Newb Question about A2 Steel and Canadian Knifemaker Supply

[Dutchmichael]

Hello, I just finished machining the profile to my first knives and had some questions to do with the A2 Steel. I would like to grind the knife as close to the finished bevel as possible so I just have to finish sand and put the edge on after, I was planning to go around 0.5mm because that is what I found from research to be about as far as you can go, but have people gone thinner with success in A2? I plan on going with a professional for heat treatment, I have heard good things about Peters heat treat and Paul Bos but I am in Canada and was wondering if anyone has had there knives heat treated with Canadian Knife maker Supply (www.knifemaker.ca) and how they liked it, or if they know a company in Canada they prefer? My last question is how much the holes deviate after heat treatment, my Corby bolts fit perfectly, but there is almost no clearance so I'm wondering if I need to drill them up a little or not? I have attached a picture of the blank for anyone who is interested. Thank you for taking the time to read this over, and any advice and help you can give me.

 

[Frank Niro]

I've had many blades done at Canadian Knifemaker supply . Rob does a great job no matter what steel I send him.
Frank

 

[Travis Fry]

First, your picture doesn't show up.

Second, where in Canada are you? I strongly suggest filling out your profile so we can see your location. You might have a knowledgeable knifemaker just around the corner.

Next, one of the main benefits of A2 is its dimensional stability during heat treat. Or at least that's one of the things it's designed for. All that to say, you could probably grind a little thinner than you might otherwise, but .5mm is about as far as I would go. Why would you want to risk going thinner and lose the blade in the process (been there, done that)? I prefer to leave mine somewhere between .5 and .75mm before heat treat, and then finish grind them to within a couple or 5 thousandths of an inch of zero after heat treat. Your holes should be fine, but you could also drill your holes one number size larger (for example, drill your 1/8" holes with a #31 bit) if you're worried about it.

As for heat treating, you can't go wrong with Peter's. In fact, they're likely the best in the business anywhere, and deserve the reputation. Their knife guy Brad Stallsmith really knows his stuff and has been heat treating blades for decades; that's who I use when I have a big batch of stainless blades that I don't want to bother with myself. Also, Paul Bos retired a long time ago. That said, given your otherwise nonspecific Canadian location, I don't think you'll have any regrets going with CKS. I know Rob the owner personally (I taught him to MIG weld!), and he has heat treated thousands of blades. He is very knowledgeable and a super nice guy to boot. I never used his services during the year I spent in Alberta because I had no occasion to, but if I still lived there I'd use him without hesitation.

Good luck too ya.

 

[Dutchmichael]

Thank you for letting me know how you made out with them!

 

[Dutchmichael]

First, your picture doesn't show up.

Second, where in Canada are you? I strongly suggest filling out your profile so we can see your location. You might have a knowledgeable knifemaker just around the corner.

Next, one of the main benefits of A2 is its dimensional stability during heat treat. Or at least that's one of the things it's designed for. All that to say, you could probably grind a little thinner than you might otherwise, but .5mm is about as far as I would go. Why would you want to risk going thinner and lose the blade in the process (been there, done that)? I prefer to leave mine somewhere between .5 and .75mm before heat treat, and then finish grind them to within a couple or 5 thousandths of an inch of zero after heat treat. Your holes should be fine, but you could also drill your holes one number size larger (for example, drill your 1/8" holes with a #31 bit) if you're worried about it.

As for heat treating, you can't go wrong with Peter's. In fact, they're likely the best in the business anywhere, and deserve the reputation. Their knife guy Brad Stallsmith really knows his stuff and has been heat treating blades for decades; that's who I use when I have a big batch of stainless blades that I don't want to bother with myself. Also, Paul Bos retired a long time ago. That said, given your otherwise nonspecific Canadian location, I don't think you'll have any regrets going with CKS. I know Rob the owner personally (I taught him to MIG weld!), and he has heat treated thousands of blades. He is very knowledgeable and a super nice guy to boot. I never used his services during the year I spent in Alberta because I had no occasion to, but if I still lived there I'd use him without hesitation.

Good luck too ya.

Thanks for the information travis! I think from what you are suggesting I will stick with some were between 0.5mm and 0.75mm and just do some grinding after, I was hoping to avoid it as I was worried I may over heat the steel but I will just have to be very careful. Thanks for letting me know about the holes as well, I think I will keep them the same to help align my handles as I plan on machining them as well. I updated the link and believe it should work now, thanks for letting me know.