What can you tell me about A2?

[Handwrecker]

I recently picked up a small fixed blade in A2 to be my woods knife. Out of curiosity, I'd like to know a little more about A2.

- I know that it's an ingot tool steel
- I hear it's supposed to be tough with decent wear resistance

That's about the extent of what I know. If anyone has experience with A2, please share. I'm familiar with 1095 for carbon steels, and M4 for tool steels. Most of my folders are stainless (S30V, VG10, etc). But never gotten a chance to use A2 before. It seems to sharpen up well like 1095, just maybe not quite as easy. How tough is it? Anything I need to look out for? Anything it's similar too?

Thanks!

 

[Kru03]

I know that if you let your wife cut onions at the campsite with it - and when she invariably leaves it sitting in the onion rinds (despite being warned not to do so) for 30 minutes, it will stain the heck out of your knife. I've got a litte Bark River made w/ A2. It's actually got a pretty cool patina on it now. Holds edge well and I haven't had it roll, but it's a smallish knife so I haven't used it for anything too rough.

 

[foxx]

I have a few Bark River's in A2. I've been pretty rough on my little IMP. It's a pretty small blade, with a full length handle, so I can put full strength behind it. I got the IMP used, and it wasn't shaving sharp, so I went out and used it hard. I'd say it is tough, no rolling or chipping at all. It's doens't hold that edge as long as their new CPM S35VN, but it will sharpen back up much faster. I have a Bravo 1 in A2 as well, I've used it a bit, but not quite so hard. Both have pretty thin edges, compared to ESEE, TOPS, or Swamp Rat(my Waki) and abuse may prove otherwise, but I expect the same performace as my IMP. Both cut like lasers!
I's say that edge geometry and HT will be the deciding factors of most steels, a thinner edge cuts better, but risks damage more than a wider angle. Bark River Knives are ground by hand, so each one has some variation. Don't judge the steel based on one knife being too thin, for example.
I like my experience with it, and would gladly buy a large chopper made from it. Sometimes you need toughness, othertimes you need hardness and edge retention. Mine seem to be balanced for A2's characteristics.

 

[jossta]

A-2 An excellent air-hardening tool steel, it is known for its great toughness and good edge holding. As an air-hardening steel, so don't expect it to be differentially tempered. Its outstanding toughness makes it a frequent choice for combat knives. Chris Reeve and Phil Hartsfield both use A-2, and Blackjack made a few models from A-2.

From here:

http://www.knifeart.com/steelfaqbyjo.html

 

[michaelm466]

 

[Handwrecker]

Thanks for the info everyone. I'm very glad to read a little bit about the great toughness of A2. I need this knife to be tough, and A2 sounds like a good choice.

 

[Mannlicher]

I like A2, and have had several knives made of that steel.

It holds a good edge, seems to not chip or roll, and is not that difficult to sharpen. It will stain easily, but a rub down with Wenol and a soft cloth keeps mine looking great.
This 10 inch chopper by Tim Olt is A2, and a heck of a camp knife.

 

[Handwrecker]

That's a pretty serious chopper, nice looking knife.

My blade in A2 is a little smaller, a Landi Kinzua. It's been a good size to just toss into my backpack whenever I head out.

So far it seems to be a little more corrosion resistant than 1095. I cut some sumac berries while out today, and I'm interested to see how much it stains/patinas.

 

[me2]

A2 is the general purpose air-hardening tool steel. Heat treatment can be a little finiky, and can be manipulated to give a large range of properties. I've seen it used for everything from folders to swords. It has considerable chromium in the mix to aid the air hardening trait, but not near enough to be stainless. It will be noticably more corrosion resistant than 1095, 01, etc.

Regarding toughness, I've read references where peak toughness is in the 60ish HRc range, and some that give it in the 63ish range, with a drop and a recovery in the 57ish range. These probably come from slightly different formulations of A2. If you know your A2 is from Crucible, using their recommendations will get you very close. If it came from somewhere else, some experimentation is in order w/r to heat treatment. As an end user, you have a time-tested tool steel suitable for a wide range of blade uses.