Thread: Blade Steel.

As a knife maker my two go to steels are O1 and A2 with A2 being my favorite.I know O1 makes a great razor and I'm thinking I want to make some from A2 .Anyone have a razor that is A2 and if so your thoughts as to performance ? The cost is of coarse higher all the way around for A2 but we'll worth it in a knife.

Can't say I've seen any blades from A2
Plenty from O1, O2 , D2, ABEL etc.
What are A2 property advantages over O1 ?

Originally Posted by Substance

Can't say I've seen any blades from A2
Plenty from O1, O2 , D2, ABEL etc.
What are A2 property advantages over O1 ?

Edge retention,abrasion resistance and more stain and corrosion resistance.My knives from A2 hold a edge for a very long time but sharpen easily as any other good properly heat treated high carbon steel.

A2 may be more of a pain to hone then it's worth, and you may have some chipping problems with such a thin edge. I don't think I have seen or heard of a razor made on A2 which may also be a reason to just stick with O1. I'm sure one of the resident smiths will chime in with actual experience. Mine only extends as far as chisels my A2 chisels are a little chippy when hone to less than 20*

Give it a whirl and let us know , also pm some of the razor guys on here I,m sure they will be helpful, Bruno is making razors out of a couple materials, and the O2 is a fine razor, in my hone guys words , "more like the vintage steel as to the way they hone and hold and edge" maybe some harder steels hold an edge longer but like was mentioned , razors have to have smooth edge not chippy , knives do fine with that its not shaving my face. Tc

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