Edge retention

ripi said:
i prefer vanadis 4 :) super tough and the best edge holding also very good for discolouration
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I have been wanting to try some vanadis 4 for a long time, but Uddeholm doesn't stock it in usable sizes (for my shop capabilities), at least in the US.
 
52100 and 5160
While I acknowledge 5160 as the KING OF STEEL, it is based on the overall combination of it's ease in forging, grinding, heat treating and edge holding. I also freely admit that heat treat being equal, 01 holds a much better edge and for that matter, seems to take a better edge.

If I were to create the perfect war machine, I would make it from D2. It's indestructible. It can't be forged, ground, blown up and I've found that it really can't be thrown away.

I don't have any trouble with M2 (stock removal) at all.
HT gets a little irritating sometimes but if I screw up, I can toss it in the trash and it goes away! :D
 
I like O1 (as said, a highly underrated steel imho) and 52100. I don't play with much stainless yet...need to get some of that S30V and give it a try! :)

-Darren
 
I forge all my blades and do not use any of the high alloy steels.
I like 1075M, 1084, 1095, W1,W2. Of the simple carbon steels, I think 01 is the best for edge retention when H T properly. I also like a blade that will tarnish over time, giving it a nice patina. Not for everyone I know :D
Has anyone noticed how close 01 is to 52100 on a spec sheet?
I'm also really into hamons and temper lines.
Don Hanson
 
I think one would have to define for what. I do woodworking tools mostly, and O1 takes a fabulous edge. I would only be interested in the finest possible edge that holds for the longest possible time (and is easy to hand sharpen with any luck). Something that holds a crappy edge forever is not my cup of tea. But it might be just fabulous for someone else, say the survival crowd. Without going to something Japanese, I haven't seen anything better than O1 for what I want. I know a place were one can get bars of the Japanese White and Blue steels, someday I will have to try it out.
 
Danbo, the bugs don't get in there while they are dead. :p :D

Has anyone given any opinions of O1 yet? :D ;)
 
rlinger said:
Has anyone given any opinions of O1 yet? :D ;)
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Could O1 be making a comeback and getting recognition for the great steel that it is!? :D

sunfishman said:
Has anyone noticed how close 01 is to 52100 on a spec sheet?
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Yep, pretty similar steels. :)

-Darren
 
Protactical said:
Something that holds a crappy edge forever is not my cup of tea.
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This sounds like a resurrection of the old myth that D2 will take a poor edge and hold it forever. Au contrair, I have shaved my face with a D2 knife. I did it as a comparison with an S30V blade-one side with each. They were both convex ground and sharpened with Diasharp extra fine diamond hones and finished with Surgical Black Arkansas followed by a Translucent Arkansas stone- all freehand bench stone work, then stropped. The S30V was a little smoother, but the D2 worked. You can carve Ironwood with the D2.

If you can't get a shaving edge on D2, perhaps you need to look at your sharpening technique.
 
For me 52100 is the king of steels, with S30V a good rust resisting second. I've found that there is little differance in my 52100 and S30V as far as side by side edge holding, but that 52100 seems to take a little finner edge and is a whole lot easier to sharpen, S30V needs a good diamond stone while you can pick a rock up out of the driveway and sharpen 52100.

I think the main differance between 52100 and O-1 is not so much the chemicle make-up but the purity of the smelting process. not to say O-1 is not a good steel, but I haven't been able to get the performance out of it that I can 52100.

When all is said and done though, the best high performance steel can be beat by the lowest steel if the heat treat isn't right.
 
Will,

Is there a mail order souce for 52100 in flat bar stock form? I have not gone to heroic efforts but I can only find so far round stock. I do not forge.

Thanks,

RL
 
I get mine from Rex Walter, it's forged down from 5 1/2" round bar to 1" square for me, but he will forge it down to any thickness/width you want and I believe he's offering precision ground steel now.

You can get ahold of him at rexnpam@thesafety.net
 
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