Favorite Steel?

Uncle Timbo

Uncle Timbo

Gold Member
Joined
Nov 23, 2005
Messages
5,392
For making a chopper? What would your favorite steel be of the moderately priced steels? Also, would BG 42 or S30V make a good chopper? I know they are not moderately priced but I've always wanted to know. I consider you fine gentlemen to be experts!
 
My favorite steel for choppers is 5160. It's tough,takes and holds a mean edge as well and the best part is IT'S CHEAP! I also hear A2 is unbelivable for chopper's with alot of competition cutting swords being made from it now. and 3V for your supersteel catagory.

Jason
 
What heat treat capabilities do you have? will you be forging or stock removal?

-Page
 
I switch between O1 and A2 depending on how much stain resistance I want. A2 is nice since its an air or plate quench not needed a quench solution, just a little easier but HT is at 1900 vrs 1500 no big deal if you have a good oven.
 
as for the best (you did ask for favorites;)) I would have to say CPM M4 is the best and my favorite, simply b/c it has great wear resistance and toughness you can get it up to 63 HRC, and still be very tough. as for regular steel I go with O-1, or A/D-2
 
I like what I have been able to do with W2 on big blades.
 
For a chopper I would want lath martensite rather than plate martensite (meaning fairly low carbon), fine grain, and low carbides and low levels of things that don't contribute to the strength of the matrix such as carbides, excessive chromium, nickel.

S7, 5160, 4150 (!) might be very good.

S30V, despite Crucible's claim of high toughness, has never compared to plain carbon steels for raw edge stability. I don't know much about BG42, though I'd still wager plain old 1084 would spank it soundly in a chopper where edge stability trumps wear resistance.

Also W2 and L6 :thumbup:

As much as I like O1 and D2 (very good cutting steels), they would not be my first choice for a chopper unless you're chopping something like carpet or drywall or other abrasive things.

I'll point out, I haven't made many choppers - I make smaller thinner knives.
 
Last edited:
I have been amazed with the toughness at high Rc (62-63) from W2. It is now my all time favorite!

But I would temper it back to 59-60 Rc for a chopper.
 
Last edited:
CPM3V combines high toughness and at the same time great wear resistance !
 
mete said:
CPM3V combines high toughness and at the same time great wear resistance !
Click to expand...
Everything that I have heard from a fair number of folks says that I would be inclined to use 3V if I was a stock removal maker, corrosion resistance be damned.
 
Been making my current ones from w-2. Made others with 5160, 52100, and L-6. Won a cutting competition with the 52100 piece.
 
Many, many thanks to everyone! I'm thinking a 10 " blade of 5160. Now what kind of grind would be the easiest to maintain?
 
What kind of edge geometry do you recommend for chopping wood with a knife similar to the cutting competition? Thanks
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top