Blade Steels Properties

O

Outdoorsmn

Joined
Jan 23, 2000
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What are the best steels for a blade with both good edge holding and durability properties? I have been looking at Aus 6, Aus8, Aus8a, Aus10, Ats-34, Ats-55,M-2 and several COLD STEEL exclusives. Also, is there a difference between Aus8, and Aus8a? Any information on these or other steels would be greatly appreciated.
 
i use 440c, ats-34, d-2, and 0-1. ats-34 being my favorite. i have bg-42 being shipped to me, it supposedly out does 440c and ats-34, but it's harder to work that d-2 which it also out does. i have a small bar or m-2, which is pretty much the most expensive steel in knifemaking, but can only be used in small knives, becuase it is brittle.
 
I use ATS-34 for most of my blades because you can control the hardness and flexibility of the heat treat. Some materials like BG-42 are too brittle for most applications. Consider the hardness you desire for the type knife you want to make then choosing the blade steel will be easier.

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Gene Osborn
Center Cross Metal Works
I Carry My Crosses for Christ to Give any Glory to God.
 
AUS-8A is a misnomer. I believe that it first came from Japan and was known as AUS-8. Other sources produced it and called it 8A. Since then people have mushed the names together and called it AUS-8A.

I like the blade steel properties chart from Linder Cutlery in Solingen, Germany. It has both the chemical composition and typical rockwell hardness of cutlery alloys in one chart:

http://www.linder.de/English/InfoE/StahltabE.htm

I think BG-42 is one of the best alloys around. It is very pure and tough. It is a stainless that takes an exceptional edge more easily than most. I generally consider it tougher that ATS-34 and a lot easier to sharpen.
 
i've heard bg-42 is flexible. it has 4% moly and some vanadium so it deffinetly should be. it's double vacuum melted, and clean, way beyound that of ats-34.
 
well....as 18 years of knifemaking has taught me...out in the field is where the rubber mets the road. from what i have seen bg42 is not brittle, nor does it out perform d2 in edge holding. both of these steels have an edge (pardon the pun) over ats-34 and all its japanese cousins. however, this is the year 2000, and we now have 420v, 3v, Talonite...and a steel industry that is moving forward not backwards...lets not get stuck in a rut....especially one that is made in another country...one mans opinion.

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http://www.mayoknives.com


 
Have to agree with Tom, but would add that the knife type should dictate the type of steel. No way would I put any of these on a 14 inch bowie that is going to get hard use. By that same token I would not put 1084 or 52100 on a 3 inch folder. Just different steel for different jobs, been that way for hundreds of years and doubt that aspect of knife making will change much in the next hundred.

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old pete
 
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