W2 edge retention and corrosion resistance?

Rick Barrett almost exclusively use W2 for his katana so with proper differential hardening, W2 is definitely a tough steel.

But from my point of view, the real advantage of W2 is pretty much like Japanese White steel series which is the capability to hold a very acute edge like 8-10 degree per side. From my experience low alloy high carbon steel with very fine grain structure (such as 52100, W2) are better than most high alloy steel in that aspect. Thats why these kind of steel are great and almost always preferred among best kitchen knife maker in the world.

But when it come to regularly edge angle like 15 degree per side, high performance PM tool steel like V4E, M4, 3V, 4V, Cruwear etc. will start to have an edge due to much higher wear resistance, carbide strengthening, higher attainable working hardness (not as quenched HRC!) etc.

For corrosion resistance part W2 is just among the worst like most carbon steel.
 
A few years back, I was told that Bailey Bradshaw made a through hardened W2 katana for a forumite and that it worked very well.
 
W2 is probably the ultimate simple carbon steel. When heat treated well, it can do well in most applications. If I only had access to one steel after the zombie apocalypse, my preference would be W2.
 
Willie71 said:
W2 is probably the ultimate simple carbon steel. When heat treated well, it can do well in most applications. If I only had access to one steel after the zombie apocalypse, my preference would be W2.
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The more I read about W2, the more it seems that way. We hear so much about O1, 1095, 52100 and 5160, but I would trade them for W2, L6 and 80CrV2.
 
52100 using the lower temp for austenizing is supposed to be pretty impressive too.
RX-79G said:
The more I read about W2, the more it seems that way. We hear so much about O1, 1095, 52100 and 5160, but I would trade them for W2, L6 and 80CrV2.
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jdm61 said:
52100 using the lower temp for austenizing is supposed to be pretty impressive too.
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Definitely. But it seems like it is about the trickiest steel to heat treat properly because of all that carbon. A2 or W2 seem like they have a higher likelihood of an excellent outcome.
 
RX-79G said:
Definitely. But it seems like it is about the trickiest steel to heat treat properly because of all that carbon. A2 or W2 seem like they have a higher likelihood of an excellent outcome.
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Isn't is around 0.96% ? I thought W2 had more than 52100?


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Ghostman3 said:
Isn't is around 0.96% ? I thought W2 had more than 52100?


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Depending on the source, 52100 can be from about 0.95-1.05% carbon. The W2 currently available is about 0.95% carbon. The spec is wide from down around 0.6% iirc, to 1.5%. Those numbers don't matter much as the stock we all have access to is just below 1% carbon.
 
Out of curiosity, has anyone here used W2 for a Scandi ground "bushcraft" knife? Does/would it work if scandi ground to a zero edge? I have never seen W2 used like this but kind of like the idea of a narrow hamon along a scandi bevel :)
 
I REALLY like 52100. I have some of dons W2 from years ago, maybe 8-9 yards ago. Honestly I don't use it much because I only have 4ft of 2.25" bar stock (can't remember exzact diamater). I would use it more if I had more of it, so it's kinda protected in my shop and only comes out for special occasions. That being said I really love the performance of 52100. Yes it's fiddly to heat treat and forge but when it's done right it really shines. i forged a fillet out of a med size roller bearing and it was most impressive. This summer I used it to fillet and process 16 walley and still hair shaving sharp. It now has a new home with a guy that had to have it for processing venison jerky but I do miss it. I would not hesitate to make another one just for me.
 
Chris Larrikin said:
Out of curiosity, has anyone here used W2 for a Scandi ground "bushcraft" knife? Does/would it work if scandi ground to a zero edge? I have never seen W2 used like this but kind of like the idea of a narrow hamon along a scandi bevel :)
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I haven't done it myself, but I can't imagine it wouldn't shine in this application. Considering it performs better than O1 or 1095, which are used in this application commonly, it should shine.
 
W2 holds a better edge than 1095 because the added vanadium pins the grain boundaries. There is not enough vanadium to create vanadium carbides. Finer grain increases edge holding and toughness. I've seen a couple of studies showing that the finer the grain the greater edge holding and toughness.

Hoss
 
DevinT said:
W2 holds a better edge than 1095 because the added vanadium pins the grain boundaries. There is not enough vanadium to create vanadium carbides. Finer grain increases edge holding and toughness. I've seen a couple of studies showing that the finer the grain the greater edge holding and toughness.

Hoss
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Is there any hypereutectoid steel that isn't better than 1095?

But W2 does have that fine grain magic that makes AEB-L special, too.
 
Interesting thread. If I can add 2 questions, how is it's weldability with 15N20 for Damascus? How is it's color with etching?
thanks
~billyO
 
52100 also has very fine grain structure too since Cr carbide help on pinning grain boundaries. And don't forget that there are some 52100 are made with vacuum induction melted plus vacuum arc remelted (such as Bohler's R100) thus much better quality overall structure than other low alloy high carbon steel.

From my experience 52100 is the highest performance carbon steel. The edge holding is pretty much the same while being significantly tougher than W2.
 
weo said:
Interesting thread. If I can add 2 questions, how is it's weldability with 15N20 for Damascus? How is it's color with etching?
thanks
~billyO
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W2 welds fine and works very well with 15N20. Color is dark gray, but not as dark as 1084, because of lower manganese.
 
Willie71 said:
I have been thinking this would be an exceptional kitchen knife Damascus.
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It would be fantastic! The bulk of my damascus is 1084/15N20, but I usually add a couple pieces of W2 to every billet.
I have done a couple billets of straight W2/15N20 and it does perform & look great!
 
Don Hanson III said:
It would be fantastic! The bulk of my damascus is 1084/15N20, but I usually add a couple pieces of W2 to every billet.
I have done a couple billets of straight W2/15N20 and it does perform & look great!
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I need some extra time to weld my press together.
 
shqxk said:
52100 also has very fine grain structure too since Cr carbide help on pinning grain boundaries. And don't forget that there are some 52100 are made with vacuum induction melted plus vacuum arc remelted (such as Bohler's R100) thus much better quality overall structure than other low alloy high carbon steel.

From my experience 52100 is the highest performance carbon steel. The edge holding is pretty much the same while being significantly tougher than W2.
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It sounds like W2 is a very good steel. Iv never had 52100 myself but heard a lot of good things. If W2 is about the same as 01 I'll be very happy. For carbon and tool steel I currently have 1095 from esee and a custom in a2. I will assume W2 will fall in between those somewhere for edge holding.
 
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