CPM 1V Edge Quality

F

F. Allin Kahrl

Joined
Aug 20, 2004
Messages
211
I'm looking at CPM 1V as a potential major step up from the A-2 that I've been working with. It's way tougher, and not so wear-resistant that it'll be a pain to work (I think). I'm concerned about the edge it will take, however. Crucible doesn't really mention cutters or knives anywhere in their datasheets, so I'm wondering if any of you have experience with it.

A-2 takes a nice keen edge. I've heard it said that D-2 will take a lousy edge and hold it forever. I'm wondering if the same is true of 1V.

Thanks.
 
F. Allin Kahrl said:
I've heard it said that D-2 will take a lousy edge and hold it forever.
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I've always thought that was one of the stupidest rumors ever. Properly heat treated D2 is some good stuff, and gets sharp enough for anybody.
 
I have not used CPM 1V. If you want a major step up from A2, my first response would be CPM 3V. I don't find it terrible to work with, and the increased edge holding will be very noticable. There is no free lunch, if you want more abrasion resistance, it will be present at both ends (the making and the using). 3V is tougher than A2 and it will take a keen edge. I also think the characterization of D2 edgeholding is untrue.
 
Personally, I wouldn't have thought to use it... as most of the information I'd ever read about it, listed it as a material to use for hot cutting tools and the like.

BUT... Dan Farr is using it exlcusively now... he had all of his knives at Reno forged out of 1V, and he is pretty darn excited about it. I would recommend you contact Dan about it.

I'm trying to wedge my way into Crucible's brain so I can convince them to make a steel for us... but we'll see what happens with that! :cool:
 
are you going to tallk about what type steel your thinking about haveing made up or is it hush hush
not like chem. brake down but what your thinking it needs
to be like
 
Jerry Hossom also worked with 1V and found some interesting things about its plastic deformation properties; you might want to drop him an email. 1V might be hard to get in the right sizes for stock removal, so forging is the way to go.
F. Allin Kahrl said:
A-2 takes a nice keen edge. I've heard it said that D-2 will take a lousy edge and hold it forever. I'm wondering if the same is true of 1V.
Click to expand...
I think this statement has to do with grain size. D2 has rather large grains; sharpening to a keen edge is problematic because those large carbides tear out of the edge, leaving it jagged. A2 has much smaller and more uniform grain sizes, allowing a very fine edge. I imagine that 1V will also have small, uniform grains because of the CPM process.

I agree with Don that 3V is already a big step up from A2, with more than enough toughness for knife-sized blades and very respectable wear resistance to boot. Give it a try, I think you'll like it :).
 
the statement about D-2 is somewhat true, It will take a lousy edge and hold it for ever. But at the same time It will take a great using edge, and just about hold it forever as well. Triple tempering will help in the grain size, and a very fine diamond hone will give it an edge that performs in the field very, very well. It makes a lousy straight razor, but the super fine edge that a razor has does a terrible job when it comes to hide and sinue. M. Lovett
 
Thanks for all the advice, guys. I shot an email to Jerry Hossom and am working on one to Dan Farr. We'll see what they say.

One of the reasons I'm avoiding 3V is that it's so wear-resistant. That's great for knives, I know, but I also make and refit woodworking tools from time to time. The "irons" for these tools are usually sharpened to a 25° zero edge (or occasionally have a 26° or 27° microbevel) and have to perform more like razors than knives. They have to be tough because the edge faces a lot of abuse in figured wood. They also have to be relatively easy to resharpen because any little nicks in the edge will be visible in the wood.

Cryo-treated A-2 is the popular steel for this type of work, but I think 1V could be a technological leap if it works the way I think it will. I will have to look into available sizes, though.

Thanks again.
 
It's not like I have some leading edge technology in mind. I would just like to get Crucible to make a really CLEAN version of something for us like W2 or 1084 with Vanadium.

It would be geared toward forging guys the most, but they would be great for stock-removal as well.

I'm simple :D
 
ok i see
from what i have read you wouldnt need much vanadium sept for keeping grain small
right?
if going for vanadium carbides wouldnt you have to do a rather long high temp soak to get them to mix well
just my thoughts

be sure any time steel can be made more "clean" the more repeatable the finished knife performance
butch
 
NickWheeler said:
I would just like to get Crucible to make a really CLEAN version of something for us like W2 or 1084 with Vanadium.
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Oh, man. [drool]

That would be incredibly cool, not for what I'm talking about here necessarily, but in general. Good thinkin', Nick.
 
Nick,

Stay on them. I think with either of those steels you could get enough pre-sold to make it worth their while.

John
 
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