Thick decarb on Admiral Steel HRA?

J

joedhiggins

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May 31, 2016
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Has anyone noticed a very thick decarb layer in from Admiral's HRA line? I have had this several times with admiral's steel line. I generally forge knives in batches of 2 or 3 and HT them together. Because of this, I have incidentally tested Admiral's steel offerings against Aldo's or others. They are forged in a reducing atmo, covered in anti-scale during normalization and HT. Consistently, I find that to get to file hard steel out of the quench I have to grind down a LONG way for Admiral's steel (1075 and 1095 HRA) and none at all from other sources.

It makes sense when comparing it to ground stock I guess, but I have never self induced decarb this deep on any blade I have made, despite repeated working heats. It is enough to make me want to swear off Admiral's line
 
They probably don't heavily pickle their HRA steel. Aldo and other knife suppliers may use cleaner surface steel (better for stock reduction knives) or even surface grind it to size.

I forget their steel condition choices, but check if Admiral has an HRA & P option … or buy from Chuck or Aldo.
 
Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith said:
They probably don't heavily pickle their HRA steel. Aldo and other knife suppliers may use cleaner surface steel (better for stock reduction knives) or even surface grind it to size.

I forget their steel condition choices, but check if Admiral has an HRA & P option … or buy from Chuck or Aldo.
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I have bought a bunch from Aldo. Still have a few piles from Admiral tho. I think I will avoid in the future.
 
I still have some Admiral 1075 from like 10 years ago, but it was the slick finish stuff sheared from sheets. I am guessing that was the CRA stuff. Their 5160/9620 was HRA round edge leaf spring type bar stock.
 
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