I was wondering what diffrences W2 has over W1. Would W1 be good enough to forge blades out of. I am asking because I have found it in round bar, and was wondering If it would work as well as W2. Landon
W1 will work fine for knives in fact it is one of my favorite steels to make integrals out of. w1 and w2 are almost the same W1 has 0.25% silicon and w2 has 0.15% of tungsten and 0.25% vanadium according to alphas web site but tool steels are looser alloys in some ways needing to meet a specification rather than a percentage of alloy.
MP
Matthew, thanks. Integrals is what I was going to use it for, I have been using 52100 but wanted to do some with hamons. Landon
Landon, W1 will work fine. Forges well and makes a fine knife. Just slight differences in alloy content. See you in Little Rock.
Brion
Brion Tomberlin
Anvil Top Custom Knives
ABS Mastersmith
One of the best performing steels I've used is W1.
W2 - with that bit of V - is like W1 on steroids. A little bit finer edge and a tad tougher.
I would take a W1 knife over many of the others available out there.
Karl B. Andersen
Journeyman Smith
Thank you Karl and Brion, I have not seen W1 mentioned alot, and was not shure how much the alloy diffrences would effect it. Will it take a hammon as well as W2? Brion will be good to visit at Little Rock, Karl hope to see you there also. Landon
Landon, W1 will produce a fine hamon. Parks50 will work great. See you there.
Brion
Brion Tomberlin
Anvil Top Custom Knives
ABS Mastersmith
