Knife steel dilemma

rodriguez7

rodriguez7

Gila wilderness knife works
Joined
Feb 1, 2009
Messages
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Hi guys, so I have a little dilemma here. I’m trying to pick a mid grade steel for a smaller skinner/hunter. I think I’ve narrowed it down to 3 choices. A2, M2 and 52100. Somewhat comparable on price, difference on heat treats. I know M2 will hold a better working edge longer, and the only downfall I see is a higher austenizing temperature. A2 seems like a good all around steel, somewhat easy to heat treat with decent wear resistance. And 52100 of course is an all around favorite, but the heat treat can get a little complicated, and I don’t have any AAA quench oil, so that will add some cost. But I like the fact that I can differentially harden it if I choose. I have already picked a top grade steel for this purpose, Cpm4v.
And the lower end steels I’m using, are 15n20, and 8670, stainless is Aeb-l. So what are everyone’s thoughts?
 
Personally I would scratch M2.
The test knives I made from it did not impress me. I could not take the edges as thin as I would have liked without chipping issues.
I have not used A2 in many years but it is a seasoned performer with a great track record.
I have been very impressed with all the knives I have made from 52100, so again, you can not go wrong with it.

However, If you already have AEB-L and 4V I assume you have a furnace and heat treat foil?
I would go with the A2 if you are already set up to heat treat the alloyed steels.
 
Big Chris said:
Personally I would scratch M2.
The test knives I made from it did not impress me. I could not take the edges as thin as I would have liked without chipping issues.
I have not used A2 in many years but it is a seasoned performer with a great track record.
I have been very impressed with all the knives I have made from 52100, so again, you can not go wrong with it.

However, If you already have AEB-L and 4V I assume you have a furnace and heat treat foil?
I would go with the A2 if you are already set up to heat treat the alloyed steels.
Click to expand...
Yes sir I do. I have an evenheat, quench plates and Ln2. M2 has held up good in the few knives I’ve made, but I would need to test some more.
 
The more I think about it, the more I’m leaning towards 52100. If it can be quenched reliably in canola, to save me some cash on AAA oil. Or worst case, order a couple gallons of aaa, and deal with the cost. I usually get my steel from alpha, so I wouldn’t need to thermal cycle? If so that’s a plus, 1475 to 1500 austenize by 10 minute soak, quench, then cryo.
 
rodriguez7 said:
The more I think about it, the more I’m leaning towards 52100. If it can be quenched reliably in canola, to save me some cash on AAA oil. Or worst case, order a couple gallons of aaa, and deal with the cost. I usually get my steel from alpha, so I wouldn’t need to thermal cycle? If so that’s a plus, 1475 to 1500 austenize by 10 minute soak, quench, then cryo.
Click to expand...
search 52100 and there is a post by AKS that says their 52100 does not need thermal cycles.
 
Some years back did a blind test at a large game ranch. They were provided with two sets of knives (hunter, skinner and a caper). The outfitter knew that it was a test of two different steels the guides did not. One set was handled in ironwood the other in cocobolo, otherwise identical. The steels were A2 and 52100, heat treat by Peters on both. This is a busy place with multiple animals down daily. Their season was from beginning of Oct through Mar. By the end of the first week they were arm wrestling to see who got to take the A2 knives. After that week they broke up the A2 set between them and displayed the 52100 knives on the mantle in the lodge. Half way through the season they asked if they could keep the knives and at the end of the season they sent me money for more. Their money not the ranches or the outfitters. Both of the capers were AEB-L btw and they just wore those as a belt knife/edc as the place is also a working cattle ranch. I'd say maybe the A2.
 
Horsewright Horsewright Having bought and made many knives of A2 it is one of my go to non stainless steels
 
Thanks guys, I ordered some 52100 this morning. next week I’ll order some A2 also. I’ll probably just make a couple in each of these two steels, and try them both out. I’m having trouble deciding.
 
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