R.I.P Uddeholm 15N20

M

MrAndersson

Joined
Jun 11, 2004
Messages
51
Hi Guys,

Just got words from Uddeholm here in Sweden that they stopped making 15N20 (and other steels like 15LM and 20C) that's commonly used in pattern-welding. Unfortunate I have not bother trying anything else when those steels have been inexpensive, leaves a great contrast and was easy-to-get. But well, now I think it´s time to move on to other steels.

Is L6 still the no1 replacement for 15N20 in high contrast blades?

Grateful for any suggestions!

Thanks,
// André Andersson
 
Call Aldo, I think he has a bunch of it? I talked to him the other day and I swear he mentioned something about it, but Im not a damy guy so i dont remember exactly
 
Although Aldo may have it, he most likely gets it from Uddeholm which, if they stop making it, could really put a damper on our Christmas spirits.
 
Nooo! That is really sad.. It's easy to weld with and cheap.. I'll have to order some before Aldo sells out.
 
I got enough for a year or so, but it would be good to have a replacement ready and someone to buy it from:/
 
Andre, it's really great seeing you on the forum.

Which steel(s) are you currently using to contrast the 15N20?
 
tryppyr: thanks, I show up from time to time in the customknife section:)
Right now I´m using 15LM, but the carbon steel is not the biggest issue. Problem was finding a good nickel carbon steel that could replace 15N20. L6 seams good in that way.
 
L6 is not equivalent to 15N20, unfortunately.
It handles quite a bit differently than 15N20 and, IMO, is not nearly as well suited for fixing with, say, 1084.
 
Well, if true, this really sucks. There is another 15N20 "substitute that some of the European smiths use. It is called something like 75ni8. The bad news is that it does not appear to come in big rolls like !5N20, but in bar stock, oft time precision ground, and it is quite a bit more expensive from what I have been told. 15N20 as sold by Aldo is about $6 a pounds ground clean AND already cut up into bite sized pieces. Darn near ANY decent steel will cost more than that!!!!
 
Its not true. I talked to Kelly Cupples today and asked him about it while making an order. He called them direct and asked if they had ceased producing 15n20 and they said no that is was Sandivik that quit adding it was a lesser product than theirs.
 
shane wink said:
Its not true. I talked to Kelly Cupples today and asked him about it while making an order. He called them direct and asked if they had ceased producing 15n20 and they said no that is was Sandivik that quit adding it was a lesser product than theirs.
Click to expand...
I hope you're right. I want to make "damascus" at some point.
 
If I am wrong then Kelly is being lied too by Uddeholm and I have some 15n20 to sell at an adjusted rate hehe;)
 
shane wink said:
Its not true. I talked to Kelly Cupples today and asked him about it while making an order. He called them direct and asked if they had ceased producing 15n20 and they said no that is was Sandivik that quit adding it was a lesser product than theirs.
Click to expand...

Oh that is very good news, thank you shane ! :D
 
My supplier here in Sweden talked with Uddeholm this week and they informed him that they will seize the production. I can not confirm it more then that. I have a contact at Uddeholm who will return to me next week with a more reliable confirmation (he was very busy right now).

As for a replacement I have found a supplier of 75ni8 (Think it�s made in France), waiting for a price right now. That steel is more or less identical. They will return with the price next week. It comes in 2000X1000mm dimension, a little bit big but guess it will work. I�ll let you know the price when I get it and also the information from Uddeholm. Contact me directly for questions or help with acquiring the steel (mail or facebook): northlandknives@hotmail.com, http://www.NorthlandKnives.se.
A Damascus-maker without his steel is like a smith without his hammer:)
 
Its not Uddeholm that quit it is Sandvik that quit production of 15n20. Uddeholm also said that Sandvik's 15n20 was not of the same quality as theirs. Uddeholm is and will still be producing it. Kelly Cupples talked directly to Uddeholm yesterday then called me back to tell me what he was told.
 
GENTLEMEN,

My 15n20 is not made by either of those 2 companies. We order it rolled by the billet(6-7,000 lbs.) from Buderus Mills. The same people that make our 1075, 1084, 1095, W-2 and AEB-L. They are one of the cleanest air melt mills on the planet. We have .058, .065, .078, .095 and .130(1/8) in stock. The .130 is the first we ordered from them. I was happy to see the Ni at 2%. It typically comes in at around 1.6/1.7. The other sizes are from Udderholm, but as they get sold off our plans are to bring it in from Buderus. Unlike the saw blade material this product is pickled and annealed soft as butter. It also comes 15 3/4" wide. We typically keep strips and 5# bundles in stock and the material is delivered burr free. Below are the certs. for the .130. I find 15N20(75N8) to be an excellent knife steel. A lot of guys are starting to use the .130 and .095 for cutlery. if there is enough interest we can bring it in in heavier thicknesses in the future. That's your call!

C-.074 Si-.28 Mn-.35 P-.0050 S-.0010 Cr-.095 Ni-1.97 Mo-.010

Regards,
 
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