Steel A8 Mod sharpening and small test.Angle 35 degrees.

[Voldemar70.01]

Hello. I read your forum and found a topic about A8Mod steel .. Since in Russia (if I am not mistaken) none of the masters worked with this steel, I decided to order and test it.
The steel proved to be excellent. Sharpening angle 35 degrees.
Sharpening with silicon carbide. Finish # 2000 grit.
Hardness about 61-63 hrs. Do I need to increase the hardness or is that enough?
Thanks

 

[Easy_rider]

Is it possible to make a machete from this steel?

 

[Voldemar70.01]

Hello, yes, I think you can. I have another piece I plan to make a leuku out of it.

Is it possible to make a machete from this steel?

 

[BluntCut MetalWorks]

Edge couldn't dig into antler on 2nd cut, forced to increase higher angle of cut entry... i.e. edge rolled on 1st cut.
My ht experiments result with A8Mod were unimpressived (umm somewhat disappointed, esp at hrc above 61rc). At the end, I found 60rc offers appropriate balance in edge performance. 60rc A8mod performs quite poor in all areas compare to 63rc ztuff/3V/V4E. Somewhat good, A8mod is slightly inexpensive compare to PM steels. Oh, A2 62-63rc is better and cheaper.

 

[Voldemar70.01]

Большое спасибо за ваше объяснение. Буду продолжать тестирование.