I'll hopefully be making a chopper out of S7 soon. I've used 1095, M2, and O1 before with good results for small kiridashi and hunter patterns 3-5 inche blade range. Just wondering how everyone likes the S7 and if they have any edge ripple/dent/chip issues. I'd like to use 9260 or 5160, but the heat treater I want to use will only do air hardening steels.
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How's Everyone Like the S7 Steel?
- Thread starter me2
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- Jan 9, 2011
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Here's a review - http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...stom-Chopper-S7-steel?p=10228090#post10228090
More later...
- Joined
- Jan 9, 2011
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- 16,397
I have to say I think it is a great steel. The edge holding is pretty good and the toughness is just about off the charts. I think for choppers or hard use knives it really excels. It is an extremely low distortion steel which always makes me feel good when I am heat treating it. The heat treat is also pretty hard to mess up if you have a digitally controlled kiln, just air harden and a 400 F double temper will work well for most knives. The only downside I see is the price, it isn't cheap that's for sure!
I think Peters heat treat service will harden 5160 up to 24", hopefully that helps. A2 would also be a great choice as it is air hardening and has great edge holding and toughness properties. You really can't go wrong with the S7. It is made to high specs so you can always count on it to be good.