Please Help - slicing steel

[Sando]

I now have a piece of Elmax steel. Can't wait to try it out. HOWEVER, it is a block: 2" x 6" x 5/8" - yes 5/8".

How do I slice it? All I have is a cheap band saw. Can I make 1/8" thick bars? Do I send it out?

Steve

 

[Danbo]

I'm anxiously awaiting some answers for this question, as I have 2 pieces of some exotic steel I need sliced too.

My pieces are 16" x 2" x .50". Yep, half inch thick.

 

[Mark Nelson]

I have no idea as to how to cut that but could you tell me/us about Elmax steel. I do not think that I have heard of it. Thanks.

 

[SkarpKniv]

do these numbers mean anything to you?

Elmax powder steel

C-1,7 Si-0,4 MN-0,3 CR-18 MO-1 V-3

found it at, http://www.nordellknives.com/indexx.shtml


Hope that helped at all

 

[Sando]

Elmax has a great datasheet on the manufacturers web site. http://www.bucorp.com/moldmaterials/aza_bohler_item.asp?iItem_Id=48

Plus theres an article on it in the latest Tactical Knives.

Overall, its like 440C on steriods. Or another way to look at it: a cross between 440C and S30V. High chromium content for corrosion resistance, but includes Vanadium for wear resistance.

The block I have has some polished areas, extremely bright. The hardened version may make an incredible mirror finish.

Steve

 

[Kit Carson]

Steve,
Got any EDM wire cutters in your area?

 

[Mike Hull]

Why not just make integrals with those bars. 5/8" is the thickness generally used for them. Be a lot of work(if you don't have a mill), but look at the experience you'll gain.

 

[Mark Nelson]

I have read enough here and thanks to the many that post such great info the numbers do in fact mean something. Sounds interesting, do you have any plans for it yet?

 

[Sando]

Kit,

I don't know where to start looking!? But I will.

Mike,

Thanks, but what will I doo with all those left over bits of metal!

Mark,

It was sent to me by a fellow knifemaker in Sweden. Funny thing is I called the US distributor to get some myself and they don't sell bars our size. I thought the bar coming from Sweden would be narrow. Boy was I suprised when I opened it!

I don't have a plan yet, but I'm thinking a palm skinner and a small paring knife.

If there are enough people interested in it, maybe we could buy a batch and get a deal with a wirecutter to do a bunch.

PS, they also have a steel to compete with D2. Less chromium and added Vanadium. Also it is a powder process, full compression. Sounds tough and hard! I really want to try that too. Again only thick bars.

Steve

 

[mete]

It should be in the spherodize annealed condition, therefore a bandsaw ( with a high quality blade) should do the job.

 

[toolie]

Wire EDM can run a few hundred bucks, at least in california

if there is a machine shop in your area, they should have a cut off saw, or horizontal band saw. You will need to make a fixture to hold it in place, preferably set screws holding from the top against the bottom of your slab. most saws are about .030 thick, so you should be able to get .125 - .187 (1/8 - 3/16) thick slices out of your slab.
if you are in SF bay area, California, would be glad to slice it up for you while you wait.

 

[Sando]

Hey Toolie Thanks! I am in the bay area. I'll send you an email.

Soo cool,

Steve

 

[Sando]

Hmmm, toolie, your email address is hidden. How about you send me one? you can click on my email button below to get it.

Thanks,

Steve

 

[peter nap]

How do I slice it?

Give me your address and I'll ship you one of my knives Steve. Sorry but they will only be able to slice 5 or 6 pieces of steel before the cuts start looking ragged and you have to resharpen!

 

[Steve Hayden]

Elmax is a PM mold steel from Uddeholm. It hardens forom 56 -59 HRC from their recommended heat treatments:
<http://www.bucorp.com/Products/MoldMaterials/HeatTreatRec/ElmaxHTRec.pdf>

The site to access info on Elmax is:
<http://www.bucorp.com/moldmaterials/aza_bohler_item.asp?iItem_Id=48>

I haven't heard about knives made from this steel, but I have been wanting to try their Vanadis 4, a PM tool steel. They don't sell it in flat bars though, so I haven't bought any.

 

[Danbo]

My big, half inch thick pieces are also from Bohler Uddeholm. But mine are K340 Isodur. I was surfing around one day, and noticed this steel. It looks pretty good for a knife blade. Not a powder steel, but looks promising anyway. Analysis is as follows:

Carbon: 1.10 %
Silicon: .90 %
Manganese: .40 %
Chrome: 8.30 %
Molybdenum: 2.10 %
Vanadium: .50 %
Special Additions: +AL, +Nb (I don't know these symbols)

It is sold as a very clean, vacuum melted tool steel. Anybody know anything about this steel?

 

[mete]

Al is aluminum, Nb is niobium (chemists use the name niobium, metallurgists usually use the name columbium ,Cb ). Closest to our A series and probably air hardening. Should make a good knife steel.

 

[Sando]

The current issue of Tactical Knives has a short piece on ELMAX and lists a commercial maker in Germany.

Shgeo, I really, really want to try out Vanadis 4. Sounds really cool.

But the size is a real problem.

Steve

 

[Steve Hayden]

Yeah the Vanadis 4 sounds like 3V on steroids. I haven't heard much about it as knife steel, but I would like to try it.

 

[Steve Hayden]

Danbo, the data sheets for 340 Isodur are at:

<http://www.bucorp.com/Products/ColdWorkSteels/DataSheets/k340.pdf>

As usual with BUCORP, the is a lot of good stuff here.