F2 was from Carpenter, the tail end of a mill run for Olin.
1.3 carbon, 3.5 Tungsten,..gets extremely hard and holds an edge well,
and is very difficult to work in the hardened state. As far as I know,
It's not available in less than mill quantities.

F8 was a Columbia grade which they called "Sylvanite". 1.3 carbon,
8.0 tungsten, 4.0 chrome, and 0.5 Vanadium. It's major drawback
was that it was only available in heat treated condition. It did make
a decent blade. Sadly, Columbia Tool Steel was absorbed by another
company, and Sylvanite is no longer available.
 
Russ and Larrin, thanks for the info. Russ, do you still have any F2 or F8 left? Would be interested if you could make me a hunter/utility in either of those steels or something very similar in composition. My email is sesh_21(at)hotmail.com
 
M Wadel said:
are high % W varieties generally brittle? anyone with experience?
Click to expand...
It's hard to make generalizations. Blue Super and F2 are definitely not as tough as 52100. When you start getting in to high speed steels (F8 looks to be a high speed steel, or close to it), then the rules are changed again.
 
Don't know about the F steels but the D2 is great. D3 sounds interesting but I haven't forged any or know where to get it?. I think I'll look into some. Any more info would be great.

Larry
 
A few years ago, there was an article in "Blade" about D3, complete
with comparison performance charts.

F2 is not necessarily brittle. Blades over 1/8" thk will have an
underhardened core, which can allow the blade to bend. Under
1/8" thk will harden all the way through. ( Rc 67-68 ).

Because of the high tungsten, F2 will tend to crack if forged
too hot.
 
Talked to 2 other Henry collectors who knew him in the 60s and they said D.E. used D3 for only hunters and folders as he favored them for small knives that were supposed to hold a keen edge.

Russ, did you get my recent email? Loved the pics of the hunters! Whats the stock thickness of the F2 that you have?
 
Talon158,
Got your e.mail. Reply sent.
The F2 I have is 11/16" round stock.
 
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