Ats-34?

[swede2207]

I recently was given about two feet of the stuff, and thought id try to make my first knife with it. Is it hard to work, im assuming the stoock removal method will be the best method, any advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Mike Hull]

It's not hard to work. If you have no experience with heat treating, send it to someone that does.
It's a complex alloy, and to get the most from it, proper heat treating is a must.
This place does it I believe.
http://www.texasknife.com/

Good luck.

 

[swede2207]

Can i use my angle grinder to rough it in, then go to the belt? Thats what i have planned, then ill send it to tex knife for heat treating.what do you guys use to rough in your stainless knives?

 

[Mike Hull]

I do it all with the belt grinder. But, I am using 2X72". if you have a 1X30", or something of that nature, and it is easier to do it the way you describe, go for it.

 

[peter nap]

I have found it very good to work and for me impossible to heat treat.
Send it away as Mike suggested.

BTW... I hate stainless but I don't consider this a true stainless (even though the rest of the world does) If you have to use the shines stuff (free steel is always a good reason to use it)...You won't find any better IMHO

 

[swede2207]

Thanks for all the good info, and so fast! Well i got the itch today so i rigged up a makeshift forge, with a small bbq pit, a little plate some pipe and a hair drier. All i had was an old lawn mower blade so i cut it and heated it to non magnetic..then i let it cool down slowly. Ive been doing a bit of grinding on it to rough it in. Should i still be concerned with "bluing" Also the piece was really too short is there any way to braze a round tang to it later. If not it is still ok cuz i need all the practice i can get.