carbon steel

thinking about a run (mixed sizes and shapes ) early next year. looking at steel options and wonder what your thoughts are on
O1 52100 and blue2 im sure i coudl get other steels but im kind of thinking about these for the most part

 

I would need to know how much I like XHP first, but a nice carbon could be intriguing. I'll leave the debate over which steel in particular to other folks for now.

 

Yes.

Or rather, whatever you can make the best knife out of.

 

I've had a cleaver and a knife of yours in O1, and a straight razor in 52100, and all have had excellent heat treatment (of course!). I'd expect that blue2 would be the same. Any of the steels would be a very good choice, though I tend to favor 52100.

 

as for cost i think i can save a hair due to the less involved HT (liek not having to foil wrap each blade) the cost of the steel is not a huge factor tho blue2 is close to XHP pricing O1 might save me a buck a blade so you can see how that hardly hits the bottom line. believe it or not grinding XHP is nicer then O1 or 52100 cause of the powder and the even distribution of carbides
also i have been asked more about single bevels and since they are mostly in carbon steels it woudl be easier to add a few in HT to fill out a batch

 

Any of those steels would work for me but I tend to be a 52100 junkie.

 

yea i had soem tripple melt 52100 hat made great razors but i cant get it anymore (that i know of) no matter what i ll be getting the "cleanest" steel i can and if i can get it ESR smelt i will

 

I have both your O1 and XHP, and I must say they are both amazing. I love O1, but have always felt that 52100 feels softer on the stones, and O1 seems to hold it's edge a bit better. With that being said, I feel 52100 and O1 are almost the same in terms of how good they are for a knife. Erik Fritz's HT of 52100 is otherworldly, though, so if you can dial in 52100 like he has, I say 52100, just to mix it up (for you)...and that way I have an excuse to get one for myself.
Oh, and my favorite edge might just come one your W2....

 

i coudl maybe swing W2 but find it so reactive to flash rust tht it might be a PITA to keep from pitting (+ side is its easy for me to HT )
O1 calls for a mid speed oil and i have been doig it in fast oil and am risking cracking (tho as you guys have noted if they make it out of quench in one piece its a hell of a HT

 

blue steel. oh the sweet blue steel.

 

For a blue steel 180 nikiri I would buy today . Beam me up Scotty!

 

most interested in a single bevel and im sure whatever steel you choose will be spot on.

 

Because I can, since this is the forum that Butch and I share (muahaha) - there will be a left-handed Butch and Tom collab usuba coming up, likely in January. It should be pretty ok....

 

i wandered when you were goig to get to that blade