Grind for competition cleaver.

[Storm W]

I am making my first Comp cleaver out of .300 A2. Does it matter if I grind first since there is some heavy grinding to do? I don't want any trade secrets, just some general ideas about what I can do with A2.

 

[SBuzek]

You can grind about 90% finished before h/t make sure to do cryo or at least dry ice bath. I use A2 as my carbon steel for folders.

 

[Storm W]

You can grind about 90% finished before h/t make sure to do cryo or at least dry ice bath. I use A2 as my carbon steel for folders.

Are you plate quenching those?

 

[SBuzek]

Yes, leave a little full thickness along the spine to keep them straight.

 

[Storm W]

Yes, leave a little full thickness along the spine to keep them straight.

You are the best. Do you know much about the basic grind and temper Rc? I have convex plattens 36", 48", 72". Assume that a convex grind to the edge is normal. I don't have a lot of experience with A2. I like what I hear but the smaller knives I have made from it should have been in the mid to low 60's Rc but they had a burr that was super hard to get off.

 

[SBuzek]

Check out Bladesports.org and get with those guys on grind for the chopper, on smaller fixed blades and folders I hollow grind on 12" wheel.
The bur is a little hard to remove, I cut through cardboard about 3-4 times then strop.
I run my blades at 60-61 Rc.

 

[Richard338]

I made a chopper a couple years back and it works really well. Scott Gossman gave a few tips on the grind. Basically, a full flat for about 70-75% before HT, then convex to zero. Rather easy grind actually.
I made mine with 3V. I like A2, and I'm sure it will perform well, say at RHC 60, but I'm sure you know that for actual competition people are using steels like M4 at 63 or 64.