Hap-40 performance thread

[jpm2]

I have four hap40 knives from Spyderco, and although the blades perform better for me than most other commercial blades, I feel there was a lot left on the table during heat treat. The other high speed tool steel blades I have with 5, 8, and 10% cobalt (not talking about maxamet) are on a complete different level.

Hap40 has a lot more potential than what's been exhibited.

[Wanimator]

It's ran softer than it could be... But so is Spyderco's VG-10 and I'd rather have it roll than chip so I'm fine.

[Skidoosh]

How does it compare to K390?

[jpm2]

How does it compare to K390?

Done to my preference, I'd take hap40. As it stands, I'll take k390.

[Wanimator]

Never tried K390. Does Spyderco's chip or roll?

[jpm2]

Any steel is susceptible to chipping, rolling, or both. Some just more than others. There's a lot of variables other than composition.
I find Spydercos k390 to be pretty good in this regard

[Wanimator]

My question implied the variables, particularly in regards to Spyderco's treatment of the material in question. S30v when ran at a lower HRC rolls, in my experience from Spyderco it tends to chip as it is ran at a higher HRC.

Spyderco's HAP-40 is ran hard but not at the highest hardness HAP-40 can handle and it's only rolled on me when put though a terrible situation. I've never had it micro chip like Spyderco's S30v either. It makes me wonder if Maxamet has broader potential at a lower hardness. I was curious if their K390 performed similar.

[jpm2]

I would like to try hap40 a couple points harder, and maxamet a couple softer.

[Wanimator]

I would like to try hap40 a couple points harder, and maxamet a couple softer.

Yeah, the britleness/lack of edge stability that comes with that high hardness has been the only thing keeping me from Maxamet.

[jpm2]

My maxamet edges are pretty stable. Hap40 and most other steels roll before maxamet chips.

[PeaceInOurTime]

I hope it's ok to resurrect this thread. Since HAP40 has been around for a while now I'm hoping to find some info/advise and didn't think it would be appropriate for a new thread.

I have a HAP40 Endura that is almost ready for it's first sharpening. I generally only go as low as 30° inclusive on my knives, but am thinking of going down to 20° inclusive. Is HAP40 stable at that low angle? Any thoughts, opinions, anecdotes, data, etc.? I would like to be able to cut hard plastic using a lot of force and not damage the edge. Reading through this thread, I believe there was only one report of using a low angle on this steel and I'm hoping for more info.

Is there a consensus on a recommended angle for HAP40?

[Skidoosh]

I run mine at 30 inclusive with a 40 microbevel. In my experience it can get to a very high "sticky sharp" phase but it does not last very long. It does retain a very sharp usable edge. Overall its an OK steel but has not really captured me. I prefer K390 or superblue. I do appreciate it being available.

[youmakemehole]

I hope it's ok to resurrect this thread. Since HAP40 has been around for a while now I'm hoping to find some info/advise and didn't think it would be appropriate for a new thread.

I have a HAP40 Endura that is almost ready for it's first sharpening. I generally only go as low as 30° inclusive on my knives, but am thinking of going down to 20° inclusive. Is HAP40 stable at that low angle? Any thoughts, opinions, anecdotes, data, etc.? I would like to be able to cut hard plastic using a lot of force and not damage the edge. Reading through this thread, I believe there was only one report of using a low angle on this steel and I'm hoping for more info.

Is there a consensus on a recommended angle for HAP40?

I have a HAP40 Delica somewhere around 20-25° inclusive, and never once had anything that could even resemble a microchip. Never had problems on any of my other HAP40 knives either. I've seen little chips on my S30v, ZDP, XHP, and even my M4 in rare cases, I can be pretty abusive on my knives. Considering some of those steels were no less than 30 inclusive, I think that speaks alot for HAP40 – it is probably one of the top performers in this regard as far as my experience is concerned, its got the stability of a very fine grained carbon steel like 12c27 but without the softness or rolling, and it has wear resistance like a proper hard tool steel should have.

[PeaceInOurTime]

Thanks for the input @Skidoosh and @youmakemehole. I'm going to try it at 20° inclusive and see what happens.