blade steel for my first project?

[sixleggedinsect]

i know, i know.. you hear this all the time.. but in the hopes that someone has a spare minute and a little patience:

i plan to make a burly folder utlility knife. i am tentatively planning on a tanto blade, sharpened on one side only (like a chisel) of a pretty hefty stock. i used my old knife as a do-everything tool. pry bar, mini-hatchet, paint-can opener, screwdriver, shackle tool, etc. i was thinking of using 1/8" ish steel for the blade, maybe even a tad thicker. my priorities for steel qualities are strength/toughness/etc first. stainless second. edge third. i dont mind sharpening the knife a lot.

i am a hobbyist, with access to a mill, but will probably make the blade with a file, so that might matter in which metal is chosen. another variable will probably be the ability to home heat treat with minimal excitement.

any ideas? i really dont know the first thing, and would appreciate expert advice on a good steel. i can dig through the archives and learn about heat treating and working with that steel after i get an idea of what to look for.

i would also be curious to know what source the folks in the know recommend for small numbers of tooling supplies(cutting bits for lathe, mill, center drills, a reamer, etc) and

thanks,
anthony

 

[Bill DeShivs]

I would use 1095. It's not stainless, but it holds an edge exceptionally well, is easy to work and heat treat, and is inexpensive.
Bill