What are your thoughts on RWL-34?

Lots of the European guys do...I think it's also a component of stainless Damasteel. My understanding is that it's a lot like ATS-34, but takes a better polish and a finer edge, due to a smaller grain size. Take that with a grain of salt, since I have no personal experience with the steel.
 
Dexter hasn't heard of this??? It is Swedish steel made by Söderfors.
RWL-34's elememtal composition is the same as ATS-34's or 154CM's BUT it is powder metallurgy steel. Smaller pores, cleaner, less variation in elemental composition... Should be a bit better than ATS or 154CM.
Some european custom makers like J Anso in Denmark and JT Pälikkö in Finland uses it.
 
If you like mirror polishes, this stuff is simply the best - like looking into a pool of Mercury. It is very nice to work, and finishes easily. Powder metallurgy gives it a very fine and even grain. It just annoys the hell out of me though to buy something that is not Damascus by the inch. The last I got was from Wolf Borger in Germany. It was cheaper to buy it there and have it shipped, than to buy it from Walker here. I think you can also buy it from a Söderfors distributor in Sweden.
 
Ferret (or El Ferrettito, if you don't dig the whole brevity thing) uses RWL-34 in his folders. Holds and edge very well, comparable if not better than 154CM. I don't know all it's metallurgical secrets, but it sure performs like the good stuff.

Zero
 
How long has this stuff been around? I wonder why it doesn't see more use? Everyone I talk to really likes it. Could it be because it isn't readily available?
 
That's pretty much the reason. If it were handled by one of the major knifemaking supply houses, there'd probably be a lot of it used.
 
Cool, thanks for the info guys! Yep, I've never heard of this steel before. You learn something new everyday :)
 
I use it all the time...I like it alot for all the reasons stated above..takes a REALLY good scary edge....VERY strong..I bent on of my blade 8 times to 45 degrees just to see if it would snap or what..only on the 9th time when I bent it more than 50 degrees did it snap..and this is at 60Rc..!!!

It is fairly easy to sharpen and has encridible fine grain.

It does not come wider than 2"...that is the only problem I have with it...not a big problem that is...it even comes in .55" thick.....exellent for integrals......which I am going to persue in the near future!
 
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