Why 4140.

jdm61

jdm61

itinerant metal pounder
Joined
Aug 12, 2005
Messages
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Other than the obvious answer of toughness, why do a number the high end tactical tomahawk makers use 4140 instead of say L6? From what I can see, 4140, L6, S7 and H13 are all about as tough as you would need for that application. The difference is that L6 and MAYBE S7 are arguably the only one that combines toughness with the ability to take an edge like you would expect from a knife and hold it. I understand why folks don't use say CPM 3V because it is very tough to recoup close to $150 in steel cost for .275' 3V alone no matter how much you charge. That also derived the lower end of the custom market and the production market in particular to use stuff like SK5, 5160 or 10xx steel. But L6 is pricy but not crazy expensive. So why no love?
 
I wondered about that same thing when I started making tomahawks. It was my opinion at the time that if the steel didn't have 1 % carbon it was no good for a cutting edge. My first tomahawks were forge welded 1018 body with o1 cutting edge, then 52100 and 5160.Just for the heck of it I made one out of 4140. I expected it to dull quickly, but it didn't. I was surprised how well it held its edge. I was so impressed, it became the only steel I use. One important clarification, my tomahawks are designed for cutting wood, not bricks cars or helicopters.
 
walkbyfaith777 said:
I wondered about that same thing when I started making tomahawks. It was my opinion at the time that if the steel didn't have 1 % carbon it was no good for a cutting edge. My first tomahawks were forge welded 1018 body with o1 cutting edge, then 52100 and 5160.Just for the heck of it I made one out of 4140. I expected it to dull quickly, but it didn't. I was surprised how well it held its edge. I was so impressed, it became the only steel I use. One important clarification, my tomahawks are designed for cutting wood, not bricks cars or helicopters.
Click to expand...
What does the 4140 cost per pound?
 
I got a 4' x 8' sheet of 1/4" 4140 for $700 delivered from EMJ Metals in Houston.

My reason for choosing the alloy is I had worked with it making power hammer dies, hand hammer heads, and regular axes prior to looking at full tang tomahawks. I could heat treat it myself and knew the kind of performance to expect out of it. It's darn tough stuff and simple to work with.

Aldo tells me that more than one maker is using 80CrV2 for their full tang axes. I'm using it for knives and really like it, but will stick to 4140 for axes as it is doing what I want it to do right now.
 
I saw the post water jet "skeleton" of that sheet on line and was wondering how big it was. The price is certainly right on the 4140. :thumbup:
Storm Crow said:
I got a 4' x 8' sheet of 1/4" 4140 for $700 delivered from EMJ Metals in Houston.

My reason for choosing the alloy is I had worked with it making power hammer dies, hand hammer heads, and regular axes prior to looking at full tang tomahawks. I could heat treat it myself and knew the kind of performance to expect out of it. It's darn tough stuff and simple to work with.

Aldo tells me that more than one maker is using 80CrV2 for their full tang axes. I'm using it for knives and really like it, but will stick to 4140 for axes as it is doing what I want it to do right now.
Click to expand...
 
If I understood the prices I googled 4140 is about 50 cents a pound in bulk (1+ metric tons) and you pay shipping and handling. The price is about the same for 4150 and 6150. Both of which, I believe, would make slightly better axes. Although, I think they would be slightly more difficult to work, which would add to the cost of the finished product.
 
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