Hardenable metals for blades

Color of bullets indicates it is listed/sold by:
Admiral STEEL    K & G Finishing Supplies       Jantz Supply	Sheffield's Knifemaker's Supply   Texas Knifemaker's Supply

  AEBL

Seems to be about the same as 440-B. Extremely easy to grind, heat treats like 440-C. Very easy to buff and polish, but is reported to have 'several quirky' habits in grinding that makes it difficult to use on larger or thicker knives. No enough chromium to form chromium carbides.
Very good choice for miniatures, kitchen knives etc. It does not hold edge very good, but is easier to sharpen with a honing steel.
AEB-L(Bohler-Uddeholm) - Udderholm Steel - Sweeden.
Proprietary Equivalents:
Hitachi - PS-60 & PS60, Lone Wolf - LV-02, Outokumpu - SF.100, Sandvik - FC61 & FC-61, 13C26
Originally designed for making razor blades.

Typical Analysis

  AISI A-2, A-2 FM

Color marking
A-2: Ends with Red stripe, and White and Red stripe full length.
A-2 FM: Ends White and gold, with White and Gold stripe full length.

This is anAir Hardening steel containing 5% Chromium. It is deeper hardening an more wear-resistant than AISI O-1, and holds a keener cutting edge. It is more readily machined than high carbon, high chromium grades. Where even greater machinability is desired, A-2 FM should be specified.
Its outstanding toughness makes it a frequent choice for combat knives.
Used by Chris Reeve and Phil Hartsfield, Blackjack made a few models from A-2.

Typical Analysis

1/16"	1/2" 3/4" 1" 1-1/4" 1-1/2" 1-3/4" 2" 2-1/2" 3" 3-1/2" 4" 5" 6"
3/32"	1/2" 3/4" 1" 1-1/4" 1-1/2" 1-3/4" 2" 2-1/2" 3" 3-1/2" 4" 5" 6" 1" 1-1/2"
1/8"	1/2" 3/4" 1" 1-1/4" 1-1/2" 1-3/4" 2" 2-1/2" 3" 3-1/2" 4" 5" 6" 7" 8" 10" 12" 1" 1-1/2"
5/32"	1/2" 3/4" 1" 1-1/4" 1-1/2" 1-3/4" 2" 2-1/2" 3" 3-1/2" 4" 5" 6" 7" 8" 10" 12" 14" 15" 1" 1-1/2"
3/16"	1/2" 3/4" 1" 1-1/4" 1-1/2" 1-3/4" 2" 2-1/2" 3" 3-1/2" 4" 5" 6" 7" 8" 10" 12" 1" 1-1/2"
1/4"	1/2" 3/4" 1" 1-1/4" 1-1/2" 1-3/4" 2" 2-1/2" 3" 3-1/2" 4" 5" 6" 7" 8" 10" 12" 1" 1-1/2" 2"
5/16"	1/2" 3/4" 1" 1-1/4" 1-1/2" 1-3/4" 2"
Length	18" amp; 36"

  AISI D-2 (AIRDI® 150) TOOL STEEL

Typical Analysis

  AISI O-1, O-2

Color Marking
O-1: Ends Aluminum, and Aluminum stripe full length.
O-2: Ends Yellow and Pink, with Yellow and Pink stripe full length.


O-1 and O-2 are the most widely used general purpose oil hardening tool and die steels. They are used where it is desirable to maintain minimum distortion and dimensional change, and at the same time have a good combination of hardness and toughness. Machining characteristics of these grades are very good.
O-1 steel very popular with forgers as is easy to work with, and relatively cheap to buy. It takes and holds an edge superbly, and is very tough, but rusts easily.
Used by Randall Knives.

