UncleBillyKnives
Well-Known Member
As I started my ELMAX build and test project, I got to thinking about the task at hand. With my limited experience, what do I have to compare it to? Almost all my knives have been made using O-1 with a couple of 1095 thrown in. The feedback I have received from family and friends, to whom I have given knives to, is that the O-1 out performs the 1095.
I also have a supply of A-2 that I have been wanting to try. That said, I decided to do my build and test comparison with the 3 different steels. I decided to use a design close to the “servicemember knife build off” design. The 3 test baldes will all be flat ground. I will heat treat the O-1 myself and have then ELMAX and A-2 professionally heat treated by a local heat company in metro Detoit. Included in the cost of heat treat, the ELMAX and A-2 will also be cryo threated.
Here are my thoughts so far:
Cutting out the blades on a band saw. Although very similar, in my opinion, the A-2 cut the easiest, the ELMAX 2nd and O-1 was the toughest to cut.
Rough Grinding. The results were about the same as cutting out the blade. The A-2 ground faster than the ELMAX and O-1. The ELMAX came with mill scale. This is the first time I have worked with mill scale and it is not much fun. Ruined 1 belt taking it off. Once it was off, I though the ELMAX and O-1 ground about the same.
In the photos, the flat ground blades are the test blades. I also hollow ground an O-1 and an A-2 for practice.
I should have the all the ELMAX and A-2 blades back tomorrow. The O-1 blades are done.
I also have a supply of A-2 that I have been wanting to try. That said, I decided to do my build and test comparison with the 3 different steels. I decided to use a design close to the “servicemember knife build off” design. The 3 test baldes will all be flat ground. I will heat treat the O-1 myself and have then ELMAX and A-2 professionally heat treated by a local heat company in metro Detoit. Included in the cost of heat treat, the ELMAX and A-2 will also be cryo threated.
Here are my thoughts so far:
Cutting out the blades on a band saw. Although very similar, in my opinion, the A-2 cut the easiest, the ELMAX 2nd and O-1 was the toughest to cut.
Rough Grinding. The results were about the same as cutting out the blade. The A-2 ground faster than the ELMAX and O-1. The ELMAX came with mill scale. This is the first time I have worked with mill scale and it is not much fun. Ruined 1 belt taking it off. Once it was off, I though the ELMAX and O-1 ground about the same.
In the photos, the flat ground blades are the test blades. I also hollow ground an O-1 and an A-2 for practice.
I should have the all the ELMAX and A-2 blades back tomorrow. The O-1 blades are done.