M 42 steel? What is it?

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Glock26

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Nov 3, 2009
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hello all, i just spoke with my knife maker and he is making a 7' inch knife for me made out of M 42. Can you guys tell me about this type of metal being used, thanks appreciated it.
 
Could be a high speed steel, similar to what is used for drill bits and teeth on reciprocating saw blades and end mills. A very high wear and heat resistant steel. Or M42 could be a company trade name, in which case only they know what it is. If its a high speed steel, it'll hold an edge for a LONG time, and likely take a very sharp, thin edge, but it may be somewhat brittle, depending on intended use.
 
I think it is the steel not a company name, according to my knife maker he says that it will hold a sharp edge and be very hard to sharpen thus he'll be the one sharpening it for me. In addition, something about even before heat treating it, he'll need to make the knife sharp before hand since the steel is so hard? Intended use will be in my pocket everyday, opening cardboard, un packing packages, peeling oranges, cutting fishing line, etc.
 
Thanks, well i am not familiar at all but is this a good material steel to be used in a knife?
 
Hi,

M42 is the industry standard for cutting tools in the metal working industry. Endmills and lathe tools are made from it. It is meant to be more wear resistant and to be able to hold it's temper to a higher heat. Some higher end drills are now made from it also. Though most run-of-the-mill drills are still pretty much M4. As a machinist I will tell you M2 and M4 are crap steels for cutting tools and M42 is far superior. It certainly is no more expensive.

It isn't any more difficult to sharpen than M2 or M4, mechanically or manually. In fact it is easier to sharpen mechanically because it holds it's temper better. Less chance of burning the edge.

Is it better for making knives? No. But it's no worse either. I certainly wouldn't pay a premium for it over any other HSS.

dalee
 
Its properties are similar to M2, except it can reach up to 68 rc if the heat treater so chooses.
 
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