Typical Analysis

PG 1/64"	1/2" 3/4" 1" 1-1/4" 1-1/2" 2" 2-1/2" 3" 4"
PG 1/32"	1/2" 3/4" 1" 1-1/4" 1-1/2" 2" 2-1/2" 3" 4" 5" 6"
PG 3/64"	1/4" 5/16" 3/8" 1/2" 3/4" 1" 1-1/4" 1-1/2" 2" 2-1/2" 3" 4" 5" 6"
PG 1/16"	1/4" 5/16" 3/8" 1/2" 3/4" 1" 1-1/4" 1-1/2" 1-3/4" 2" 2-1/2" 3" 4" 5" 6" 8" 10"
PG 5/64"	1/2" 3/4" 1" 1-1/4" 1-1/2" 2" 2-1/2" 3" 3-1/2" 4"
PG 3/32"	1/4" 5/16" 3/8" 1/2" 3/4" 1" 1-1/4" 1-1/2" 2" 2-1/2" 3" 4" 5" 6" 8" 10" 1" 1-1/2" 3/4" 1" 1-1/2"
PG 7/64"	1/2" 3/4" 1" 1-1/4" 1-1/2" 2" 2-1/2" 3" 4" 5" 6" 1"
PG 1/8"	1/8" 1/4" 5/16" 3/8" 1/2" 3/4" 1" 1-1/4" 1-1/2" 1-3/4" 2" 2-1/2" 3" 3-1/2" 4" 5" 6" 7" 8" 10" 12" 14" 1" 1-1/2" 1" 1-1/2" 2"
PG 9/64"	9/64" 1/2" 3/4" 1" 1-1/4" 1-1/2" 2" 2-1/2" 3" 4"
PG 5/32"	5/32" 1/4" 5/16" 3/8" 1/2" 3/4" 1" 1-1/4" 1-1/2" 1-3/4" 2" 2-1/2" 3" 4" 5" 6" 7" 8" 1-1/2"
PG 3/16"	3/16" 1/4" 5/16" 3/8" 1/2" 3/4" 1" 1-1/4" 1-1/2" 1-3/4" 2" 2-1/2" 3" 4" 5" 6" 7" 8" 10" 12" 1" 1-1/2" 1" 1-1/2" 2"
PG 7/32"	5/16" 3/8" 1/2" 3/4" 1" 1-1/4" 1-1/2" 2" 2-1/2" 3" 4" 5" 6" 7" 8"
PG 1/4"	1/4" 5/16" 3/8" 1/2" 3/4" 1" 1-1/4" 1-1/2" 1-3/4" 2" 2-1/2" 3" 4" 5" 6" 7" 8" 10" 12" 14" 1" 1-1/2" 2" 1-1/2" 2" 3"
PG 9/32"	9/32" 1/2" 3/4" 1" 1-1/4" 1-1/2" 1-3/4" 2" 2-1/2" 3" 4" 5" 6"
PG 5/16"	5/16" 3/8" 1/2" 5/8" 3/4" 1"
Length	18" amp; 36"
HOT ROLLED	1/8" x 1" - 1/8" x 1-1/2" - 5/32" x 1-1/2"

  AISI O-6 (GRAPH-MO TOOL STEEL)

Color Marking
Ends painted Aluminum, with Black stripe.

This is an oil hardening, non deforming tool and die steel with remarkable machining properties. Because the graphite retains the lubricant, it possesses excellent non-sizing properties. It also has good resistance to wear and abrasion.

Typical Analysis

  ATS-34 and ATS-55 STAINLESS STEEL

Manufacture/sales: ATS-34 was discontinued by Admiral Steel, and most of knifemaing supplies are out of this stock.

Not widely known Japanese alloy, ATS-55 is similar to ATS-34, but with the Molybdenum content reduced and new elements added.
It looks like the intent was to get ATS-34 edge-holding with increased toughness. Since Molybdenum is an expensive element useful for high-speed steels, and knife blades do not need to be high speed, using much less Moly hopefully decreases the price of the steel and at the same time retaining ATS-34 performance.
It is used by Spyderco.
ATS-34, a Hitachi product, is considered to be the ultimate, all around knife steel. It is the Japanese version of 154 CM and, comparing the alloy content, these two steels are interchangeable.
154 CM was developed by Crucible Metals as a high temperature alloy for use in fan-jet engines. 700 ℉would not soften it and has enough Chromium to make it stainless in normal use.

Normally hardened to around 60 Rc, it holds an edge very well and is tough enough even at that high hardness. Not quite as rust resistant as the 400 series stainless.
Used by many custom makers, Spyderco (in their high-end knives) and Benchmade

Color coding
Color code on the end of the ATS-34 bars is Red.


