O1 or D2

R

randg

Joined
Jun 14, 2006
Messages
6
Hi all
I am new to knife making and am wanting to make a hard use carry knife for myself. I have read alot of threads on this forum and was wondering which one of these steel's would be best for a beginner that doesn't have alot of tools to work with(basic belt sander, files etc). I am going to send out for heat treating so I am not too worried about that, just looking for some opinions.
Thanks
 
Randg
I have used them both at work and in knife making.
O-1 is a good starting point. It grinds easier, polishes to a mirror finish, sharpens easier, costs less (if cost is a factor). I don't make knives for cutting compotition but I hear it is used a lot there too. D-2 is however more abrasion, rust, and stain resistant and a lot of good makers use it for that and other reasons.

I use A-2. It is a little harder to grind than o-1 not as hard to grind as D-2.
and I get to take and resaw left overs at my day job as a ToolMaker.

Above and beyond making your first Knife take what you are learning and try to use it to inprove it on your secound knife.
Let us know how you make out!!!
LOU
 
O-1 is a very nice steel to learn, yet it still lends itself worthy in the hands of a master. :thumbup:
 
randg said:
Hi all
I am new to knife making and am wanting to make a hard use carry knife for myself. I have read alot of threads on this forum and was wondering which one of these steel's would be best for a beginner that doesn't have alot of tools to work with(basic belt sander, files etc). I am going to send out for heat treating so I am not too worried about that, just looking for some opinions.
Thanks
Click to expand...

How much abrasive are you willing to use? If the answer is lots then D2 will make a fine knife. But it goes through belts like Michael Moore goes through a buffet.

It will make a knife that is almost stainless, but is tough and holds a great edge.

It is more expensive, I like it but it's more work.
 
O1 is my very first choice of all steels for a beginner and a REAL winning steel for any super experienced maker too. O1 is not the answer to all knife needs but what a blade it can be made to be! As stated just above this post of mine, D2 is great but eats belts like crazy and the heat treat of D2 is not what I would recommend for a first time maker. O1 can be heat treated in your garage with relative simple homebrew stuff (heat treat should always be regarded as the sacrid element in knife making and therefore never be considered as truely a simple process but rather a most significant aspect of the project regardless of complexity or lack of to acheive the heat treat required.) D2 is a deep hardening steel which requires higher temperatures and tighter tolerence in temperature regulation.

Like Dan and the rest say, O1 hands down.

rlinger
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Many makers used O-1 for their first steel.It is a good start.Some makers stay with it for life.
The steel is what makes the knife.Getting quality metal from a reliable source is the way to start ,and the way to stay.
Stacy
 
I agree that O1 is much easier then D2. D2 can be a pain in the ass to finish. You can get O1 hard enough to hold an edge damn near as good as D2.
Scott
 
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