Subject: question- SK5 steel

From: [email-masked]
Date: Thu, 25 Apr 1996 06:30:35 -0700

Hi All,
This question came to my private e-mail.  You guys are the best so I figured
I'd give you a crack at it.

Thanks,
-Jon

>Jon 
sorry to bug you, I've been looking for information on SK-5 steel.
>I'm trying to find out its properties, carbon rating, hardness and why 
>its better if it iss than 440 stainless steel.  Thank you for your time.
>
>-Ed   [email-masked]
>

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From: [email-masked]
Date: Thu, 25 Apr 1996 20:18:41 -0400

If you have questions about various alloy steels, try www.carptech.com.
 It's the home page of Carpenter steel.  Far as I know, Carpenter is about
the only big mill making large volumes of tool steels and other exotic
alloys.  Their library pages are pretty sketchy, but a short review first,
then a phone inquiry may produce more answers.  Unfortunately, reproducing
the hardening and tempering specs in a blacksmith shop is nearly impossible.
 But it's worth a visit to the site, just to see what they have. :-)

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From: [email-masked]
Date: Tue, 30 Apr 1996 08:52:21 -0400

Jon, re your question "what is SK5"   SK5 is a 1085  straight carbon steel. (
It's name is from the Japanese Steel Institutes version of the AISI grades).
This would be AISI W-1.   I'm sure that your friend can make a good knife
from it.  His question on "which would make a better knife, SK5 or 440c",
would set the stage for the great debate amongst the knife makers of the
world. Here's some data on the two grades,  the knife makers can chime in
with their comments;
                                     SK5 (W1)                440C
Method of hardening:   Water or Brine           Oil or Air
Quench temperature:       1500F                     1900F
Temper:                            300F                      300F
Hardness: (300F temper)  RC 63/64                RC 59/60
Corrosion Resistance:     none                      mildly corr. resistant
Notch sensitivity:              slight                      yes
Forgeability:                    1900F air cool          2000F cool in ashes
or pearlite or it will 
                                                                      harden.
I'm not a "knife maker", but have made knives from W1, 420, 410,  440C, and
about nine versions of 440 (w/moly, lower carbon, higher carbon, nitrogen
strengthened), and 440A and all I'll say is that the one I carry in my pocket
is carbon steel.
Mike Schermerhorn

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From: [email-masked]
Date: Tue, 30 Apr 1996 18:47:21 -0700

At 08:52 AM 4/30/96 -0400, you wrote:
>Jon, re your question "what is SK5"...(snip)   

thanks....

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From: [email-masked]
Date: Wed, 1 May 1996 00:42:56 -0400

To All,
The carbon steel is harder, easier to sharpen, has a smoother edge, is
cheaper and more forgiving, easier to harden, etc.

Bill Hochella