W2

If you are asking about the composition of W2, you need to know that it can vary quite a bit. That's why some people don't like to use it. The best thing to do is to as for an analysis from your supplier. Some might only give you a standard composition which may or may not represent the lot that they have on hands. If you go to The New Jersey Steel Baron Aldo lists the actual analysis of what he sells. If you need an ITT diagram for the steel, get the actual analysis and go to Bladesmith's Forum to the heat treating section and has a link to a site that you can enter the composition of the steel on and get a calculated diagram.

Doug
 
Last edited:
This link suggests it has maximum toughness and adequate edge retention. Kind of the opposite of the comments on the site Michael posted. I guess, like most things knife related, opinions vary. :)

Can't comment personally, because I haven't used it - but I'm about to.
 
Not only do opinions vary but so do the conditions of testing. One thing to keep in mind is that most, if not all, of the testing done that generates that data is performed on pieces of steel much different in size and shape than a knife blade. For instance, the information given states that W2 will form a hard shell of steel around a tough core. This does not happen with knife blades. With knife blades martensitic steel will be formed to twice the depth of hardening, which is very dependent on grain size, thicker than that, pearletic steel will be formed with the possibility of some upper bainite developement, depending on the actual cooling curve in relationship to the actual ITT diagram.

Doug
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top