What is the difference between 1095 and 1084 ?

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

A hamon is the product of a shallow hardening steel. The lower the Mn and any other elements that will deepen (slow) the hardening, the less this effect can be achieved. 1095 and W1/W2 will give a good hamon. 1084 has more Manganese and in Aldo's mix, a tad of vanadium. These will make it easier to HT, but lessen any hamon. You may get a hamon to show , but much less active and distinct. The other problem is that to get a really active hamon, yaki-ire ( the Japanese sword quenching method) requires a water/brine quench. 1084 does far better in a fast oil. Other steels, like O-1 and A-2 won't harden fast enough to get any hamon.