Modified A8: toughest around?

K

komondor

Joined
Jul 2, 2001
Messages
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I am curious by what little I've seen and read about this super steel. Apparently it is an air-hardened tool steel.

I've seen or read some ridiculous tests on different knives made with this steel. They certainly didn't take a back seat to anything else I've ever seen. One was Tom Johanning's TAC blades, and the other was the Nexus blades, made out of Italy.

They both performed absurd feats of strength/toughness with penetration, lateral stress, chopping, etc.

It's tough to get any info on it here with the searches because of only two alphanumeric characters.

So, what has everyone heard about this stuff? Is it about the toughest or strongest steel used in knives?

Why don't we hear about it more often?
 
It is disputed, but some in the industry say that INFI is A8mod. It is also supposed to be difficult to mass produce due to heat treat methods, and very expensive.
 
S5 is the toughest knife steel, but A8mod should be up there. INFI is similar to A8mod but proprietary, custom melt.

If you only care about toughness then copper is much tougher than any steel.
 
Hello,

Can anyone give me some data (strength, toughness, wear resistance) of a8 mod.? I have been searching a lot for some information but there are no good sources. Maybe there is anyone who can look it up in a book.

I would be very happy about an answer

skyknife
 
here are specs from gator [interactive knife steels]
c--.5 to .6
cr--4.75 to5.5
mo--1.15 to 1.65
w--1.0 to1.5
ni--.3
mn--.5
these are the major alloys in a8 looks tuff but edge holding might not be fantastic.
 
I agree with Dennis. A8 mod will be very tough, but I would question the edge holding performance.
 
skyknife said:
Hello,

Can anyone give me some data (strength, toughness, wear resistance) of a8 mod.? I have been searching a lot for some information but there are no good sources. Maybe there is anyone who can look it up in a book.

I would be very happy about an answer

skyknife
Click to expand...
Well it only took like 12 years. But I have data.
A8 Charpy impact force at 59rc 160 joules or (118fp)
Just for reference CPM 3V charpy impact force at 59rc 100 joules
S7 tool steel charpy impact at 58rc 165 joules
L6 tool steel chatpy impact at 58 rc (120fp)
A2 tool steel charpy impact at 60rc (40fp)
 
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