A2 Steel

Why A2?

A2 has earned its reputation over decades as one of the finest steels for woodworking tools. Its combination of toughness, dimensional stability, and dependable wear resistance has made it a favorite among premium plane makers and chisel manufacturers. For woodworking tools A2 is a balanced steel offering a good balance between edge retention, toughness and ease of sharpening. Since A2 is a air hardening steel it naturally stays straighter during quenching and is enhanced even more with the addition of clamping between two thick aluminum plates during the quench. When properly heat treated using precise temperature control, rapid plate quenching, cryogenic treatment, and double tempering, A2 continues to deliver outstanding real-world performance.