5160 for stock removal?

[greshamblades]

I have been making knives for awhile now but not much forging, which is where I feel the heart of true makers should be. I am trying to read all I can and study but I think just getting out there and putting hammer to anvil is what I need right now. My question is that I have a good 1/4" piece of 5160 and want to make myself a strong full tang hunting/survival knife. I dont recall hearing to many things on 5160 that are not forging, should I try my hand at forging it to shape or stick with what I know?

 

[Oldnamvet]

If you always stick to what you know, you never learn anything new.

 

[mete]

5160 is the one most recommended for the beginner because it can be forged, ground ,heat treated easily and it makes a good blade .If you've gotten the basics of stock removal done to your approval then perhaps it's time to take the next step and forge.

 

[MCoughlin]

If you only have the one piece I would say don't waste it on experimenting. You can learn to forge anytime. Nothing against forging. I too would love to learn but if you know stock removal and that's all you have for the steel at the moment... .....you want a knife up to your standards or do you want a first try?

...We all know what usually happens with a lot of "first tries".
Mike

 

[Fred.Rowe]

I have been making knives for awhile now but not much forging, which is where I feel the heart of true makers should be. I am trying to read all I can and study but I think just getting out there and putting hammer to anvil is what I need right now. My question is that I have a good 1/4" piece of 5160 and want to make myself a strong full tang hunting/survival knife. I dont recall hearing to many things on 5160 that are not forging, should I try my hand at forging it to shape or stick with what I know?

If you want to try your hand at forging, get some round stock or square bar to work with. You'll learn about forging by changing the shape of the steel from round to flat. imho Fred

 

[Danbo]

5160 is the only steel Bill Siegle uses, and he stock removes all his knives. Bill makes one heck of a knife for the money, as many people will testify.