316lvm ss

[Mike Davis]

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?

 

[Mike Hull]

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.

 

[Mike Davis]

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

 

[Mike Hull]

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.

 

[Mike Davis]

i use stay-clean liquid flux. it works great for 300 series stainless. you can buy it for 29.00 a gallon. the needle bars are 303 ss and the needles are 316L
http://www.dermagraphics.com/ProductDetails.aspx?ItemNumber=6028
this works great for ss!