Admiral Steel

scubasteve4sq said:
Unfortunately, your succinct and coarse reply sets a tone that Admiral Steel is not interested in from any level of business. As a result, we respectfully decline any further communication and business with you.

Did I pop off at the guy? Yeah and I probably shouldn't have but comeon. What kind of answer was that?
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I guess without knowing how benign your comment was without reading it, it is difficult to gauge the appropriateness of their response, but it really seems like they are being thin skinned. In short it is their right to refuse your business on this basis. But look at it from the positive angle that they made the decision for you to go somewhere that your business will be appreciated.:cool:
 
I stopped using Admiral about 15 years ago when I received what was supposed to be 1075 CR flatbar (this is before anyone was carrying 1084). To make a long story short, It wouldn't harden, and I had some of the untouched cut-offs independently tested.
The carbon was very low--like .63 or something. I contacted them about it, faxed the results and they said, "Oh no, that's within spec for 1075!" I told them, it wasn't within ASM spec, and they politely said they stood behind their position and couldn't help me.

Never again for me, but I'm glad to hear some are happy with their experiences. :)
 
I purchase from Aldo or directly from Niagara http://www.nsm-ny.com for the CPM steels.

I used Admiral for years and then they sent some of the roughest stinkyest steels to me a few times in a row. I'm happy with my two other suppliers.

PS Pass on Laser cutting. Have your knife steel water jet cut. Its well worth it.
 
Can you recommend a water jet cutter? I would prefer water jet because of no heat damage on the edge of the cut, I just haven't found many cutters online.
 
Jemblade said:
I guess without knowing how benign your comment was without reading it, it is difficult to gauge the appropriateness of their response, but it really seems like they are being thin skinned. In short it is their right to refuse your business on this basis. But look at it from the positive angle that they made the decision for you to go somewhere that your business will be appreciated.:cool:
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They were completely within their rights, just not a smart way to treat a customer. If he hadn't been condescending and treated me like a simpleton for asking what they required to cut steel the incident could have been avoided. I'm not upset they refused my business, I was taking it elsewhere anyways after reading his smart ass comment.
 
Seems like the problem is solved.

Aldo's son does water jet cutting half a block down from Aldo. Give Aldo a call for info.



I am going to move this thread to The Good, Bad, and Ugly.
 
Niagara also waterjets now too.
I quoted them on the last job and came in under my "go-to" waterjet house that is good, fast and reasonably priced.
It was convenient to get the material, have it cut and only one shipping charge (which in this case saved me about $100).
 
I ordered through Admiral a couple of times, without any real problems (they're about a 45 minute drive from me), but once I placed an order with Aldo, that was it. More selection, more sizes, fast service, and reasonable prices. Not to mention, Aldo is primarily a supplier for knife makers. Admiral simply offers a handful of knife suitable steel.

I'll also add: if Aldo's son doesn't work out, I believe that Mark Vanderwest (leading edge fabricating) carries a handful of commonly used knife steels and other materials. He would probably be able to help you out, including the very questions that you tried to ask Admiral. Give him a call. He's very pleasant to talk with.
 
Well, this thread has removed Admiral from my very short list of 2 vendors I was thinking about buying my steel from.
 
9
knife to a gunfight said:
I'll also add: if Aldo's son doesn't work out, I believe that Mark Vanderwest (leading edge fabricating) carries a handful of commonly used knife steels and other materials.
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We've used lots of waterjet shops and Mark is the best I know of. He has excellent tools, service, turn around time and he is scrupulously honest.

Chuck
 
Hello all, new to the forum and new to knife making. Sorry to bump an old thread but I have 2 types of steels on order from Admiral. I know Aldo was highly recommended here but their prices were just too high w/ shipping. I tried to order some 1095 that they listed for $22 and after shipping it came out to $56! Ordered from Admiral and it was listed at $19 w/ ship is $40. I may get the old "you get what you pay for" situation but Aldo is just too expensive and I might have to resort to hitting the scrapyards here in Phoenix.
 
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revolcane7 said:
Hello all, new to the forum and new to knife making. Sorry to bump an old thread but I have 2 types of steels on order from Admiral. I know Aldo was highly recommended here but their prices were just too high w/ shipping. I tried to order some 1095 that they listed for $22 and after shipping it came out to $56! Ordered from Admiral and it was listed at $19 w/ ship is $40. I may get the old "you get what you pay for" situation but Aldo is just too expensive and I might have to resort to hitting the scrapyards here in Phoenix.
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Hmm.... $34 seems a little high for a single piece of 4ft steel shipped UPS, even with taxes included.

At any rate, thats why I normally buy at least a few pieces if I can, to offset those additional costs.
 
revolcane7 said:
I got ya. I have a local supplier in Phoenix (http://www.az-metals.net/) but they only had 1095 and 1075 in 2" x 8" x 3/16" available and at $15 a bar! I'll continue to find other suppliers but Admiral Steel had the sizes I need at a good price.
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Alpha supply has been awesome. You might find cheaper steel elsewhere at times but once you include shipping which alpha mostly does flat rate. It's about the same or cheaper and the customer service is better.
 
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