Typical Analysis

  AUS-4, AUS-6, AUS-8, AUS-10

Also designated 4A, 6A, 8A, 10A - are Japanese stainless steels, roughly comparable to 440A (AUS-6, .65% carbon) and 440B (AUS-8, .75% carbon) and 440C (AUS-10, 1.1% carbon).
AUS-6 is used by Al Mar. Cold Steel's use of AUS-8 has made it pretty popular, as heat treated by CS it won't hold an edge like ATS-34, but is a bit softer and may be a bit tougher.
AUS-10 has roughly the same carbon content as 440C but with slightly less chromium, so it should be a bit less rust resistant but perhaps a bit tougher than 440C. All 3 steels have some vanadium added (which the 440 series lacks), which will improve wear resistance. No Tungsten. Typical Analysis:

  Sandvic 12C27 and 12C27 Modified

Scandinavian steel used often in Finish pukes and Norwegian knives.

Typical Analysis:

  CPM 3V, CPM 10V, CPM 420V and CPM(T)440V

CPM S30V is the NEW addition from Crucible Materials Corp.
CPM S60V is a new designation for CPM 440V
CPM S90V is a new designation for CPM 420V.

CPM - Crucible Particle Metallurgy - steels are made by Crucible Specialty Metals, and are super edge holding steels.
The process used to manufacture particle metallurgy permits unusually high Carbon and Vanadium content.

About Particle Metallurgy
The traditional process uses the pressing of blended metal powders into a mold. The compacted part is then heated to just below the melting point. This is called sintering.
Sintering is similar to forge welding, since the individual particles are bonded without melting down. Parts can be produced that contain elements impossible to include in casting procedures.
Like making porous filters for gas and oil lines, sintered bronze self lubricated bearings, tungsten carbide cutting tool tips and replaceable ceramic inserts.
Crucible Specialty Metals company advanced the process of particle metallurgy in 1970 by introducing
Crucible Particle Metallurgy.
This process differs from traditional PM in that it is used to produce a large compact (billet), which is than rolled or forged in conventional mills into bars, rods, wire, sheet or plates required by the industry.
The wear resistance and strength of CPM steels are always greater than of the steels made by conventional methods. The fine grain size and even distribution of the alloy elements are the key.
Spyderco offers at least one model in CPM T440V

Comparison of CPM versus 440-C and 154CM Stainless:

Hot Rolled	class="green-ball" SRC="images/green.gif" Alt="Texas Knifemaker's Supply"> 1/8" thick x 1-1/2" wide x 1' + and 36" long - Orange End 3/16" thick x 1-1/2" wide x 1' + and 36" long - Orange End 1/8" thick x 1-1/2" wide x 18" and 36" long - White End 5/32" thick x 1-1/2" wide x 18" and 36" long - White End 3/16" thick x 1-1/2" wide x 18" and 36" long - White End 3/16" thick x 2" wide x 18" and 36" long - White End
Precision ground	3/32" thick x 1-1/2" wide x 18" and 36" long - White End 1/8" thick x 1-1/2" wide x 18" and 36" long - White End
Sheet	3/32" thick x 6" wide x 12" long - Orange End 3/32" thick x 6" wide x 24" long - Orange End 3/32" thick x 6" wide x 36" long - Orange End

CPM S30V

It is a martensitic stainless steel designed to offer the best combination of toughness, wear resistance and corrosion resistance.
It's chemistry has been specially balanced to promote the formation of vanadium carbides which are harder and more effective than chromium carbides in providing wear resistance.
S30V offers substantial improvement in toughness over other high hardness steels such as 440C and D2,
and its corrosion resistance is equal to or better than 440C in various environments.
The CPM process produces very homogeneous, high quality steel characterized by superior dimensional stability, grindability, and toughness compared to steels produced by conventional processes.

   Company no longer seem to exist, so the current Data Sheets are no longer available.

