Looking for RWL 34

Nathan House

Nathan House

Joined
Feb 14, 2000
Messages
1,204
I am looking for place to buy RWL 34, I really want flat ground stock if I can find it.Thanks for any input to were I can locate it
Thanks
 
You can get RWL-34 from anywhere that sells Damasteel (RWL-34 and 12C27). If you search under Damasteel, it comes up - won't work as well if you search RWL-34. Good luck. If HT-er's give you funny looks when you say RWL-34, tell them its ATS-34 till they figure it out. Jason.
 
You might want to ask in the shop talk...
Wolf Borger from Germany http://www.wolf-borger-messer.de sells RWL34, here are the prices (in Euro per cm, multiply with 30 or so to get dollar/foot)

Section mmXmm Price/cm
35 x 14 2,00 € (1.37" X 0.57")
38 x 4 0,90 € (1.55" X 0.157")
40 x 5 1,20 € (1.57" X 0.196")
50 x 15 3,20 € (1.96" X 0.6")
50 x 3 0,95 € (1.96" X 0.118")

It looks quite expencive to me. I don't know where you can buy it in the USA.
 
Originally posted by Jason Cutter
You can get RWL-34 from anywhere that sells Damasteel (RWL-34 and 12C27). If you search under Damasteel, it comes up - won't work as well if you search RWL-34. Good luck. If HT-er's give you funny looks when you say RWL-34, tell them its ATS-34 till they figure it out. Jason.
Click to expand...

Just make sure you don't get ATS-34 instead. RWL-34 is a powder steel with the same composition as ATS-34 but different grain. I read somewhere it takes a unbelivable mirror finish.
 
I have heard there is someone in the US who has it by the name of Walker,I do not who he is or a first name,or contact info
 
thanks for the web site, 72 dollars for 36 inches,very expensive
I think there are steels out there that are much better and alot cheaper,I was just curious about it.
Thanks
 
Yeah its too bad they charge so much. I used to buy some damasteel once in a while, but they recently raised prices significantly, RWL 34 went up 33%.
I know they could charge less, because Jim Downie in Canada is way cheaper. I've heard Damasteel frowns on suppliers in one country selling on another's territory, so I just don't use their product.
In the meantime, I discovered Crucible S30V about a year age and am sold on it. It doesn't finish like RWL 34, but outperforms it.
 
I hear you,I am a big D2 fan But I am also going to start using S30V
or 440v I reall like the look off the Chrome to Carbon content in it.
But I like a hand rub Satin finish and I hear The 30V is a bear to work with.
I guess that is why I am seeing alot of bead blast finish on these type of steels:)
 
D2 had been my everyday favorite for a while before I found S30V and I still like it a lot. It's cheaper and works easier and is easier to heat treat. You can tell the difference in the end by the incredible fine edge the S30V takes.
Next to S30V, D2 is my favorite.
 
Here are some reasons I like RWL-34, which may or may not apply to you.

1) Its like ATS-34 - well known, familiar stuff - bench standard for a lot of custom makers.

2) Because of above - it is HT-ed just like ATS-34, making it easy for professional HT-ers who often don't like "ususual tool steels" or to dedicate a furnace / oven to just one item. IT also benefits from the same tricks that are applied to ATS-34.

3) The powder metallurgy actually makes the steel better than straight ATS-34, IMHO. The fine-ness at the edge due to the very even grain structure gives it a superior edge to say, D-2, or some poor batches of 440C I have come across (with large weird grain). I reckon the fact that it is so even also makes it stronger.

4) It is easier to sharpen than the common CPM knife steels.

5) It is an "entry level" Powder technology steel. Sounds strange, but with the popularity and myth status of the CPM's, this is a selling point. Hell, there's also powdered 1084 steel too, but hey...

6) *** IN Australia, ALL steels are expensive. I calculated that RWL-34 is only 10% more than ATS-34 and S30V is 2.5x more expensive (here). The $72 per 36inches (not sure what dimensions) you quote are actually CHEAPER than what we pay here.

7) *** The distributor here is a nice guy and I always get my orders promptly !! No joke, that is important to me.

8) Here, its not only cheaper, but easier to get than D-2 (I enjoy the 6monthly HUNT I do when its time to get more D-2).

9) Mill-rolled RWL-34 is not far off from PG flat ground stock - it is very even, nothing a quick swipe on the grinder won't true up.

10) Personally, I find RWL-34 easier to grind and finish than D-2. The extraordinary finish you get is again a benefit of powder technology - the grain is so fine that the surface seems perfect. I reckon even a satin hand rub finish looks better with RWL-34.

Just a few, sorry, 10 points. Jason.
 
The price I seen from Mr walker was for 5/32 thick by 1 9/16 wide
and it was 2 dollars an inch.I can get PG D2 5/32 by 2 by 36
for 60 dollars.i agree the RWL is probalby eaiser to finish.
if I could find it for a good price I would try some;)
 
Here, I pay $90 (USD) for 36inch bar of 3.5mm x 40mm bars. Thats just over 1/8inch x 1-5/8inch. Way more expensive... sigh. But ATS-34 is about $82 for the same dimensions. I know which one I'm going for. Unfortunately, as a relatively specialised steel, its not likely to turn up as scrap material you can get gratis, even if you beg borrow or look extra-enthusiastic. Anyway ... Jason.
 
Hi Jason, If you are after D2 go to Bohler and ask for K110. It is an air hardening D2 equivalent, they have heaps in different thicknesses and Hills love it. Used it for years when I first started and still use it on request, Wally Bidgood has used it exclusively for 30 years. Dam nice stuff for a worker.

Iknow, I know, what the hell are these Aussies talking about?
 
Very good price on the D2 I have been getting it for around 55 dollars for 1/8 stock I will have to give the other place a look
Thanks
 
Originally posted by shgeo
Jim Downie in Canada is way cheaper. /B]
Click to expand...


I find this in the last Jim Downie Catalog (I dont know if the price are up to date):

Damasteel® Stainless Steel Damascus
All Blanchard Ground
New: forged – no pattern RWL-34
0.140” x 1-1/2”
$ 1.50 per inch (Canadian $) = About $ 1 US per inch...

Alain M-D
 
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