carbon steel / stainless steel the endless question

[Blop]

That isn't necessarily true. For example, just about any martensitic stainless has higher wear resistance than any of the common forging alloys.

That is the weak point. Just comparing, whats common at the market is not what was asked. At that point, just manufacturers quality standards are important.

If it is just wear resistance, the german alloy 1.2562 (C 1.43, Si 0.23, Mn 0.30, Cr0.35, Mo -,Ni -, V 0.25, W 3.05, Others ) comes to mind. Don´t know, if theres is an american counterpart. Bladesmith Roman Landes notes, that it delivers higher edge holding, initial sharpness, toughness than 154CM for example. It definatly is not stainless but anything else better.

 

[Larrin]

Those tungsten grades are more and more rare, just ask Roman, they are even more difficult to get here. The American counterpart is called F2, but knowing that won't do you any good, no one makes it. I don't think Roman has ever said 1.2562 is tougher than 154CM though, it's pretty brittle. There are other tungsten added grades that have better combinations of toughness and wear resistance (which are equally difficult to obtain). The PM tool steels are much more readily available for higher wear resistance, though as already said these are difficult to forge, so are basically only used by stock removal makers.

By the way, I read you statement wrong, I thought you said any stainless could be replaced by any carbon steel.

 

[Blop]

He made some cards about different grades. I took my information from there.
And, yes, compared to other carbon grades, this 1.2562 really looks very brittle.

Tungsten alloys are to get here in germany but fall into the custom market too.