Heat treatment of CPM S30V

Forging: 2100F (1150C) Do not forge below 1750F (950C).
Annealing: Heat to 1650F (900C), hold 2 hours, slow cool no faster than 25F (15C) per hour to 1100F (595C), then furnace cool or cool in still air to room temperature.
Annealed Hardness: About BHN 255
Stress Relieving
Annealed Parts: Heat to 1100-1300F (595-705C), hold 2 hours, then furnace cool or cool in still air. Hardened Parts: Heat to 25-50F (15-30C) below original tempering temperature, hold 2 hours, then furnace cool or cool in still air.
Straightening: Best done warm 400-800F (200-430C)
Hardening Preheat: Heat to 1550-1600F (845-870C) Equalize.
Austenitize: 1900-2000F (1035-1095C), hold time at temperature 15-30 minutes.
Quench: Air or positive pressure quench (2 bar minimum) to below 125F (50C), or salt or interrupted oil quench to about 1000F (540C), then air cool to below 125F (50C).
Temper: Double temper at 400-750F (200-400C). Hold for 2 hours minimum each time.
A freezing treatment - may be used between the first and second tempers. Freezing treatments help to attain maximum hardenability and must always be followed by at least one temper.

NOTE: For optimum stress relieving, CPM S30V may be tempered at 1000-1025F (540-550C). Tempering in this range may result in a slight decrease in corrosion resistance. Size Change: +0.05 to +0.10% when fully martensitic. The presence of retained austenite may reduce the net growth.
When tempering at 400-750F (200-400C), freezing treatments may be necessary to minimize retained austenite.
Note: Properties shown throughout this data sheet are typical values. Normal variations in chemistry, size and heat treat conditions may cause deviations from these values. For additional data or metallurgical assistance, please consult your local Crucible Service Center.
Recommended Heat Treatment:
Austenitize 1950F (1065C). Quench to below 125F (50C). Double temper at 600F (315C) 2 hrs. minimum each temper. Cool to hand warm between tempers. A freezing treatment may be added between tempers.
Aim hardness: 58-61 HRC.


Listed in the catalog of:
Sheffield's Knifemaker's Supply
Texas Knifemaker's Supply

  CRUCIBLE 154 CM STAINLESS STEEL

Crucible 154 CM is hardenable Chromium steel, to which Molybdenum has been added to improve the hot-hardness characteristics. (It is also called 440 C Modified). It was developed by Crucible Metals as a high temperature alloy for use in fan-jet engines.
ATS-34 is a Japanese version of 154 CM and, comparing the alloy content, these two steels are interchangeable.

Nominal Analysis

  CRUMVEAR

No data

Color code- RED/BLUE

1/8" x 1-1/2" - priced per foot

  L-6

This is a band saw steel that is very tough and holds an edge well, but rusts easily. It is, like O-1, easy to work with. Rusts readily without proper maintenance. Some say that this may be one of the very best steels available for cutlery, especially where toughness is desired, but my personal choice for that purpose is stainless.

Typical Analysis:

WOOTZ - Origins of Damascus steel

as the age of iron followed the bronze age, a major discovery of the first steel alloy was made in India. How early it was discovered is still a mystery, possibly even ear;ier than 300 BC.
This alloy called Wootz was traded in the city of Damascus in Syria - the major trading center of the Orient.
It is said that the Wootz, traded in one pound ingots and was so precious it traded for equal weight in gold.
It was so precious that thin layer of Wootz was fused to a layer of plain iron bar, then to make it strong and unbreacable, it was folded to form many layers.
It became known as Damascus steel because the majority of supper quality swords were made and traded in Damascus.
They were superior to European swords in strength, edge sharpness, and cutting ability.
It is said that Damascus sword could cut a silk handkerchief thrown in the air in half, impossible feat with European blade, and still super hard to acheave today with most modern technology and craftsmanship.
Wootz small ingots - about 1 lb. each, were made by melting iron ore with charcoal in sealed clay crucibles, or crucibles with tight fitting lids.
The locak iron ore also contained other elements to further improve this steel alloy.

More reading: Wikipedia reference


Definition of Damascus steel
It is a steel with a pattern on the surface. It is also any steel that has either crystalline or mechanical structure brought out and highlighted by acid etching. Patterned steel or layered steel.

