Corrosion and Edge Retention

colu41

colu41

Joined
Dec 24, 2014
Messages
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This may be have been talked about before, but couldn't find much in search. I'm currently using 1084 as I can heat treat at home. But I soon am thinking of bumping up my steel quality, and possibly sending blades out to get HTd. Now, whats the "best" steel for corrosion resistance and edge retention, BEFORE going to any super stainless steels?
I was going to just go with the good O'l CPM154 as a steady steel, but I've also heard great things about A2 which is less than half the price as 154. Any tips? Either way I will have to send out for heat treat as I don't have an oven. Just a small homemade forge. So I'm willing to try anything, as long as its not $100 a foot :o
 
Check out ATS-34 same as 154CM just less pricey. Both are less expensive than good Ol' CPM154. If you are sending out for heat treat you save money up front on a well known Stainless that you can apply to the cost of your heat treating. Depending on the width you need for your blades just for comparison check out Admiral Steel online catalog....I get 5/32 1-1/2" X 72"...under $70.00 plus freight...
 
I'm sure you are aware, but if corrosion is a serious concern, A2 may not be the best choice. Certainly more corrosion resistant than other carbon steels, tho! S35VN is a great candidate, but that may be a "super stainless" to some. AEB-L is no slouch in edge retention, because edge retention is not heavily based on carbide content, but rather edge stability.
 
Is ATS34 technically considered a stainless?
And thanks samurai, I'll check out some AEB-L.
 
samuraistuart said:
I'm sure you are aware, but if corrosion is a serious concern, A2 may not be the best choice. Certainly more corrosion resistant than other carbon steels, tho! S35VN is a great candidate, but that may be a "super stainless" to some. AEB-L is no slouch in edge retention, because edge retention is not heavily based on carbide content, but rather edge stability.
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AEB-L is a great steel I use quite a bit of it myself and the price is really excellent. Takes a great edge and is easy to sharpen!!!

A2 is Tool Steel and has its merits based on Cutting Tooling but the downside for knives is corrosion but if you don't mind a patina on a blade it would be ok.
 
colu41 said:
Is ATS34 technically considered a stainless?
And thanks samurai, I'll check out some AEB-L.
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ATS-34 is Hitachi's version of 154CM....they are identical Stainless Steel from different continents. They heat treat and temper the same.
 
Lu1967 said:
LC 200N. AKS has it under Zap ZifiNit stainless.Grinds like AEB-L.
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I have been watching this Z-FINIT from AKS.....Sounds like Peter's Heat Treating is getting it up to 59RC...Waiting to see some other results.
 
I'm currently making 2 dive knives with this stuff.A few things,it came fairly flat & straight. Profiled blanks then heat treated (max corrosion recipe)and they warped pretty bad ( I grind after heat treat) and the warped a little more after temper.Grrr... I did a sub-zero on one and this one less so.(interesting).
The stuff grinds very nice and is very scratch resistance and I plan on using it again.However in the future I will clamp quench plates & temper clamped up as well.
Will report back after dive/fishing trip.Salt water and spray for 2 weeks no cleaning, we shall see.
 
It cost a bit more, but CPM-S35VN is really good at edge wear and corrosion resistance. When the difference is merely a few bucks a blade, isn't it worth the extra expense?
 
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