What are the best beginner stainless steels?

kevinc said:
Gregor
A2 is not a stainless steel or even a near stainless steel like D2 but with approx 5% chrome it won't rust quite as quickly as any of the other simple carbon steels. It will develop a patina with use but if heat treated to say 59-60 rc and given a good polish it will work fine just don't expect it to not need any care. If its kept clean and dry it'll be fine. Bark River Knife and Tool use A2 a lot. A2 is known as a tough steel that is relatively easy to sharpen and keeps an edge for a reasonable time. Like D2 it is used a lot for the big industrial planer blades.
I started out on D2 and like it a lot but because I am low tech and do a lot of work by hand I got sick of the amount of work involved in finishing D2 by hand. So I switched to A2 its easier to cut out with a hacksaw, grinds easy and finishes by hand much better too.
Rather than invest in your own kiln at this stage you are better off sending your blades to a professional heat treater like Hills Heat Treatments in Melbourne. I understand they do knives for others in Aussie. It might cost you $40 for a batch of 5.

kevinc
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Sounds like a good idea. I will have a look into it. I would still like to have a kiln though, because its long term, but i will consider this option. Thanks.
 
kevinc said:
Gregor
A2 is not a stainless steel or even a near stainless steel like D2 but with approx 5% chrome it won't rust quite as quickly as any of the other simple carbon steels. It will develop a patina with use but if heat treated to say 59-60 rc and given a good polish it will work fine just don't expect it to not need any care. If its kept clean and dry it'll be fine. Bark River Knife and Tool use A2 a lot. A2 is known as a tough steel that is relatively easy to sharpen and keeps an edge for a reasonable time. Like D2 it is used a lot for the big industrial planer blades.
I started out on D2 and like it a lot but because I am low tech and do a lot of work by hand I got sick of the amount of work involved in finishing D2 by hand. So I switched to A2 its easier to cut out with a hacksaw, grinds easy and finishes by hand much better too.
Rather than invest in your own kiln at this stage you are better off sending your blades to a professional heat treater like Hills Heat Treatments in Melbourne. I understand they do knives for others in Aussie. It might cost you $40 for a batch of 5.

kevinc
Click to expand...
Is there a website for hills heat treatment? Or do I need to call them up and ask?
 
Gregor133 said:
Is there a website for hills heat treatment? Or do I need to call them up and ask?
Click to expand...
Gregor I don't know if they have a website. But there are phone numbers if you google them. I am sure there would be other commercial heat treaters in Aussie that would meet your needs.
kevinc
 
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