Damascus Steel Types:

• Old Wootz
  - Indian (crystalline = grain going every which way)
  - Persian (laminar = grain arranged in rows or plates and stacked up vs being a regular grain structure)
  
• Modern Wootz
  - Crystals arranged in long sheets, laminar grain
  - Crystals arranged in a more random pattern
  
• Etched to bring out dendrites (tree like formation of crystals in the steel) and crystal patterns
  - From bar stock
  - From cast blade shape
  

• Pattern Welded
  - Layered where individual layers are of the same composition and have same properties throughout
  - Layered where the individual layers are different in ingredients (composite bar)
  - Turkish - twisted rods
  - High density
  
• Wire
  - All-steel wire cables
  - Steel of varying carbon contents and iron wire cables
  - Made-up combinations of cables
  - Streets sweeper steel brush wires
  - Piano wires
  - Other wire combinations
  
• Chains
  - Motorcycle
  - Bicycle
  - Timing
  - Chain Saw

Many great volumes have been written about Damascus and many knife makers are producing pattern welded steel with great success and beauty.
Unfinished blanks of various sizes and patterns are available from many Knifemaker's supplies.

 440-C and D2 Damascus

This Damascus steel is formed into billets and is available by the inch in the sizes listed in the table below. It is fully guaranteed against defects. Instructions for tempering and etching are available.

Raindrop Ladder Random

1/8" x 1-1/8" Billets (4" through 16") 1/8" x 1-1/8" Billets TWISTED (4" thrum 16") 1/8" x 1-1/2" Billets (4" thrum 16") 3/16" x 1-1/2" Billets (4" thrum 16") 3/16" x 1-1/2" Billets TWISTED (4" thrum 16") 1/48" x 2" Billets (4" thrum 16") 1/4" x 2" Billets TWISTED (4" thrum 16")

 Tim Zowada's O1 and L6 steel billets

Random pattern

1/8" x 1-1/8" x 7-1/5" or 15" - Hot forged 3/16" x 1-1/2" x 7-1/5" or 15" - Hot forged 1/4" x 1-1/2" x 7-1/5" or 15" - Hot forged 1/4" x 2" x 7-1/5" or 15" - Hot forged

  5160 and 1018 Damascus steel billets (512 layers)

Random pattern 8" and 16"

3/32", 1/8", 5/32" and 3/16" x 1" 3/32", 1/8", 5/32" and 3/16" x 1-1/2" 3/32", 1/8", 5/32" and 3/16" x 2" 1/8", 5/32" and 3/16" x 4"

  Mike Norris's 'Stainless Steel Plus' - D2 / 302 SS / AEBL.

Random pattern	1/8" x 1" and 1-1/2" x 8", 5/32" x 1-1/2" x 8", 1/8", 3/16" and 1-1/2" x 8" and 12", 1/4" x 1-1/2" x 12"
Banded Ladder	1/8" x 1" and 1-1/2" x 8", 5/32" x 1-1/2" x 8", 1/8", 3/16" and 1-1/2" x 8" and 12", 1/4" x 1-1/2" x 12"
Banded Twist	1/8" x 1" and 1-1/2" x 8", 5/32" x 1-1/2" x 8", 1/8", 3/16" and 1-1/2" x 8" and 12", 1/4" x 1-1/2" x 12"

 1095 and 203E (160 layers)

Random pattern

1/8" x 1" x 4", 1/8" x 1-1/2" x 5" and 8", 3/16" x 1-1/2" x 5" and 8", 1/4" x 1-1/2" x 10"

 Double Stainless by Devin Thomas

Ladder & Raindrop

1/8" x 1", 1/8", 5/32", 3/16", 1/4" x 1-1/4" 1/8", 5/32", 3/16", 1/4" x 1-1/2", 1/4" x 2"

 1095 and Nickel (High contrast Carbon)

Serpentine Ladder Raindrop & Twist

1/8", 5/32", 3/16", 1/4" x 1-1/4" 1/8", 5/32", 3/16", 1/4" x 1-1/2", 1/4" x 2"

 1084 and 15 N 20 (High Carbon)

Turkish Twist Firestorm

1/8" x 1" or 1-1/4" or 1-1/2" 5/32" x 1" or 1-1/4" or 1-1/2" 3/16" x 1" or 1-1/4" or 1-1/2"

