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Old 03-03-2017, 11:37 AM
jimmontg jimmontg is offline
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Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: Now live in Las Cruces NM.
Posts: 1,345
Great then you know s thing or two about it. A heavy axehead is a bit different, but not by a lot 1/4 to 3/8. 8670 or 5160 would be a good place to start. Thicker would do as well, 3/8 L6 From Cincinnati tool steel as they sell L6 in 3/8 to one inch plate for a decent price. Sheared so check for twist before HT.Almost made a Kukri from the 3/8, but customer didn't like the price". Real Kukris run from 1/4 to 3/8 thick, hence their cutting power from 3/8 to an edge is why. Faster to forge than grind when that thick.

L6 is a great forging steel but not easy to find. Only comes in very thick dimensions from CTS and they shear it from plate. But if forging 3/8 L6" is hard to beat. If they sold it in 1/8 to 3/6 I would make some tough knives from it. As a knife steel almost as good as O1. Was quite impressed with the tomahawks I made from it in 2003. A forged knife as well. Great steel, and in my opinion better than 5160 or 4140, but not far different from 8760 except more nickel.

Last edited by jimmontg; 03-04-2017 at 01:11 PM. Reason: wrong numbers
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