Hello Ed. The only thing I can suggest is to contact Aldo Bruno at New Jersey Steel Baron. Aldo lists that he has 1075 with .76 % carbon and .36% manganese. His website is:

www.njsteelbaron.com and his phone is 973-949-4140

Aldo is the man when it comes to steel and a super nice guy also. Tell him I said hello.

Brion

Hi Brion,

Thanks for the info. You're right, Aldo is "the man". I have gotten all of my steel from Aldo to date, but I apparently misread the specs on his 1075 and thought it was .76 manganese. He also said he would let me know if he came across some "good" 1050, but there is none so far. I just thought I'd try the ABS forum for the 1050 <img src=' http://www.americanbladesmith.com/ipboard/public/style_emoticons//smile.gi f' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':)' /> I'm ordering my 1075 and some 5160 from Aldo tomorrow. I'll just have to wait on the 1050.

Ed C.

You are welcome Ed. The last 1050 I had was from another company and I am not sure if it is 1050. They said it was, but, well you can guess. I never did use much of it because it did not work out real well. I could never get it to hold an edge. Hopefully Aldo will be able to find some good 1050.

Brion

If anyone can find it, Aldo can <img src=' http://www.americanbladesmith.com/ipboard/public/style_emoticons//cool.gi f' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='B)' />

1050 is hard to find these days and I've never seen any with low Mn. Typically 1050, 1060/5, 1075/80, 1084 all have high manganese (Aldo's 1075 is an odd one). 1095, W1 and W2 are low Mn, with W2 usually having the lowest.

Don't want to hi-jack the thread, can someone tell a new guy why higher Manganese isn't desirable or is it for a special application that makes the lower levels better? If inappropriate, I can post a new thread. Thanks for any help

Jeremy

|quoted:

Don't want to hi-jack the thread, can someone tell a new guy why higher Manganese isn't desirable or is it for a special application that makes the lower levels better? If inappropriate, I can post a new thread. Thanks for any help

Jeremy

Low manganese for hamon. The lower the Mn, the more shallow hardening the steel and more activity one can get in the hamon.

Thank you for the explanation, Mr. Hanson-much appreciated. I understood different steels allow for a better, more visible hamon, but now I know the specifics as to why. Love this site <img src=' http://www.americanbladesmith.com/ipboard/public/style_emoticons//smile.gi f' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':)' />.

Jeremy

Thanks Don, you beat me to it. Have fun Jeremy and I love this too. Good stuff.

Brion