 1095 & 01 - Thunderforged® Damascus

This product is no longer available

Twist Pattern #1 & #2 contains 88 layers Birdseye Pattern contains 240 layers

• Heat blade to between 1,400 & 1,500 ℉(760 & 815 degrees C).
• Quench in light oil or brine.
• Draw temper to desired hardness

Heating the Blade
The blade should be evenly heated to a bright red/dull orange color. This should be achieved between 1,400 & 1,500 ℉(760 & 815 degrees C). Be careful not to overheat. Quenching an overheated blade will increase the change of cracking or warping.
Another good method it to heat the blade until the magnetic properties are lost. To test that a blade is ready to quench a magnet may be used. Once there is little or no attraction between the blade and magnet the blade will have reached the proper temperature and is ready to quench.
Quenching the Blade
Quenching is performed in either light oil (we recommend olive old with clove - quenches well we find), or a standard quenching oil. Or use a brine solution (salt & water). Dissolving salt in boiling water until it no longer dissolves makes a brine solution. The brine quench will make the blade much harder as it will cool the steel much faster than the oil. The oil quench is well suited to a large blade where toughness is more needed whereas the brine quench is more suited to the small skinner and folder blades where holding an edge is important. The blade should be quenched either point first or spine first in order to minimize the chance of cracking or warping. Care must be taken when quenching in brine. The quicker the blade is cooled the more likely it is to crack. A good precaution is to preheat the brine to around 100 ℉(38 C) prior to quenching. The oil quench is well suited to a large blade where toughness is more needed whereas the brine quench is more suited to the small skinner and folder blades where holding an edge is important.
Drawing the Temper of the Blade
Drawing, or tempering the blade is done by heating the steel in an oven. The blade is placed in a heat treat oven and brought to a specific temperature. It is then allowed to soak at that temperature to assure a full even heat. The specific temperature determines the relative hardness of the blade.
It should be noted that some parts of all nickel Damascus may test somewhat softer due to the nickel content.
Following table is approximate, because the 1095 and O1 have slightly different hardness at the same tempering temperatures.
Note
When heat treating multiple blades keep ample space between each blade for proper air circulation.




Hardness table for Thunderforged® Damascus

  Damascus from India as it is made today

---

Typical Analysis

Carbon	Manganese	Chromium	Molybdenum	Vanadium
x	x	x	x	x

  Gingami-1 / GIN-1 / G-2

Gingami-1 aka GIN-1 aka G-2. A steel with slightly less Carbon, slightly more Chromium, and much less than ATS-34. No Nickel, Tungsten or Vanadium. A very good stainless steel.
Molybdenum It is used often by Spyderco

  420 Hardenable Stainless Steels

420 steel grade finds application in cutlery such as carving knives, table knives and so on.
Grade 420 steels have good corrosion resistance against food, but continuous exposure of metals to unwashed food substances can lead to pitting corrosion. Grade 420 stainless steel is a high-carbon steel with a minimum chromium content of 12%.
Like any other stainless steel, grade 420 can also be hardened through heat treatment up to 50HRC.
This is less hardness then anealed 440-C at 53HRC - A decent sharp cutting edge holding starts at 57HRC.

420 offers good ductility in its annealed state and some corrosion resistance properties when the metal is polished and hardened.
The first 12% of chromium in the alloy is changed to chromium carbides by heat treatment. That leaves very little free chromium for good rust resistance.

Typical Analysis

  440-A, 440-B, UNILOY 440C, 440F, 440F-Se, and 440-XH Hardenable Stainless Steels

The 440-A and 440-B Stainless Steels are low on Carbon and used for mass produced knives with softer blades.
I suspect every knife stamped as just 440, or 400 Series Stainless was made out of these cheaper steels. Lots come from abroad and it is not readily available from knifemaking supply outlets.
The SOG Seal 2000 is 440A, and Randall uses 440B for their stainless knives.
400-F & XH series are not use in knifemaking

440C stainless steel is considered a high-quality stainless steel, and has the highest level of carbon available for knife making.

