Mike describes A-2 very well. We don't use it because I've never found
it to contribute enough extra to the cutting edge (where the metal meets
the wood) to justify the extra expense (the metal, the machining,
grinding and hardening are all more expensive.) It's primary advantage
is its air-hardening ability which makes for politeness in heat-treating
(little warpage). It may hold an edge a little longer but you trade
sharpenability and considerable extra expense for a small difference.
And I still contend that the simpler alloys will get simply sharper (but
when I look at my boxes full of warped, rejected blades, I wonder...)

Ron

Mike Yazel wrote:
> > I was also intrigued by the use of A2 tool steel in the
> > Holtey and perhaps Ron Hock can pitch in and educate us as to its
> > pro's/con's.
>
>    I'm not Ron but the differance is the alloy formula and "cleanness"
> or purity
> of the alloy. It is an atmospheric quenching material as opposed to oil
> quenching
> of O1. It cost more and wears a little better than O1 in tooling
> applications but
>  is not as application sensitive as the more specialized tool steels
> such as S-7 and
> the like. A-2 is a more general tool steel much like O-1 in use. We use
> it because the
> heat-treating facility we use is air harding alloys only and it does
> wear slightly
> better due to its finer grain structure. It does however still contain
> the high edge
> capability of high carbon steels as opposed to the tougher but harder to
> sharpen "high speed
> alloys".
>
>     Mike Yazel    Hoosier Tool
>