Hardness above the hamon line?

[AWGunS]

I have some W2 that I would like to grind on, and while I am at it, I would like to try to put a hamon on it.

I am curious as to what hardness one gets on the steel above the hamon line? Reason I ask, I was thinking of using W2 for a folder blade down the road, and was concerned about the hardness around the pivot, stop, and where the liner would engage.

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

Two answers;
1) The hardness above the hamon, if differentially hardened, is the hardness of fine pearlite. Somewhere in the low to mid 50's.

2) On a folder blade, just don't clay coat the ricasso and tang area. That way, the pivot area will be hardened along with the edge.