custom A-2 bushcrafter, close to a bravo 1

J

Jastab

Joined
Jan 31, 2013
Messages
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Hey y'all, just joined and thought id share my new/1st knife im making. Its .25" thick of A2 and will be hardened to around 59rc. Final edge will be machined to .030" then sharpened from there. My question is the .030" to thick for a edge? Is 59rc good for a2? Some may ask why.25" and its because that's the only thickness I have available for free without buying material.
 
59 HRC is good.
0.030" before sharpening will give you a really thick edge. If you want to make a knife that impresses people with its cutting ability then take it down to 0.010" or less.
 
Ok, the only thing im worried about it chipping at that size, this is my first knife and im making 3 of them. I could try 10 thou on one and see. Ill try to post pics, but im not too smart with technology :) thanks for the input.
 
It's a lot easier to start with a thin edge and knock it back a little if it's too weak or chippy, than it is to start with a thick edge and try to make it cut worth a hoot.
 
james terrio said:
It's a lot easier to start with a thin edge and knock it back a little if it's too weak or chippy, than it is to start with a thick edge and try to make it cut worth a hoot.
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True, I will take it down to .015" at the edge, I just finished my first one and .030" was too thick for sure. So ill throw it back in the mill and take it down one each side. Should I take it down even more?
 
As it sits now its between .013"-.015" but I still have 2 more to machine tomorrow at work and ill probably take them down to .012"-.010" I really appreciate the advice guys, and ill try to figure out how to post pics.
 
Another question I have is the blade finish, I know a-2 rusts and was thinking of putting a do it yourself gun bluing on them, but I also have access to powder coat. Which would be the better choice?
 
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Cold blue can be streaky, but isnt bad; powder coat would probably last better as a user. Granted, I'm not a big fan of cold blue and I dont have the highest opinion of the DIY gun blue kits. (Opinion from a gunsmith) :D
 
JCoutts said:
Cold blue can be streaky, but isnt bad; powder coat would probably last better as a user. Granted, I'm not a big fan of cold blue and I dont have the highest opinion of the DIY gun blue kits. (Opinion from a gunsmith) :D
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Ok thanks, i was kinda skeptical of the DIY blue kits. I work at a metal fab shop, and we have black oxide here at work along with powder coating. Before today I wasnt too sure of the durability of black oxide, but I figure if it gets messed up ill just re soak/coat it. And looking online some knives have it so I figure what the hey give it a shot!
 
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