How hard is D2 to work with?

Matt Shade

Matt Shade

Joined
Nov 24, 1999
Messages
4,981
After doing some looking, it turns out that I can get precision ground D2 from jantz for just a couple bucks more than I paid for blanchard ground ATS34 from koval. So I'd like to try it.
My main question is, how hard is the stuff when its anealed. I remember seeing here that its hard to forge,but what about stock removal? How does a good file cut it in comparison to ATS34 ? I've got a grinder, but I'm making folders and have to use a file for fitting things up.
And just out of curiosity, how hard is it to heat treat yourself ? Its listed as air hardening. In the end, I'll probably send it out for HT, but it would be nice if I could skip that step. I don't have a checking acount or credit card, so its kind of a hassle doing bussiness through the mail. If I could come up with a way to get it hot enough here at home, even if its differentially treated I'd try it.
Thanks for any info.

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I may not be the sharpest knife in the drawer... but I've got the sharpest knife in the room.
 
Matt,

I've found D2 to work similarly to ATS-34 except that it heats up a little quicker. The Crucible office in Dallas is selling PG D2 very cheap right now. You may want to check it out. If you need the contact information, let me know (I don't have it right now).
I send my blades out for HT, so I am not the person to answer that question.

Brett
 
Matt,

I have found that D2 files, drills, and grinds fairly easy in the annealed state. You shouldn't have any trouble using files to fit things up on a folder.

D2 is a little harder to grind after it is heat treated but it is not as bad as some people seem to think. Use of fresh Regalloy ceramic belts helps cut the regrind time.

I suggest that you have Paul Bos heat treat the D2 for you. He knows what he is doing and He will do an excellent job for you.

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Barry
Jones Knives
"NEW Knives"
http://albums.photopoint.com/j/AlbumIndex?u=126319&a=5922856&f=0
"For DUTY and HUMANITY!"
Curly, Moe, & Larry
 
Thanks guys
Thats what I wanted to hear
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Is there a minimum order for crucible ? I'm only planning on getting a 12" or 18" bar right now. That will make a couple folders and the price at Jantz seems pretty good.
I'll just plan on sending stuff out for heat treat. It would be a shame to put all the work into a knife and not get the best performance out of the blade.
Off to order some 6/4 Ti for liners and some D2. Thanks again.

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I may not be the sharpest knife in the drawer... but I've got the sharpest knife in the room.
 
D2 isn't too bad to work with fresh belts. And i actually hand filed one pretty quick when I found a really coarse file. I second the motion for Bos to HT it. He is a master at it! Crucible has a min order of $75, but if u pay with a credit card, there may be no min, or that might just be with the bargain bin stuff. I have to order a bunch of steel as soon as i get a summer job. I need to get 1/8x1.25 D2, 1/8x1.25 O-1, 3/16" O-1 form their bargain bin, 3/32x1/5" 440C for kitchen knives, etc. I actually got more orders, so I need more steel!
smile.gif
 
Thats awesome George

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I may not be the sharpest knife in the drawer... but I've got the sharpest knife in the room.
 
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