Heads up re: O1 steel

[Rob!]

Got this in email today from Crucible

To be honest O1 is a dying grade. I think some of the mills have intentionally priced it high to discourage orders.

Thought those who favor it might be interested in stocking up somewhere before the time comes.

Rob!

 

[jdm61]

Got this in email today from Crucible



Thought those who favor it might be interested in stocking up somewhere before the time comes.

Rob!

What has replaced it?

 

[Gossman Knives]

I find that hard to believe. O1 a dying grade, I doubt it.
Scott

 

[David Loukides]

Rob,
Does Crucible make their own O-1 or do they priviate label the O-1 they sell?

 

[TekSec]

I don't believe it but if it's true, that really blows! Man, I'm not sure what I would use instead....

 

[flatgrinder]

I don't believe it. Perhaps it's marketing, they want you to buy more of their stuff.

 

[Rob!]

Don't know guys. I already had the order in so if it was marketing, it wasn't to me. Bruce has spoken of waiting for the O1 to arrive in TX from their mill, so I presume they make their own.

I think it was just a bit of friendly opinion - from the inside. Take it for what it's worth.

Rob!

 

[Justin.Mercier]

O1 is one of hte chepest tool steels for me to find locally for forging, i just hit fastenall and get drill rod, all of their oil hardening drill rod is O1

 

[Satrang]

O-1 is not made in the United States. It is all imported from Asia or Europe.

The grade is dying because most all tool steel heat treaters have converted to vacuum (air) heat treatment. Oil quenching is dying, thus the oil quench tool steels are dying. Most O-1 use in tooling is and has been for a long time been replaced by A2.

 

[KLOW]

Actually Timken-latrobe makes it's own O-1 under the name of Badger O-1. It is made by the latrobe Koncor steel division in Wauseon, Ohio. It is recycled steel that is melted down and alloying elements are added. I have checked Bohler-Uddeholm who also make O-1 (Arne if it is made in Sweden) they also use recycled steel and add alloying elements. From what I have read, most tool steel made is from recycled steel. I guess it's cheaper than starting from scratch.

 

[hardheart]

I heard this a few years ago, it may be dying, but probably slowly.

 

[Don Hanson III]

The simple carbon steels are very much slowly going away. Sad but true.

I've been stocking up for the last few years