Heat Treatment Specifications
Austenitizing
Temperature788°C(1450°F)
Soak Time30 minutes
Tempering
Temperature204°C(399°F)
Time120 minutes
Cycles2x
Quench Medium
water
Target Hardness
60 - 64 HRC
Performance Characteristics
Toughness6/10
Edge Retention5.5/10
Corrosion Resistance0.5/10
Ease of Sharpening9/10
Overall Score21/40
Interesting Facts
- 1Water-hardening tool steel, predecessor to W2
- 2One of best performing steels according to ABS members
- 3Used in Bill Moran's 1970s Damascus work
Famous Uses
Traditional Damascus
Forged knives
Best For
Custom knives
Kitchen knives
Folders
Bushcraft knives
Similar Steels
W2
With vanadium, finer grain
1095
Easier HT
Not Recommended For
- Wet environments
- Beginners (difficult HT)
- Thick blades
Expert Tips
- 1Wide carbon range 0.70-1.50%
- 2Lower C for tougher blades
- 3Higher C for edge retention
- 4Easy for beginners