Thread: Blade Steel.

A2 is wonderful stuff for things that A2 was designed for: high temperature abrasion resistance and impact resistance.
This makes it wonderful for things like survival knives, high speed chisels, etc.
Less so for fine razor edges with very shallow (15 degree) edges.

Originally Posted by Bruno

A2 is wonderful stuff for things that A2 was designed for: high temperature abrasion resistance and impact resistance.
This makes it wonderful for things like survival knives, high speed chisels, etc.
Less so for fine razor edges with very shallow (15 degree) edges.

Thanks Bruno,after thinking about it some more I came to the same conclusion,you could do it but you would have to bring your hardness down and then what's the point.Plus the added cost of using A2 just to defeat it's qualitys would be a exercise in foolishness.

For the same reasons as Bruno stated I have often wonder why knife makers would offer a straight razor in non conventional alloys when there is nothing to be gained. I have read that on here before by knowledgeable members such as Bruno. Not being a blade smith myself I just take their word for it. It might be an appealing option/selling point to a buyer who does not know any better though.

Bob

Well, knife buyers are often steel nuts. They want the next 'best thing'. And for knives, some of these properties actually make sense (abrasion resistance for example, or toughness). For razors we need the best possible shaving edge. Toughness, abrasion resistance are negative properties

For us, added value is derived from aesthetics and 'cool' factor while maintaining the fine edge, which is why razor buyers like Damascus or wootz.

Originally Posted by Bruno

Well, knife buyers are often steel nuts. They want the next 'best thing'. And for knives, some of these properties actually make sense (abrasion resistance for example, or toughness). For razors we need the best possible shaving edge. Toughness, abrasion resistance are negative properties

For us, added value is derived from aesthetics and 'cool' factor while maintaining the fine edge, which is why razor buyers like Damascus or wootz.

Oh yea, I understand the why knife buyers are steel nuts looking for the next best thing, just makes sense for what knives will be used for. I might do the same if I had any real interest in knives. It is just that they seem to believe that all sharp edges are the same as knives in what is required of them rather than understanding the different requirements of a straight razor's edge and how honing a straight razor is different also. Two related fields but with enough differences to be noteworthy.

Bob

I am still hung up on 1095 & O-1 simply because they work. I don't need a better steel, I need to become better.

Originally Posted by shooter74743

I am still hung up on 1095 & O-1 simply because they work. I don't need a better steel, I need to become better.

Same boat here. Sometimes you can't buy a better shave you just have to become better at it.

Bob

Originally Posted by shooter74743

I am still hung up on 1095 & O-1 simply because they work. I don't need a better steel, I need to become better.

They work AND you have figured out how to make them work well.