316lvm ss

Mike Davis

Mike Davis

Joined
Feb 7, 2006
Messages
1,327
i work with 316 lvm surgical stainless steel everyday. i was wondering if it would make a good blade. i know that surgical scalpals are made with it, why not make a knife.
any suggestions?
 
No, it won't. Scalpel handles may be made of it, but the blades(very similar to exacto blades, and replaceable in a similar fashion) are high carbon steel, whether stainless or tool steel, I don't know. The blade portion and some handles are discarded after surgery.

300 series SS cannot be hardened, and it won't will take an edge that will last more than a couple of cuts, if that.

It just wasn't designed as a blade steel.
 
thanks mike, you just saved me alot of time!maybe i could make some handles or inserts out of it. i have 10 guage round stock and i was thinking about heating and twisting about 50 strands together(similar to cable damascus)flattening it and milling it out for a handle. just a thought
 
Y/W! You can also use it for guards, or bolsters. The guards I would suggest affixing with JB weld as 300 series SS is very hard to solder for many people, me included.

The round stock could also be used for handle pins, etc.
 
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