any ATS-34 tips?

bootstrap

Well-Known Member
I am going to be starting work on a few knives, and I was wondering if you guys had any tips for working with ATS-34. Everything I have read about it say that its really good steel with a price point for a beginner.

thanks in advance,

Will:steve:
 
Make sure you have all your holes drilled before H/T.Also take your finish to about 95% complete before H/T,it makes your finishing so much easier.
Stan
 
I agree with Stan. I just got a batch of CPM154 (very similar to ATS-34) blades back from HT, and I wish I'd taken them to a higher finish beforehand. They had no hard scale or pitting on them, just the oxide color from the high heat/deep cold, which sands off easily. Next batch, I'll hand-sand to a higher grit before HT and save me some time later.

In any case, ATS-34 and CPM154 both share a very good reputation for knives. I didn't find the 154 terribly difficult to grind, but it sure does take a while to get coarse scratches out after HT. Once you get up to a smooth 400-grit finish it polishes up pretty quickly.
 
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