1095 steel

N

Norseman

Joined
Apr 12, 1999
Messages
20
I was wondering if someone could tell me what they know about 1095 steel. I see that it costs considerably less then other steels. Does it make decent blades? Is it worth using or should I use some other kind.
 
It's a good steel and has bin used in more knives than almost any other steel.
Ka-bar U.S.M.C
old Marbles
and most of the cheap carbon kitch knives are 1095.
ED
 
I have used it in alot of my knives .
It's a decent tool steel and holds a
fairly good edge . I've found it easy
to work , not all that expensive.
Steve45
 
The cool thing about 1095 is that it is one of the highest carbon steel which can form a hamon when heat-treated correctly. If anyone can remember a maker who does this, my brain is currently lapsing....
Aaron

------------------
aaronm@cs.brandeis.edu
I like my women like I like my knives: strong, sharp, well-formed and pattern-welded!
 
Thanks everyone for your answers. I guess I will start with some 1095. I am kinda new to this and its cheap so if I screw it up I won't feel so bad.
 
Cool another, I was thinking of Dan Pfienstal(sp?)
Aaron

------------------
aaronm@cs.brandeis.edu
I like my women like I like my knives: strong, sharp, well-formed and pattern-welded!
 
Norseman; welcome to the wonderful world of metallurgy! Here are some websites which I have found useful in my study of this fascinating subject.

First; be aware of the 'knowledge base' section on the first page of the BFC website. In this knowledge base, you will find lots of very good, well presented data. Joe Talmadge's 'Steel FAQ's' are absolutely required reading.

Second, there is a very good, comprehensive glossary of metallurgical terms here:

http://www.metal-mart.com/dictlist.htm

Third, this is the mother board of internet websites with metallurgical information:

http://www.mlc.lib.mi.us/~stewarca/metallurgy.html

Fourth, this is a good site if you wish to find out the composition and characteristics of a specific alloy:

http://www.principalmetals.com/

Principal Metals also has a wealth of other information at this site. Things like a glossary, metric conversion table, hardness conversion tables, and the Periodic Table.

Hope this helps, and if other posters have favorite sites, please post them; I am always on the lookout for good websites. Walt

 
Thanks Walt, I will start studying. This will be very helpful I'm sure. I appreciate you sharing your research with me.
 
Nice thing about 1095 is that you can heat treat it yourself in a wood stove. Bring the blade up to about 1450-1500 degrees( it will be non-magnetic at this point ) Quench immediately in oil. You just need to quench the cutting edge about 1/2 inch up the blade. Then put it in your wifes oven for an hour at 300 degrees, take out, let cool then do another hour at 300 degrees. I used this method on a test blade. Bent it about 90 to the left and then about 90 to the right. Straightened it out and it was still servicable( not very pretty though ) A brand new nicholson file wouldn't cut the edge.
Dan N
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top