Advice on steel for throwing knife

B

BryanR

Joined
Jun 7, 2004
Messages
28
Hi all

Just thought with all the other's asking for steel advice, I'd throw this in and introduce myself at the same time.

I've ground a few mild steel throwers, but would like a knife that could hold a decent edge and be used to throw. This would be the first real knife I've ground. I've done jewelry work as a hobby off an on for 10 years, but havn't tried grinding more than files and mild steel for knives. Any advice would be helpful.

Thanks

Bryan
 
O1 and 1095 are always my suggestions to start. Don't have my HT chart here for O1 right now, but I'm htinking I'd start with a 425-450F temper on a throwing knife, depending on profile and thickness, and adjust from there depending on how it held up(I generally like throwing knives, or did when I was interested in them, a bit softer than a regular knife to keep them from being damaged in throwing). A differential tmper or edge quench would also be useful, soften up the spine and keep edge/tip harder, again, to lessen likelihood of damage in throwing.

Course, that all being said, I'm biased towards using O1 for just about everything anyways. :)
 
In a effort to once more spread the word of S7 steel, I will recommend it. It is as tough of a steel as you can find. Perfect for something like a throwing knife. It isn't to hard to work and takes a nice finish. You can get it at flatground.com or a few other places if you check around. Roger Linger does a great job of heat treating at a very reasonable price. Here is link to info about that, http://heattreating.elliscustomknifeworks.com/

Even at a high 57 RHC (hardness level) which would be alot harder then most throwing knives or axes the steel would still be several times tougher then most steels when it comes to impact. Hope that helps.


Mark
 
Now we just need one of our 52100 or 5160 zealots to chime in and this thread will be complete. ;)
 
etp777 said:
Now we just need one of our 52100 or 5160 zealots to chime in and this thread will be complete. ;)
Click to expand...


I have to agree, 5160 is used for making springs, Can't do much better than a spring steel for a throwing knife.
Drew
 
I suggest that you keep the body of the knife a bit soft. Springy knives really come back at you fast when you under-rotate your throw. Some type of edge hardening might do the trick.
 
I don't do knife throwing and if I tried it would never hit point first. However, S7 is tough stuff at 57 HRc.

(how's that Mark?)

RL
 
There are really only 3 good steels for a thrower.
5160....5160...or the newer version, 5160.

Temper about 400 for a thrower ;)
 
U-m-m, did anybody happen to see Bobby Branton's post above?

Hey Bobby, do you feel like you're being ignored? :D Aw, what would you know about it anyway.

You're just a knifemaker who is a knife thrower, makes throwing knives, has designed several models of throwing knives that have been used to win major knife throwing competitions across the country, made knives for some of the knife throwing legends, and happen to be the President of the American Knife Throwers Alliance. :D
 
I was just wondering. How about 1050? :o

Hey Terry, where can I get some 1084 for that camp knife post you advised on a couple days ago?

RL
 
Oops! I'm sorry Roger. Okay, I just responded in your original thread about the camp knife, rather than drag this one off topic. Some folks get real touchy about that.

Back on topic:
I wasn't being a wiseguy in my previous post above. I was just being playful with you guys. Bobby Branton is very well known, and specializes in the throwing knives. He knows his stuff.

I just thought that it was funny nobody followed his link, then came back herre and said WOW!
 
I took your post very seriously. That is why I made fun of myself in the above. Actually (and as I said - what do I know about throwing a knife) I looked it up again and 1050 is right there with what some of the others were recommending in throwing knife qualities. Just as an otherwise ignorant obsevation: I believe S7 might be in the neighborhood.

Terry, I responded to your 1084 link post. Thanks.

RL
 
U-m-m, did anybody happen to see Bobby Branton's post above

I saw it Terry but since he wasn't recommending 5160 I assumed he was an impostor! :footinmou
 
S7 would temper much harder. It would still be tough. If I ever make a thrower I'll use 1050.

RL
 
It seems you are tempering the 1050 as you would for a spring. Do you differentially HT for a thrower made of that steel or do you harden the entire blade?

Thanks.

RL
 
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