Looking For Steel Opinions

[colu41]

Im in the process of building a digitally controlled oven for heat treat. I figured if I could build a VS Grinder (with a bit of help) i could build an oven. But Im stumped on a steel,I would want to use most frequently.

I will do some high grade stainless like CPM154 or S30V and whatnot, but not a lot. So I wanted to find an "intermediate" steel to do most of my blades.
I love high carbon, but maybe looking for a little more corrosion resistance.

Anyone have opinions on D2? And why I dont see many blades made with it? Otherwise I was thinking O1 or maybe even 1095 but. Thats not much of a step above the current 1084 Im working with now.

Any suggestions would be great!

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

You seem to have mixed a bit of apples and oranges in your post. Lets try and straighten it out:

I assume the HT oven build comments and title are not what you are asking about. That probably should be a separate thread when you get started on it.

The steel choice is mainly determined by the blade type. The two main types are carbon steel or stainless steel.
For carbon. 1084 is the champ for ease and simplicity. It makes a great knife. 1095 is a step up from that and will make a very good knife with a good HT. Other standard choices that will fit certain knife styles are O-1, 52100, 5160, 15N20, and W2.
For stainless steel, there are choices from 440C to Elmax. Examples of good quality and high performance are usually the CPM steels such as CPM-154, CPM-S35VN, and CPM-S30V, and simple but great AEB-L.

D-2 is a good tough steel, but really has no great attribute over the easier to work and HT stainless CPM steels ( you can get CPM-D2, BTW).

For my personal recommendations:
Use CPM-154 for general use camp and hunting knives.
Use CPM-S35VN for thinner slicers like kitchen and fillet blades.
Use 1084 and 15N20 for general use carbon blades.
Use 1095, 52100, or W2 for carbon slicers.
Use 5160 for heavy choppers and large camp knives.

 

[colu41]

Changed the title. Reread and realized it was quite confusing. Lol.
Back on topic. Thanks for that! Ive never really read up much on certain other steels and their proper uses, so your post will be screenshot for my future reference.

15N20 has been in my mind lately but as of now cant find any in stock thicker than .094". But, again thanks. I guess I have all sorts of options now.

Also, is AEB-L used mostly for very thin slicers? I see it used a lot so was just curious.

 

[stezann]

i may be biased.
I prefer steels wich can be sharpened to a very keen and stable edge, at very high hardness. I don't like big carbides in my edge but appreciate a bit of wear resistance.
so that's it:
Carbon: W2, 1.2519, 52100, 01, 02.
SS: 14c28n, AEB-L