Another D2 Question

J

JDW

Well-Known Member
I have decided to try some D2 and A2 steels, but while looking at the chemical composition I noticed that Latrobe D2 and Crucible D2 do not have cobalt listed as a component, and Amtek Tool sells D2, brand unknown, and theres has 1.00 of cobalt. What effect does cobalt have on steel? And would D2 with cobalt be as good as or better than without, or not as good for a knife?
here is the link for Amtek Tools data sheet. I hope that I done this right.
http://amtektool.thomaswebs.net/a2info_1.html
Also what would be a good target RC hardness to shoot for, on a clip point hunter, skinner with D2? It will be made from 5/32" thick and full flat ground to around .015" at the edge, then a micro bevel of 17 degrees per side.
Thanks for any help. Dale
 
I don't know about the cobalt. My D2 has none and I am a big fan. I think it would work like the vanadium and tungsten in forming carbides. I harden mine with a 30 min soak at 1850f and plate quench. Then 4 hours in acetone/dry ice, then 2-2 hour tempers at 425f and come out between 61 and 62 RC. I get excellent edge holding with this. I have done the nail chopping trick on several with only an occasional tiny chip spot. I did have one guys son somehow break a 1/4" of tip off on bone with one. They were using it in a wild game processing business and it had skinned multiple deer and elk before this occurred. He wants several more. I use it for small skinners and drop point hunters mostly, but, did make a 15" chopper from some and it was wicked. I used a torch on the chopper to take the spine to 800f. D2 will hold a edge, but it will snap if you pry with it.
 
Thank you SteelSlaver for the help, very useful info, the tip breaking is what I was concerned about on a very pointy clip point, if it were misused. So I may go for a drop point instead of the clip point.
Thanks again, Dale
 
D2

I have used D2 from multiple suppliers and have found that the edge retention varies from one supplier to the other.
 
Thanks Walt2, have you ever used any from AMTEK TOOL? If so what did you think of it?
Dale
 
Cobalt - Increases strength and hardness and permits quenching in higher temperatures. Intensifies the individual effects of other elements in more complex steels.
 
Thanks Ernie, sounds like there would be no ill effects of Cobalt.
Thanks to all. Dale
 
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