Steels

[John Kruse-Kanyuck]

I found this on Wiki while researching more things... I don't know if it's been posted before, I couldn't find it after looking through many pages... I thought I'd share it to help people looking for steels.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_blade_materials

 

I also had a question on one of the steels listed... Has anyone had any work experience with 440C or 420 HC stainless?

 

If so;

Does sit forge well under a reducing atmo?

 

Does it through or case harden?

 

What is the edge retention like?

 

Thanks for any time taken to help answer what may be very silly questions.

Edited June 30, 2014 by John Kruse-Kanyuck

[Geoff Keyes]

You've almost certainly worked with a 440C blade. Mostly, I think, that they are hard to sharpen and, since I can never get a good edge on them, the cut like a dull rock. They can be forged, but getting a good HT on them takes some good process controls. The 400 series steels are close to 100 years old and are not really suitable for knives. There are much better steels out there.

 

Geoff

[Miles Hebbard]

As Geoff says, I find 400 steels total rubish! If your looking for stainless try Bohler and Sandvik, two good blade steels far superior to most...

[John Kruse-Kanyuck]

Thanks! I'll try and avoid them. I might do small experiments if any scrap of it comes my way, but will not be paying for an order of it! I looked into the Bohler and Sandvik. Most suppliers I know about are currently out of stock. I'll check back soon with those, but found one called AEB-L, which Sandvik almost copied; but with a .1 increase in manganese. It seems like a good steel, but of course I'll need to experiment a little first; it calls for cryo, so I'd need to restock my liNox.

Edited July 1, 2014 by John Kruse-Kanyuck