Typical Analysis

  W-1 Spring Steel

Most files are made from W-1, which is the same as W-2 except for less Vanadium and more Tungsten

Flat bar

1/16" x 1/8" x 12" - priced per foot

  W-2 Tool Steel

Color CodeBLACK

1/4" x 1-1/4" - priced per foot

  440-C Cast Dendritic Stainless Steel

No data

Sizes

1/8", 3/16" and 1/4" x 1-1/4" x 10"

  1095 Hi Carbon Steel

Make springs, blades, small parts. you will find many uses around the shop for this excellent quality high carbon steel. Bright finish, annealed.
The 10-series -- 1095 (and 1084, 1070, 1060, 1050, etc.) Many of the 10-series steels for cutlery, though 1095 is the most popular for knives. When you go in order from 1095-1050, you generally go from more carbon to less, from better edge holding to less edge holding, and tough to tougher to toughest.
As such, you'll see 1060 and 1050, used often for swords. For knives, 1095 is sort of the "standard" carbon steel, not too expensive and performs well.
It is reasonably tough and holds an edge very well. It rusts easily. This is a simple steel, which contains only two alloying elements: 0.95% Carbon and 0.4% Manganese.
The various Kay-Bar blades are usually 1095 with a black coating.

Hardening
Bring to 1425- 1450 °Fahrenheit, than quench immediately, holding at a non-crucial point such as the back of the blade or handle area.
Tempering
Temper between 400 - 600 °Fahrenheit, depending upon the desired hardness.

Flat bar

1/8" x 1-1/2" x 9" and 12" and 18" 3/16" x 1-1/2" and 2" x 9" and 12" and 18" 1/4" x 2" x 18" - 1075

  52100 BALL BEARING STEEL

Besides using ball and roller bearings, races/balls/rollers, it can be obtained in bar stock.
In comparison to 5180, 50100B and O-1, it has more Carbon and more Chromium.
Carbon heightens the abrasion resistance and Chromium hardeners deeper with simpler heat treatments and makes the blade stronger. It does not take much Chromium, even 0.5% is enough.


Typical Analysis:

  Lescalloy® BG42® VIM-VAR

Applications
A high performance CR-MO-V alloy for aircraft gears, ball screws, bearings and other critical applications
BG-42 is somewhat similar to ATS-34, with two major differences: It has more Carbon, Chromium and Manganese than ATS-34, and has 1.2% Vanadium (ATS-34 has no Vanadium), so look for even better edge-holding than ATS-34.
Used by Bob Loveless, Chris Reeves in his Sebenzas.

Typical Analysis:

Flat bar Sold in 12" increments

1-1/4" x .160" 1-1/2" x .130" .160" and .187" 2" x .250"

Weight .68 Lbs/Ft Weight .66, .82, .95 Lbs/Ft Weight 1.70 Lbs/Ft

  N690 Stainless Steel

N690 is manufactured by Bohler Uddeholm (German company) and is their trade name for 440C.
It is a common steel used for knife making in South Africa
Have not found the supplier yet, only snippets of unofficial information.

This steel also called Austrian Cobalt steel - alloy containing 17% Chromium, Molybdenum, Vanadium, and Cobalt.
Hi percentage of free Chromium makes it very stain resistant - if true at 17%, it would actually have the second highest Cr content - 440-C has the most at 18%.
Hardness 60 HRC

Extrema Ratio knives are made in a Extrema Ratio custom shop in Italy and is not nearly as well know in the United States as other companies. Started in 1997, they have taken the tactical world by storm. Many of the soldiers and armed men and women of the world carry Extrema Ratio. The result is a blade with a very hard edge (hardened and tempered to 60 HRC) that is very sharp, very long lasting with an elastic and tough body.

The Red line of Bench Mark will be made in Taiwan - uses N690 Cobalt SS
There's at least three types of N690 steel -?
Leatherman Squirt P4

Typical Analysis:

  5160H CARBON CHROMIUM SPRING STEEL

Applications
This is carbon chromium grade of spring steel. As the name implies, this grade is primarily used in the manufacture of automotive leaf springs. Other uses include scrapers, equalizers, bumpers etc.
It has a high yield-tensile strength ratio, excellent toughness and high ductility.

5160 is a steel popular with forgers, and is a very high-end steel. It has good edge holding, but is known especially for its outstanding toughness (like L-6). Often used for swords (hardened in the low 50 Rc) because of its toughness, and is also used for hard use knives (hardened up near the 60 Rc).

