5610 opinions

Burton Harruff

Burton Harruff

Joined
Oct 1, 2007
Messages
2,401
Hey all I am new to knife making and have been lurking on here for a while. I was just wondering about 5160 steel for knifes. I have done some searching and see that there are alot of makers using it for forging and stock removal. Anyhow I have a machine shop next to my work and they have a bunch of scrap that they will let me have for cheap, they do work for the government. I bought 2 5ftx2"x1/4" sticks for $5.00 each and roughed a couple blades out but haven't done any HT on them yet. They said they would let me have more for cheaper and have since generated a bunch of scrap. Should I grab a bunch of it up?
 
That is a good price, and a good steel. I'd get all I could.You can always sell any extra at a hammer-in or to a fellow maker in your area. Admiral has that size listed at $100 for 22',plus shipping. Make sure (with out making them mad) they are sure it is 5160 and not "some sort of spring steel". Many shops mix up the scrap a lot. It is best to know what it is exactly. You can always have a piece tested for less than $20,if there is any doubt.
Stacy
 
Grab it....steel isn't going to get any cheaper anytime soon. Like the post above, just make sure what you're getting...Mystery Metal is no fun working with.:D
 
I will have them double check but I had asked them before and they checked with the office people and came back and told me it was 5160. They are making a bunch of leaf springs for the military and then sending it out for HT down in Cinci. They had to cut a bunch so they also have a big box with pieces already cut to around 12" plus alot more of the 5' sticks. I will check with them tomorrow and see what kind of deal I can cut with them.
 
5160 is one of my favorites. Initially, I was a little apprehensive due to the lower carbon content, but honestly I like it as much as O1 and 1095.

And it's damn tough! I tried destroying a 5160 chopper I made with a sledgehammer, it just bounced!! In the end, it bent slightly, but I couldn't snap it. Good stuff, but make sure it is 5160.
 
I use it and like it. For HT I like to quench @1525F and temper twice @350 for 1 hr each. Haven't seen any advantages in tempering longer or 3 times. If you are using the stock at full 1/4" be sure the entire blade is heated throughout. I usually surface grind mine to .187" because I feel 1/4" is a bit much for anything other than a LARGE camp knife, but that's just my opinion.
Matt Doyle
 
Have it tested and if its 5160 snatch up as much as you can. If your interested in selling some over the internet I would buy five of the 5' bars from you with a mark up for your troubles plus money for shipping. ;)
 
Burton,

Ditto to what ekibyougami said. I'd definitely take some 5' bars off your hand. Or maybe ya wanna pass that shops number on and give em more business. Keep American businesses truckin.
 
The owner of the shop is out of town until friday I think. I will check to see how much they have for sure. I just picked up a 1.5hp dayton motor today and am going in a week or so to pickup a KMG so I hope to have alot of good steel to learn on.
 
Burton said:
The owner of the shop is out of town until friday I think. I will check to see how much they have for sure. I just picked up a 1.5hp dayton motor today and am going in a week or so to pickup a KMG so I hope to have alot of good steel to learn on.
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Wow! A bunch of great steel and a KMG. You're having Christmas early this year!! :D
 
Wow! A bunch of great steel and a KMG. You're having Christmas early this year!!
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Yeah I know. I have been saving up and looking at grinders for some time now and am ready to get going.
 
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