New axe maker Posted May 19, 2016 Share Posted May 19, 2016 I got some a2 the other day. But I've been researching info on it. It seems fairly complicated to work with. Is it easier to work with than I've been reading? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted May 19, 2016 Share Posted May 19, 2016 Depends on your skills and what you are trying to do with it. I know some blademakers who use it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
New axe maker Posted May 19, 2016 Author Share Posted May 19, 2016 I'm fairly new to blacksmithing. I pick up about 20lbs of a2 for almost $0.50/lb was hoping to make some slits punches drifts and maybe a hammer with some of the bigger chunks but I'm not sure if I have the equipment or the skills to do it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted May 19, 2016 Share Posted May 19, 2016 Always good trading material for alloys you would be more likely to succeed with. Ask around the AK smiths. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crazy Ivan Posted May 19, 2016 Share Posted May 19, 2016 It is not as complicated as it sounds, but as you said, if you are not sure you are confident enough, instead of potentially ruining good tool steel, why not work with more user friendly tool steels or alloy steels? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
New axe maker Posted May 19, 2016 Author Share Posted May 19, 2016 Any easier tool steels you'd recommend? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crazy Ivan Posted May 19, 2016 Share Posted May 19, 2016 Just now, New axe maker said: Any easier tool steels you'd recommend? Depends on your experience level. If, as your name suggests, you want to make axes then 4140 is a good medium carbon alloy steel for axes and hammers, punches, drifts etc. Fairly straight forward to use and heat treat and will make good tools. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
New axe maker Posted May 19, 2016 Author Share Posted May 19, 2016 Thank you all try some 4140. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
allessence Posted May 20, 2016 Share Posted May 20, 2016 A2 is a decent steel to work with.. Just have to watch your interforge temperatures.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Francis Trez Cole Posted May 20, 2016 Share Posted May 20, 2016 at .50 a lb you can afford to make a lot of mistakes. Knowing what type of steel you have is a big help. I like 4140, s-7,H-13 and 4340 the best thing you can do is ti just do it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
New axe maker Posted May 20, 2016 Author Share Posted May 20, 2016 Thank you for all the advice. I'm probably going to get a couple truck axles practice on those for a bit and than see if I can hopefully not destroy the a2. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted May 20, 2016 Share Posted May 20, 2016 Also stock up on spinach; working truck axles without a powerhammer will give you Popeye arms! (not a bad thing at all) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crazy Ivan Posted May 20, 2016 Share Posted May 20, 2016 1 hour ago, ThomasPowers said: Also stock up on spinach; working truck axles without a powerhammer will give you Popeye arms! (not a bad thing at all) Yesterday I was forging a small run of h13 drifts. I finished and started to make a 4140 flatter for an order and as soon as I hit the stock after the h13 I almost jumped for joy. It felt like playdough after 4 hours of tool steel lol. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted May 20, 2016 Share Posted May 20, 2016 One of the reasons I tell people that "practicing" making knives with mild steel isn't. High C/ High Alloy works differently and the temperature range for forging can be very narrow and VERY important---like forging Ti: thud thud thud TING! I work with a lot of scrap and sometimes you get an old very low c very low alloy piece that sucks the hammer down into it when it's hot... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.