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Post by Deleted on Sept 27, 2008 22:00:18 GMT
Just picked up some old planer blades from a friend at a lumber mill. Went over to SFI and was told I can't forge this stuff. But it's nice steel and I got to do something with it. Any suggestions? Do you want a couple of pieces to play with. I'm not far from yulan(yes I know where it is ;D) could meet you in narrowsburg or there abouts. Also, just might be getting a nice forge for the backyard, do you give lessons? ps, Have access to all kinds of neat wood.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 28, 2008 2:55:57 GMT
It's probably more similar to A2 Bobo, a buddy of mine had some planer blades analysed and that is what they came out to be. Who on SFI told you it can't be forged? Hang onto it and give it a try in the forge, if you got em for free no loss:D. Or you can stock remove, but plan to burn up some belts A2 is air hardening so will be hard near impossible to anneal or normalise without highly scientific controlled ovens.
I don't really give lessons anymore, as I don't really have a shop anymore, but maybe when you get your forge we could get together and get it hooked up and tuned just right. i would be interested in some nice woods in trade for some tips and tricks:D.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 28, 2008 13:16:55 GMT
Sam, This is defiantly M-2 (stamped on the back). Robert C stated he had never heard of anyone trying to forge it, and I shouldn't try. Steve Sells on the other hand said he had a friend who used it with 2 other similar steels all forge welded together. But as you state this stuff is a mother to work with. If I could figure out how to anneal it , I'd just break out the files. It takes 1600 degrees F to anneal, but there was a special why to cool it that I just don't understand. They say it can be forged at 2050 degrees. But I have 6 pieces of this stuff and it didn't cost me a dime, so I might just have a go at it. Thanks for your help sam,and if I get this forge( 1903 lancaster,handcranked) I'll drop you a line.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 13, 2008 19:31:57 GMT
Hi there. I know this is kind of an old post and you might have gotten an answer already, but I thought I'd chime in.
I've never personally worked with M-2, but in 'The Hand Forged Knife: an Introduction to the Working of Modern tool Steels' by Karl Schroen, Mr. Schroen states that it has the best wear resistance, toughness, and edge holding ability that he's ever seen in a knife steel. However, he also states that it is difficult to forge and requires high levels of skill and concentration at all levels of working, and thus is unsuitable for beginners.
I was also interested in this steel's applications a while back and, thus far, this is the only info I've found (A brief Google search revealed that M-2 is indeed used by knife makers, but this is the only info I have on actually working it). I was discouraged not only by the difficulty of working it, but also by it's relatively high price. But, if Mr. Schroen's book is to be believed, proper working and heat treating of this steel can be very rewarding.
I guess it's up to you if want to give it a shot. I hope this info helps a little.
-David-
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