Any New Yorkers here??

K

Keithcellini

Joined
Jan 9, 2008
Messages
281
Hey gang, I have been reading everything I can about knife making for the past month or so and am truly amazed at how big the custom knife market is. The knives I have seen produced by members of this forum and others is absolutley amazing! Like many other people I kind of figured that store bought knives were the way to go but now I see that for a truly useful knife that is completely suited to you and you alone you either have to have it made or make it yourself. I would love to be able to forge a knife out of steel but I live in a residential neighborhood and the banging may be more than the neighbors would appreciate so I am going to try my hand at the stock removal method I have read about. One day I hope to ba able to afford a really nice belt grinder like a KMG but for now I have a Delta 1x48 or 42, I forget which. Hopefully it is enough for me to learn with.

Anyway, since I do live in NY on Long Island to be exact I was wondering if any members live hers of know of a supplier of steel locally. From what I have read 01 precision ground flat stock would be a good starting point (am I correct) If I could find a local place to buy some that would be great but if not, could you guy suggest a good mail order firm and also tell me what size I should get (I plan on making a medium size hunter style knife if that helps.

This forum seems to have some of the nicest people, I think it may have something to do with our interest because I think people who like to make things from scratch are good people in general. So if you can help me I would truly appreciate it and I hope to learn a great deal from all of you.:)
 
Welcome aboard. The best place and prices I have found is http://flatground.com/index.htm . Admiral Steel http://www.admiralsteel.com/products/blades.html is also good for some 1075/1080 to start out along with a large variety of steels. When I first started I purchased like $100 worth of O1 and really butcherd it. :eek: I then bought a lot of 1075/1080 from Admiral to practice. Once I get better (and get a new grinder), I will get some more O1 as I really liked the way it ground.
 
Thanks guys, are you saying that I should practice on some lesser steels? If so which would be the best choices? So you think that I made a mistake by buying the Delta?
 
The delta should work good, not a mistake at all. Grab some cheaper steel(not like A2 or O1), like 5160 or 1075, both great beginner steels.
 
get some 1084 from Mace and Aldo, Aldo is in New Jersey, Mace is in Conn. I think
Good steel, cheaper than O-1, I use it to teach my new students forging, it moves like butter under the hammer, and heat treats easily

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Thanks for the info! I think you are right about using cheaper steel to learn with, I do not have much money and butchering an expensive piece of material would not be a good thing for my health (I'm married) As it is, I had a hard enough time convincing the ole lady I needed the Delta. Not that I am whooped............hard but we are on a budget so I should be careful. One day I pray I can afford a real belt sander/grinder but till than I am glad the Delta will work. I also have a regular bench grinder drills and hand tools. The only thing that I think i need is a small drill press. Is there anything that I may be missing for a neewbie?
 
hammer, forge, reading all of the stickies currently labeled "Do NOT read" which have super helpful info, oh yea, fill out your profile, safety glasses are a valuable investment for keeping the wife happy, mine at least doesn't like trips to the ER

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Man, you're lucky... I'm in the heart of The City, and I don't even know where to begin looking for workshop space. And if I did, I don't have the heart to think about how much it would cost!
 
I do not have much room either but I am sure you have it much worse than me! Plus I would hate to pay your rent hehe........

Where do you get steel Lucky Bob? I wish I could find a local supplier.
 
If you're really bored and don't have any steel right now, you could practice on the paint bucket stirring sticks just to see how you and your grinder behave. Or get some old leaf springs from a place that does lifts for trucks, jeeps, etc.
 
This is true Blub... I found some steel at Sears it says that it is for weldong but it comes in about 36 inch lengths it is about 1.5" wide and I would say about 1/4 to 1/8" thick. Do you think that would be good to learn with? I think they are about 6 dollars each but I have no idea what type of steel it is. Any ideas? I am sure you pros know exactly what I am speaking about.
 
Keithcellini said:
I do not have much room either but I am sure you have it much worse than me! Plus I would hate to pay your rent hehe........

Where do you get steel Lucky Bob? I wish I could find a local supplier.
Click to expand...
What little steel I've bought, I've done online. You'd think with 8+ million people, you'd be able to find anything... but NYC really isn't a very production-oriented town, in my experience. (IE I only know of one maker in the five boroughs, haven't found any steel sellers or heat treaters, etc)
 
sunshadow said:
Seriously, talk to Aldo, look over on the for sale threads for the 1084 and 1095 threads
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Is Aldo selling thinner stuff better suited for stock removal? All I can remember seeing is 1/4-3/8. Thanks.
 
I think the 1 inch 1084 was thinner, around 3/16, he may have other stuff for sale as well, he says he can get almost anything, my bad though, I had forgotten the stock removal part of the question

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So does he offer the thinner stuff? what is a good size? I was thinking of trying to grind out some mid sized hunting knives. This weekend will be my first time trying to do anything like this.... I work til about 8pm every night and grinding that late would be an issue!
 
Keithcellini said:
This is true Blub... I found some steel at Sears it says that it is for weldong but it comes in about 36 inch lengths it is about 1.5" wide and I would say about 1/4 to 1/8" thick. Do you think that would be good to learn with? I think they are about 6 dollars each but I have no idea what type of steel it is. Any ideas? I am sure you pros know exactly what I am speaking about.
Click to expand...

At that price you might as well get some 1075 or some cold rolled 1095.
or you could move up to the sticks with the forging guys ;)
Welcome to shop talk.
 
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