Best steel for first knife?

BaliLover

BaliLover

Joined
Oct 25, 2000
Messages
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I am looking into making a fixed blade knife with a 10" OAL. I want a steel that is durable and will hold a nice edge, but not be too hard to work with. I have access to a bench grinding stone and a Craftsman 2x42 (I think) bench sander/Grinder. ALong with various files of course.

What is the best steel for me to start with and what grits of belts should I be using? I'd also like to know of a supplier for 2x42 belts because all I can find that aren't craftman are 1x42 or 2x72.
 
Everyone I have talke to, and everything I have read has said that 0-1 is the best steel to start with. I have just ground my first 10 knives out of it, and I found it relatively easy to work with.(Not that I have any experience working with other steels) IT is cheap, and you can heat treat it yourself very inexpesively.
Kyle
 
If you work with thin stock (1/8"), I wouldn't worry about how hard the material is to grind, as long as you stick with O1, 10XX series, 440-C or ATS-34.

I have the same Sears 2x42 grinder. Id comes with a 1" platen, so if all yoi can find locally is 1" belts, you may just want to use the 1" belts.

I don't know of sources for you. Good luck belt hunting!

------------------
"Come What May..."
 
Just be sure the material is annealed and you shouldn't have too much trouble. 5160 would be a fine choice for starting out, though you could use practically any steel, including L6, 10XX varieties or O1 (as previously suggested).

Just my opinion though,
Shinryû.
 
I think ATS 34 and let Paul Bos heat treat it. If you are going to do your own heat trating the 0-1 is easy. The instructions even come on the 0-1 package for heat-treating. Bruce B
 
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