A bunch of questions...

Crayola

Crayola

Joined
Sep 23, 1999
Messages
3,831
Hello! I have 2 questions I think...

How much stronger is 1/4" steel over 3/16"? I want to make myself a field knife from I think ATS-34 and the place near me that I can get it goes no higher than 3/16" thick. If 3/16" thick will still do fine for a tough as nails fixed blade, I may just go with that.

My second question is where can a hobby maker like myself get very small orders of knife steel? I make a knife every now and again, so I don't need to get lots. FOr instance, this field knife project will take me a long time to do, so I only need one 12" bar of steel. Is it wacko to ask here to buy one piece of steel from, say, makers?
 
Karl, I do not understand why folks think they need a 1/4" thick blade for general purpose knifing. I guarentee you, anyone with some skill can take a 1/8" blade and do most tasks they encounter. The only thing I would think you'd need a 1/4" blade for would be if you had alot of chopping to do and then my advice would be the same as Pat's, get an axe. Whew, been wantin to let that loose for a while now.
As far as small orders of steel, I'm fixin to order some from Admiral and would be happy to add some to the order for you. Lemme know whatcha need.
 
Crayola try Jantz Supply
they list ATS-34 in 9in.
12in. & 18in. I`m with
L6 it`s all in the H.T.
 
If your doing metal removal, as I assume you are, then 3/16 is plenty and will make a good stout blade, but if your forging you need to go to at least 1/4 and I like 3/8, because it leaves plenty for grinding off the burnt scale and any hammer marks you didn't get out when straightening and flattening.

As for small orders of steel, most of the time you can get a longer piece of steel for just a little more money and the shipping will be the same for a foot or 3 feet. Then you won't have to pay several times for shipping small pieces. Just something to think about.

Bill B.????
 
as L6 said 1/8 would work, i myself use mostly ats-34/154cm and i dont go over 3/16" except by request. and my favorite for field blades is 5/32". www.trugrit.com will sell 1 ft pieces but i agree get three ft because of shipping.
 
3/16 inch stoch is just fine in my book.My 12 inch Dragon Slayer Bowies are only 3/16 inch thich and Marrio was able to cleave through the leg of lamb test with no problems.In my opinion 1/4 inch is just to thick and the only way i will go thicker than 3/16 is if a customer requests it,or I am reproducing a original piece and it is made from thicker stock..
The answer to that question really is in yourself.Which do you prefer,if you feel 1/4 inch is not to thick and that is what you want then use it.Different people like different weights in there knives:)
The 1/4 inch will take longer to grind out also.
Good luck,
Bruce
 
What the HE(( you planing on chopping?????
If you need a foot of this or 6 inches of that drop me a line. Does the Bridge not have a House of Tools?
 
Thanks to all who have replied, except for Robert!

Robert, I think you are just teasing me! The HAt has a HOT, and WE DON'T! It pisses me off, I am soooo jealous! We have more freakin' building and tool stores than we need, so we're never going to get a HOT :(

By the way, I tried out one of those new belts yesterday. WOW! They are real steel eaters :) I'll be sending you a MO right away from my first knife maker paycheck! It should be here early this week.
 
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