D2 question

[FL_Jimbo_K]

Good day everybody. I am a beginner at the blade forging process, but I just got a free piece of D2 steel - 7/8"x 1 1/2" bar by 18 inches long. I have forged other tools and artwork before, but so far only one knife. I have read Ed Fowler's first book on blade-smithing, and currently reading one of Wayne Goddard's books.

I have been looking/searching the older forums, and I am a little confused. Is D2 a forge-able steel, or is it primarily for stock removal blades? A couple of posts mention it is hard to work, and has a high forging temp, that is fine if it is accurate. If any member could point me to an old thread I'd greatly appreciate it, I seem to be searching too broadly for the engine in here...also the hardening process is new to me - AIR. One article says "cool, still air", does that mean just whatever is ambient, or do I need to hang it in a fridge? I have read that small temp differences in the quench oil (for oil quench steels - not the D2) can make quite a difference, I live in Florida, so my cool is probably warmer than most. More than one article mention stainless foil wrap to keep "air" off the blade, but another maker who says they use D2 does not mention that at all. Looks like I'm in for lots of reading if I want to use this piece of steel.

Thank you all who take time to share an answer, JK.

 

[serplus]

Hey Jimbo, I've been here a while though I usually don't say much. I've been working with D2 for a while now and it isn't something that I'd recommend for forging unless you have quite a bit of forging experience. It has to be worked extremely hot and is prone to cracking when you don't keep it hot enough. It's fairly easy to heat treat, as far as heat treating goes. The hardness results that I get in my shop don't seem to change much whether it's 60 degrees in the winter or 80 degrees in the summer so I don't think the Florida air is going to be a big deal. You air quench is in the ambient air, not in the fridge, use positive pressure air if you can. Most of your questions can be answered at the link below, those guys know way more about it than I do. Good luck.

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/1047081-forging-an-integral-out-of-d2