Who forges W-2?

[berettaman12000]

Just wondering what the pro's & cons's of forging this steel?
Thanks!

[Danbo]

A lot of makers use W2. Bill Moran used it quite a lot. Ron Newton is starting to use it. I think, given the steel cleanliness problems that are starting to show up with 5160 and 1084, that more and more makers will be using it.

It's really a pretty simple steel. A bunch of Carbon, a little Manganese and a little Vanadium. Should be easy to forge, and shouldnt work harden like O1, L6 and 52100 like to do.

Now, finding a steady source for W2 may be a problem, and none of the usual knifemaker suppliers carry it anymore.

[Darren Ellis]

Originally posted by Danbo

Now, finding a steady source for W2 may be a problem, and none of the usual knifemaker suppliers carry it anymore.

That does seem to be a problem, as I have been looking for some lately to no avail. Does anyone know where I can get some W2?

-Darren

[McAhron]

THOUGHT I SAW SOME FROM ONE OF THE SUPPLIERS ON PRIMAL FIRES.

[dan adams1953]

you can get it in round from enco dirt cheap

[Trey Walker]

Aren't files w-1 or w-2? Thats what I have read. Alot of makers will say you shouldn't bother with files--that you should be sure of your steel. I don't argue that but I have made about 20 blades out of old files and they have all hardened and tempered well.

[Darren Ellis]

Originally posted by dan adams1953
you can get it in round from enco dirt cheap

Hi Dan,

Is the stuff from Enco W1 or W2?

-Darren

http://www.EllisCustomKnifeworks.com

[Davis]

Lindquist Tool Steel
800/ 845-7052

no website and odd sizes, from what I understand, Lindquist's a SC steel mill, not a supplier. Good luck. I have never bought from them, one fellow told me he was pleased and another that they never got back to him......

Trish

[Darren Ellis]

Hey Trish! Crap, I didn't even think of them! They've got an office right here in Knoxville...I'll have to give them a call. Thanks!

-Darren

http://www.EllisCustomKnifeworks.com

[GANNMADE]

toolmakers use w1,w2 ,o1 and the like for drill rod.lucky for me there's a toolsupply store close by called REX SUPPLY .They sell
it in 3 ft section.this is round stock.

[Darren Ellis]

....You guys in Texas have all the luck!

-Darren

[GANNMADE]

here's the link:http://www.rex-supply.com/aboutRex/a....asp#locations

[dan adams1953]

Is the stuff from Enco W1 or W2?

my bad, thats w1.

[Philip Lee]

Greetings from Fiji,

I work with Nich files alot , water hardens well, I bought up all the file at the hardware shop. I heat my water to 190 F for the quench.

Is this too hot for the quench, or do i need to have the quench medium at a lower temp?

Thanks in advance.

Philip Lee

[Ray Rogers]

That's probably too warm. Most of what I read says 125 to maybe 150 degrees. I have seen it as low as 80.

My grasp of the situation isn't perfect but the idea is that warm liquids actually do a better job of cooling the steel faster. It's not just a matter of not 'shocking' the steel. But, having a steam pocket form around the blade is not good and the hotter the liquid is the easier that will happen. So, the answer seems to be about the same as every other answer to knifemaking questions: experiment, and see what you think woks best ....