easy steels

[IUBI]

what do you think is the best steel to work with that will give a worthwile finished product?

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And there appeared another wonder in heaven; and behold the great red dragon having seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his heads...And His tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth; and the dragon stood before the woman which was ready to be delivered, for to devour her child as soon as it was born.

 

[Jerry Hossom]

On balance and in consideration of all its qualities, ATS-34 heat treated by Paul Bos is hard to beat. Others may be better for specific applications, but I don't think any are better for all applications.

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Jerry Hossom
knifemaker
www.hossom.com

 

[Bruce Bump]

I have had better results with 440-c than ats-34 heat treated from Paul Bos. If you want carbon steel and want to do your own heat treating 0-1 is hard to beat. If you forge your own blades, 52100 with a good heat treatment (a little trickier than 0-1) is my choice. Paul Bos only treats stainless now. Try cpm3v also. Holds an edge like d2 but 4 times tougher. Paul Bos now does cpm3v. Every steel works better with a cryagenic dip as part of the treatment. I havent tried talonite yet. It must be good. Bruce