What's soooo bad about J-2 steel?

[Ebbtide]

J-2 got bashed pretty good in some of the UC threads... Just thought I'd ask.

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Can it core a apple?

 

[Matt Shade]

It just doesn't perform very well. The composition of it doesn't allow it to get sharp and maintain sharpness or remain tough and resist chipping, edge rolling etc. There isn't really anyway to heat treat it to get what everybody wants.Bottom line is its just a cheap steel that companies use to save money on production and increase profits.

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Fix it right the first time, use Baling Wire !

 

[Ebbtide]

Funny, I think my colt python beater is j-2 & I kinda like it. Got it shaving sharp with no prob & it comes back just with a steel and cardboard strop. Then again I just use it for boxes, paper and food.
Thanx for the reply.
Off to the restaurant before the ameteurs come out.
Happy Milooneyum!

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Can it core a apple?

 

[doggyknife]

Most "non-knife" people wouldn't even notice a problem in edge holding unless they did a side-by-side comparison with something like VG-10 or M2. When it comes to corrosion resistance, few popular steels even come close.

 

[Redleg]

The MFGR's love it because it grinds like butter, and it gets nice & shiny. Good enough for most non knife-knut customers blinded by the initial "beauty" of polished steel.It sells cause it's pretty. The carbon content is too low to MAINTAIN a sharp edge. The problem is not sharpening, ( I can sharpen an icicle), but rather the ability to maintain that edge through various and sundry tasks. I don't want to have to stop and sharpen a 420j-2 blade every few cuts/strokes. visit WWW.swordforum.com and follow the threads to the "Highlander sword shopping guide" for an in-depth explanation of the use of 420j-2 "steel".

-Redleg out.

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"Blessed is the Lord my rock, who trains my hands for war, and my fingers for battle..." excerpted from Psalms 144.

 

[Ebbtide]

Thanx for your input. I initially bought the python for the handle, it feels right.
I'd feel bad using one of my Almars for cutting compound buckets, opening oil cans etc. (that was the end of my last POS beater...That carnivour is looking better and better, even after my initail distrust of them.

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Can it core a apple?

 

[Ebbtide]

Just for the record, I dug out the magnifying glass & the blade of my Onion/Python is stamped '440 Stainless'
Funny how the 'wonder steels' get the press, and rarely does anyone explain why the dogs are dogs. I guess that's why I'm here...Thanx again.

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In the long run, luck is given only to the effecient.
-Helmut Von Moltke

 

[Cougar Allen]

420-J2 is so soft that anybody would notice the lousy edge-holding comparing it to anything bearing any resemblance to real steel.... 440A is much better than 420-J2 and it's a good choice for those few applications where corrosion resistance really matters. For practical purposes the superior corrosion resistance of 420-J2 is not useful; 440A does fine in salt water. The only advantage of 420-J2 is low cost.

As well as not holding an edge, it's also easily bendable.


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-Cougar Allen :{)
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This post is not merely the author's opinions; it is the trrrrrruth. This post is intended to cause dissension and unrest and upset people, and ultimately drive them mad. Please do not misinterpret my intentions in posting this.