This will be longwinded, bare with me ! I primarily use O1 because of it's easy availability at Metal Supermarkets in Markham, On. I also use it because I am a new hobbyist knife maker that has a home-made forge consisting of 2300F fire/kiln brick, fitted together with refractory cement, a three inch diameter hole though centre and two MAP torches postitioned in angled holes within the brick so they create a spiral through the circle. So far I've only heat treated two knives, that passed the file test, were tempered, but have yet to be truely tested. So onto 1084. From what I am hearing this steel could also be an option for me as I grow as a knife maker, as I scrape and save my way to a heat treat oven! So I wanted to get everyone's opinion on it! The other thing that I scratch my head at though is O1 & 1084 being touted as, 'beginner steel,' as it is home-made-forge treatable...but that leaves me wondering if that's true, wouldn't that make O1 and 1084 the BEST steels in the hands of those that can professionally heat treat them! And if so why isn't everyone using it lol! I must know your thoughts! (Disclaimer: you're addressing a stock-remover ) Cheers Griff.
The only reasons (in my opinion) that O1 and 1084 are considered "beginner" steels for knifemakers are the price: both are quite inexpensive as knife steels go the relative ease of heat treating them: both are quite forgiving in the heat treating process (i.e.; you can mess up with soak time/temper and still get a decent blade.) There are makers who continue to use these steels for many or most of their knives, as they do produce good quality blades. The most common Damascus mix is 1084 and 15N20. There is no best knife steel out there. Some people enjoy the variety of trying out new steels. Some find one they like working with and stick with it. It's all about choice.
the one advantage of 01 over 1084 and similar steels is the longer quench time and still achieve full hardness
I was being facetious when I used the term 'Best' as I understand there's no real 'one above all'...I was just commenting that if your average doorknob (me) can get a decent blade out of 1084, it must F'ing amazing from a skilled / experienced maker lol Thanks Mythtaken and John!