Typical Analysis:

Sizes HR 5160

13/64" x 1.5"- 1.75"- 2" 1/4" x 1"- 1.25"- 1.5"- 1.75"- 2"- 2.5"- 3" - 4"

  HEAT TREATING INFORMATION FOR SPRING STEEL

This specification covers Annealed High Carbon Spring Steel for working springs which must be formed before the heat treatment. In the annealed condition this material is capable of being bent flat on itself either with or across the grain, in thicknesses under .050".
Suggested Heat Treatment:
Heat according to chart. Quench in oil. For C 1095, quench in water. The spring should than be drawn to the hardness best suited for its purpose.
The following properties may be expected:

  Some Steel Terms, Traits & Elements

• Classification of Stainless Steel, Chemical table, welding information
  • Metallurgical classes
  • How Heat affects Stainless Steel
  • Welding Stainless Steels
  • Stainless & Heat Resisting Steels - Chemical table
• Steel Alloy Elements
• also more types of steels coming up from new supplier.

  Stainless Steel Alloys:

Steel is an alloy of iron that must contain Carbon. it is the most important hardening element. Other elements may be added for specific applications.

Carbon The most important element which increases the strength of the steel, and without the high enough percentage, alloy would not harden.

High Carbon Steel contains minimum of .5% carbon, higher the %, higher hardness can be achieved
Designation First numbers - 10 means plain carbon steel, any other number designate alloy steel. 50xx serie is a chromium steel.
SAE designation system, steels with letter designations are tool steels - W-1, O-1, D-2
Designation Last numbers of a steel specify the steel's carbon content = 1095 has 0.95% carbon. 52100 has 1.0% carbon. 5160 has 0.60% carbon.

Chromium - Gives the alloy it corrosion resistance, forms chromium carbides for wear resistance, and hardenability.
It should be noted that at the higher end of the Chromium scale a steel becomes more brittle esp., at the higher level of hardness.

Stainless Steel - is a steel with at least 13% chromium. The first 11% dissolves and form carbides, left over are your rust resistance.
Higher the %, more free chromium, more rust resistance.
All stainless steel alloys can rust, they are only rust resistant, not rust proof. As with plain high carbon steels, proper blade maintenance is needed, though not as much.

Manganese - Manganese helps the grain structure, and contributes to hardenability. Also strength & wear resistance. Improves the steel (e.g., deoxidize's) during the steel's manufacturing (hot working and rolling). Present in most cutlery steels except for A-2, L-6, and CPM 420V.

Molybdenum - Forms carbides, prevents brittleness & maintains the steel's strength at high temperatures. It is added to many steel alloys, to enable them to harden in the air.
Increases strength, hardness, hardenability and toughness. Improves machinability and resistance to corrosion
A-2, ATS-34) always have 1% or more Molybdenum

Nickel - Enhancer for strength, corrosion resistance, and toughness.
Present in L-6 and AUS-6 and AUS-8.

Silicon - Increases strength, and wear resistance. Like manganese, it makes the steel more sound while it's being manufactured.

Tungsten - Increases wear resistance. When combined properly with chromium or Molybdenum, tungsten will make the steel to be a high-speed steel. The high-speed steel M-2 has a high amount of tungsten.
Popular name for Tungsten steels are Hi speed steels

Vanadium - Forms finely structured carbides to enhance wear resistance, toughness, and hardenability. A number of steels have vanadium, but M-2, Vascowear, and CPM T440V and 420V (in order of increasing amounts) have high amounts of vanadium. BG-42's biggest difference with ATS-34 is the addition of vanadium. Also D2, S30V.

Cobalt - Increases strength and hardness and permits quenching in higher temperatures. Intensifies the individual effects of other elements in more complex steels.

Hardness - The final hardness of steel is determined using a Rockwell Test and the result is displayed in HRC - for the example level of your average butchers knife is 55 HRC.
When a knife is labeled as 58-60HRC, it is best to take the mean of 59HRC e.g. as it is rare to find the majority of blades being 58 or 60. The figures listed above refer to the optimum or the maximum of hardness for a particular steel. 440C for example is listed at 60HRC any harder then this steel is subject to brittleness due to its high level of Chromium.

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