BIG A2 HT questions

Chiro75

Chiro75

Joined
Feb 4, 1999
Messages
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I have a big piece of A2 that was sent to me instead of the O1 I ordered. Rather than sending it back, I just kept it. It's 1/4"x18"x1.25" I think. Anyway, I don't have any desire to make a bunch of knives from it and send them all out, so I figured I'd have some fun with it (although bandsawing 1/4" A2 SUCKS!) and make one huge knife from it. I am still working on profiling this monster, and it's something I'm going to work on a little here and a little there, but when it comes time to HT'ing it I have a couple questions:

1) Who is a good person to send it to for the HT?
2) What is the ideal RC for a blade this size (I think I want it to be a chopper, obviously and I'm either going to do a high flat grind or a convex grind!) for chopping?

Wish me luck! If I can pull it off and make a usable knife out of this, I'll call it the Super Massive Nuclear Retribution in honor of Jerry Hossom! :D
 
Paul Bos, without question. But, see if you can find somebody already sending a batch of A2 blades to Paul first, as it will be much cheaper that way.
 
I like to have A2 at a 58-59 Rc I don't know of any U.S. heat treaters other than Paul Bos if that tells you anything.



cya
jimi
 
I've heard some grumbling abot TKS's HT services. I might be over the max, too. This thing is 18" OAL. If it turns out it'll be a lot of fun!
 
I am looking at the Crucible data sheet for A2, and this is what it says"

HARDNESS TOUGHNESS, CHARPY C-NOTCH

HRC 58 33 Ft lb
HRC 59 37 Ft lb
HRC 60 41 Ft lb
HRC 61 31 Ft lb
If this can be related to a knife, then it would seem that HRC 60 is the toughest. I only made one A2 knife and Paul did the heat treat. I asked for HRC 60 and I am sure that is what I got. He will also cryo treat your blade.
 
As Don noted above A2 peaks in impact toughness at 60 HRC. What would be the purpose in making it a lower hardness when you lose strength? I use A2 for bowies and camp knives and always shoot for 60+ HRC. They make great choppers. I harden at 1775°F, dry ice treat and temper twice at 425°F. It generally gets me 60 or just a fraction above.

D2 is the same way, peaking at 23 ft lbs at HRC 60.
 
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