Chopper in O-1?

A

AWGunS

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Sep 16, 2006
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I have some thick (.250+), flat ground O-1 that needs to be used up. I was thinking about a chopper for myself, but not sure O-1 will stand up to the abuse that could be expected in a chopping situation. WOuld O-1 make a good chopper, or should I look for another, more suitable steel?
 
01 is one tough SOB. I make a lot of choppers from it.
 
O1 is a tool steel used for applications requiring toughness and durability and should work just fine for a chopper. Make sure you temper according the expected use.
 
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I've also made choppers out of O-1. They work great. The only thing different I do with O-1 Choppers is that I raise the tempering temp to 425, instead of the normally used 400 degree temper. No problems with chipping out or anything.
 
The short answer is "yes". O1 can make an excellent large knife/chopper if the geometry and HT is appropriate.

FWIW, I've had success with 1084 and O1 choppers (at 58Rc) not by tempering them softer overall, but by leaving the edge thicker and less acute, and drawing the temper along the spine back with a torch. To be honest, I'm not convinced the softer spine makes much difference. I am convinced that you don't have to have a soft edge that needs sharpening every time you use it, to have a durable heavy duty knife.
 
I have one 'small' chopper profiled out, and hopefully I can get out in the garage Saturday to grind the bevels (assuming the weather cooperates). If that goes well, then a 'big' chopper will be in the works.

Thanks for the vote of confidence.
 
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