A few questions.

M

mpj13

Joined
Oct 5, 2001
Messages
108
I did a search on my questions first and did not find really solid info.

1- Is Titanium a better metal for knives than say 1095, 1084 or tool
steel? I know this sopunds stupid, but I am wondering on the over
all difference as far as forging, heating ect. ect. and the
difference in strength.

2- I have heard of using bandsaw blades for knives. Does this work
well? Are they made out of a standard steel? Do old blades work
best?

3- What kind of stores should I look at localy for good steel. I have
found online steel places but after shipping I might be able to
buy it cheaper localy.

4- I have found a site selling Micarta handles. They sell "scales"
and "pieces". What is the difference? Scales are much cheaper.

5- What is the best Micarta material? They sell Paper, canvas, Fiber
glass and more.

Thanks allot for any help.
 
Titanium does not make very good blades. It wil not hold an edge. It is very hard to forge and it is very expensive compared to steel.
The type of bandsaw blades used for making knives are the big ones from old mills. They are usually L-6 or something similar. they do make great knives but imho it is not worth the trouble to find them and cut them into usable sizes then deal with all the surface pitting and rust.
Unless you have a forge there probably won't be anyplace locally to get steel. spring shops are a good place to look they usually have leftovers and old springs that they will sell real cheap or even give away but most leaf springs are too thick and curved to make good stock removal knives.
I would recomend saving yourself all the time and trouble and just buy new steel online. I just bought 12 feet of 1084 from www.admiralsteel.com for $20 delivered. This way you also know exactly what the properties are of your steel.
Scales are thin (1/8" - 3/8" usually) strips used to make scales on full tang knives. Blocks are usually 1 1/8" x 1 1/2" x 5" and are used for stick tang knives.
Choice of handle materials is mostly personal preference. They are all strong and they all resist the elements well. The biggest difference in the micartas is looks. Paper is solid colored with little or no "grain" linen is a fine grain that is a little stronger than paper. Canvas is coarse grained and has a grippy texture. Fiberglass or g-10 is the strongest of all the micarta but it is also the hardest to work.
 
Thanks allot Belstain. I looked at the link you posted and it looks like that is the best place to buy. Do the steel bars 36" 7?" come as one solid piece? If so this would be good steel to make a sword I guess. What's the difference between the cold rolled and hot rolled steel. It looks like only the 1095 can be hot rolled, at least as far as what they sell. Is there much difference between the 1095, 1084, 01 and D2 steels as far as what is best overal to make knife with? Some time it is worth it to spend a little more. Thanks. :)
 
Here's what I can add.

The of the steels you mentioned, only D2 would show much noticeable difference in grinding. The heat treating for those steels would all be different though. Oh, I just realized you want to forge. I don't know how any of these steels forge, so I can't help you after all! Any one fo those steels you listed would ge good to start with, though the 1084, 1095 or 01 would probably be easier.

Don't worry about steel coming in 36" lengths. That is what saws are for! Besides, I think you can ask them to cut the bar into whatever lenghs you need. Or do they send steel in 3' long boxes?
 
I have only bought 6 ft lengths from them and they come in a cardboard tube. If you are going to be forging and doing your own heat treating 5160 is a good steel to learn with as it is very forgiving. I like 1084 myself for stock removal knives. All of my forged knives are damascus. If you can't do your own heat treating I would recomend using an air hardening steel like 440c, ats-34, d2,or BG42 because it will be easier to find someone to heat treat it for you.
 
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