17-7ph

[Tom Militano]

Is anyone familiar with 17-7PH steel that Alpha Knife Supply sells? I've never come across that type before that I can remember. I notice that it only goes up to .095. Thanks.

 

[RARanney]

This is from memory, so your best bet is to look up stainless steels on the net. However, I believe 17-7 refers to chrome-nickel content. It is a stainless steel but not the blade type. This is one type Benchmade used to use in their balisong knife handles. I'm guessing,but I believe 304 is approximately the same as 18-8. There is also 15-5, among others, which is used in the aircraft manufacturing industry.
Short answer: folder liners.
PH=precipitous hardening, I think.

http://www.hitechmetals.net/stainless.html

 

[Alpha Knife Supply]

RA is correct. I carry it for knifemakers who do not want to use titanium for liners. It does not make good blades.

The material I have is very soft (annealed) and easy to work. To heat treat put in an oven at 900 degrees for an hour and bring it down to room temperature. This results in Rockwell 49C.

 

[Tom Militano]

Thanks. That's what I kind of thought it might be.