Looking for steel information/comparison

[cooks 7]

Hello all,
I watch the forum very closely, I have a lot of downtime at work, and love all the information i have learned from you guys. One problem I have is keeping up on all the different classifications of steel. I have played with 4140 and O1 and would like to branch out when i have more time, but I was wondering if there is any sort of database or list or something that breaks them down and compares them on factors like hardenability, toughness, edge holding, etc. I realize those are subjective terms, but I am not good enough to look at composition and infer things like that.
That's a good point too, is there a place that shows compositions and what alloys yeild what results?
Any help would be great, I know mete has some sites i've seen before, but couldn't find them while searching. I am having a good day if i can tell is its a carbon or stainless from hearing the designation.
thanks guys
jon

 

[Ripper]

Jon;

These sites might be of some help:
http://www.engnath.com/public/steel.htm
http://ajh-knives.com/metals.html#metal0
http://www.agrussell.com/knife_information/knife_encyclopedia/articles/steel.html
They really don't have any head to head comparisons, but do go into the characteristics of the steels as they apply to knife making.

This is a pretty good composition chart:
http://www.agrussell.com/knife_information/steel_guide/index.html

Dan Gray also has some good links to steel info on his tutorial page:
http://www.knivesby.com/knifemaking.html

Regards,
Greg

 

[cooks 7]

that helps alot, i've only had a chance to look at the first one, but it was exactly what i wanted, thanks
jon
i'll add these to my ever expanding library of bookmarks