Beginner question

[whiteeugene]

I’m a cherry on this forum so be gentle this is my first post. I know that 316 SS won’t work for knife blades but does it grind similar to other knife making SS. I have a lot of it laying around where I work 1/8 3/16 thickness could I use it to practice with?

 

[NStricker]

Why not save it for bolsters and guards? Get some paint stirring sticks to practice on. They're cheap and disposable. Heck, depending on how much SS you have, someone might even swap you for some other supplies.

 

[SBuzek]

Welcome to BF,Yes 316 does grind very similar to most SS knife steels,But paint sticks are one of the best starterr practice items,usually free and once you can grind a blade from a paint stick steel is easy.It teaches you a light touch.
Stan

 

[JTknives]

Ya keep the 316 for guards. If you do want to grind steel get some cheep steel from like home depot and grind away.

 

[clw3]

Don't practice with mild steel. Get some carbon steel like 1084, 1095 or O1. It's cheap!!

If you happen to get a "good one" while practicing, you can heat treat it and finish it. You'll need to practice making handles and final finishing too.

You may end up with a nice user.

 

[Will Leavitt]

If you just want to learn to grind and aren't worried about whether or not you get a "knife" then go get about 100 of the big paint stirrers and grind blades with a 120 AO belt. With cleaning the AO belt should last you through that batch of stirrers. One big thing people forget when learning to grind this way, pretend it's steel!!!! Don't go into it with a "it's cheap wood for practice" attitude, practice like it's damasteel or something.

If you want to learn to grind and hope that you get a knife out of it then use simple steels, if you luck out and get a knife then you can heat treat it and move on to the next steps. Depending on the size of the 316 you probably can trade out for materials with someone.

 

[whiteeugene]

Thanks for all the good feedback the place I work is closing it was a semiconductor manufacturing plant we only used ss or aluminum metals. We used 316 for blocking, earth quake tie downs and to cover holes in the floor when we moved tools. I’ll try the paint sticks and keep the 316.

 

[Jim Adams Customs]

I started practicing Hollow ground with a piece of 30.00 Damascus. You will be surprise how good you can get when you have 30.00 at stake. Lesson was learned in about 30 minutes and I sold the knife.
But paint sticks are good too. I just didn't have one. Plus I cant sell a paint stick shaped like a knife.

 

[Jim Adams Customs]

Thanks for all the good feedback the place I work is closing it was a semiconductor manufacturing plant we only used ss or aluminum metals. We used 316 for blocking, earth quake tie downs and to cover holes in the floor when we moved tools. I’ll try the paint sticks and keep the 316.

Grab all you can. It is great trading material and makes good guards.