O1 and A2 are two of the most popular tool steels, and the right choice depends on how the part will be heat treated.
O1 is oil-hardening and hardens at lower temperatures, which makes it forgiving for home shops and first-time knifemakers. It machines well before hardening and takes a fine edge, but it can move or warp more during the quench. Many bladesmiths choose it for kitchen knives, hunting knives, chisels, and other woodworking tools made in a home shop.
A2 is air-hardening and needs higher, more controlled heat treating. It holds its shape better through hardening and offers good wear resistance and toughness, so it is common for punches, dies, shear blades, and shop fixtures.
Metal Supermarkets Atlanta (Northwest) in Marietta supplies tool steel cut to length with no minimum order, and the counter team helps knifemakers, machinists, and fabricators across Kennesaw, Smyrna, Roswell, and Northwest Atlanta match the grade to the job.
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Authentic close-up of tool steel bar stock on the racks at the Marietta location, or a customer's finished knife blank, punch, or die made from O1 or A2. Clean bar ends with grade markings visible work well. Real photos strongly preferred over stock. No Google Drive image folder is set up for this client yet, so request a real photo from the Marietta location.
Canva text suggestion: "O1 or A2? It Depends on Your Heat Treat" or "Oil-Hardening vs. Air-Hardening Tool Steel"