Next step up from 1095?

Joined
Jan 10, 2001
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71
I like the ease of sharpening of 1095 in the field.
BUT what is the next step up in hardness/ edge retention steel?

A steel that may be harder to sharpen, but will hold an edge alittle longer?
Thanks
Bill
 
L6 has just a little less shock resistance than 1095 but more wear resistance. O1 has a lot less shock resistance (1/3) but a large increase in wear resistance. A2 and D2 would be the next step and they would follow with similar decreases in toughness (1/5 and 1/10 respectively) and increases in strength and wear resistance.

You could have the maker increase the hardness of 1095 which would cause a drop in shock resistance and and a gain in strength and wear resistance. However the gain for edge retention (for low stress work) as compared to the loss in toughness would probably be less than if you went with the correct tool steel.

-Cliff

[This message has been edited by Cliff Stamp (edited 03-08-2001).]
 
In sort of increasing hardness order:

52100: Very fine grained, from Marble Arms or custom makers.
A-2: Very fine grained, from John Greco or many custom makers.
D-2: Much harder, from Bob Dozier or many custom makers.

If you want stainless look at BG-42 for pretty tough, reasonable to sharpen, holds an edge.
 
A couple other small steps up would be Carbon V from Cold Steel or 50100 from Camillus--Like the Becker Campanion.
 
Actually, from all I've read and been told by makers, L6 is much tougher than 1095 but holds and edge slightly less longer than 1095. L6 is close to 5160 in strength and toughness. 1095 is not as tough, but with 1% Carbon as opposed to L6's .7% Carbon, should hold an edge longer. If you want something that will hold an edge longer than 1095, you should probably go to O1, D2, A2 or one of the CPM steels such as 3V. Not sure if BG42 is going to hold an edge longer than properly heat treated 1095, but will definitely be easier to take care of.

------------------
Danbo, soul brother of Rambo


[This message has been edited by Danbo (edited 03-09-2001).]
 
To clarify in regards to toughness, 1095 ranks above L6 by about 10% when the v-notch charpy impact test is done on a 3/8*3/8*2.5" block. Now 3/8" is a very thick steel, much thicker than what is normally used on blades (consider the reduction caused by the grinds as well as the generally lower stock thickness).

Since 1095 has a very low hardenability as compared to the tool steels, in 3/8" thick stock there is quite probably a lot of steel that has not transformed to martensite below the surface and thus this greatly improves the toughness.

However in regards to knife blades because the thickness is *much* lower, the ratio of unhardened to hardened steel is probably much lower and therefore the relative toughness is decreased.

It would be interesting to know at which thickness 1095 became as tough as L6, as well as how it compares when the charpy tests are done on thinnes stock, 1/4" and 1/8". I could be quite possible that L6 would have a signifiant advantage in thinner stock.

In regards to edge retention, I would be surprised if L6 was outlasted by 1095 due to the alloy content even though the carbon content is a little lower. Assuming that the RC are similar of course.

I will be getting a few blades made shortly to do some work with and L6 and a pure carbon steel (1084) will be among them, so I should be able to examine the working difference.


-Cliff


[This message has been edited by Cliff Stamp (edited 03-10-2001).]
 
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