Description
80CRV2 High Carbon Steel Bar
80CRV2 is a popular and versatile steel often used in knifemaking due to its excellent performance and ease of use. It is known for forging cleanly, heat treating easily, and being able to be filed, sanded, and finished using regular tools. Although it is considered a straightforward steel, it is utilized by both Mastersmiths and beginners alike. Moreover, it can be heat treated using a small blow torch by heating it to 815c and quenching it in oil.
With its wide range of applications, 80CRV2 can be used for various knives, from large chopping knives to delicate chefs' knives. It is also a commonly used steel in pattern-welded steel, known as damascus steel. Therefore, if you're a beginner in knifemaking and unsure of what steel to use, 80CRV2 is an excellent choice.
Alloy Content
Carbon – 0.80%
Chromium – 0.50%
Vanadium – 0.25%
Manganese – 0.40%
Phosphorus – 0.03%
Sulphur – 0.04%
Recommended Working Sequence
Forging: 815-1175°C – do not forge below 815°C
Normalizing: Heat to 870°C, cool to black in still air, follow up with refinement cycles at a lower temperatures
Annealing: Heat to 815°C, furnace cool to 650°C at a rate not exceeding 28°C per hour, or bury in an insulating material like vermiculite or wood ash
Grinding, Drilling, Machining
Recommended Heat Treatment
- Austenitise at 840-850°C until evenly heated – soak for 4-8 minutes
- Quench in oil pre-heated to 50-60°C – vegetable oil or Medium Quench Oil or Fast Quench Oil will all be effective in hardening 80CRV2
- As quenched hardness 60-65HRC.
- Temper at 200°C for 2 hours, twice
- Tempered hardness at 200°C which should yield ~59-60HRC
Higher and lower temps yield different hardness
