Trying to focus on custom knife maker

[Naphtali]

Moderator:

If this query is in the wrong forum, please move it to where it should be.

I’m having a heck of a time trying to obtain Morseth knives for non-tactical, non-fighting use at a price that doesn’t embarrass me to pay. If I must pay prices comparable with custom knife prices, why not buy custom knives?
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1. Among knife steels would I be accurate saying Crucible S30V, BG42, and OK-6 planer blade version of D2 have similar abrasion resistance and similar corrosion resistance? If this is inaccurate, please correct me.

2. Among the three steels, which retains the most ductility when heat treated optimally? I include cryogenic treatment as part of heat treat.

3. Does a convex grind compensate for reduced ductility? If yes, how significant is the compensation? I understand this is not a numerical thing. Please do the best you can.

4. For these three steels ONLY, is there any significant advantage to a custom knife maker forging the blade?

5. Among custom knife makers, who uses any of these steels? Do any of these makers forge blades of these steels? Please furnish any contact information you have.

 

[ecos]

im far from an expert on the subject but heres my 2 cents...

1&2 i will leave for someone with more experience with these steels to answer.

3 convex grinds do offer more support. ive noticed when i do a flat grind blade with a slight convex edge as opposed to a flat ground blade with a flat ground edge that the steel is much less likely to deform when abused. i cant offer numbers or anything but on occasion i will do tests on edges by hacking aluminum cans&rods, thin brass rods, aluminum sheet, thin steel rods etc...in every case the convex edge(flat ground main bevels, convex edge) came away with less damage than a flat ground edge. i havent done much testing on full convex ground blades because they are a p.i.t.a. for me to grind out consistently

4 u will probably get different answers depending on who you ask but imo forging these steels wont benefit them any and may do harm. forging is better done on low alloy steels like 1095, 5160,etc...get too high of alloys and you can run into problems while forging.

5 many, many makers use these steels...look in the Knives annual book(sold at books stores with the title Knives 2005, knives 2006, etc) for a listing of makers...often times they list which steels they prefer to work...or check out custom knifemaking forums like www.knifenetwork.com, www.bladeforums.com. your metallurgical questions will probably get better answers from there too.

sorry i couldnt answer more thoroughly...d2 is the only steel out of the 3 i have much experience with.

 

[hso]

You've got some good technical questions and the best advice I can give to you is to ask them at http://bladeforums.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=741

I can tell you that D2 will not resist corrosion as well as the other 2.

I can tell you that BG42 and S30V are more abrasion resistant than D2.

I would expect D2 to have better ductility than the other higher alloy steels.

A convex grind puts more material near the cutting edge thereby supporting the cutting edge. IF you were to have reduced ductility then a convex edge should reduce chipping/flaking.

As to forging vs stock reduction - can't say. I've been taught to forge, but unless you've got a relatively complex blade profile I can't see any real advantage to it.

There are literally hundreds of knifemakers that use these steels. Heat and beat guys use D2 than the other 2, but you'll find plenty of grinders that use D2 these days.


http://www.timken.com/products/spec...F_Files/air_melt/KnifeSteels/Knife Steels.pdf