Blade Steels

[JRiefer]

I'd like to repeat a 10/24/98 post by Darrel Ralph to see if there's any update or additional opinions. Quote: "I was looking for some comments on blade steel. Let's do a thread on your favorite steels. Add the knife size it was on."

Also, should I order bars of precision ground or plain mill stock? I'm guessing the P.G. gives you a jump start (but more expensve).

Last, should I put a razor edge on my completed blade blanks before sending them in for heat-treating? Of course, they will be protectively wrapped for shipping.

A big thank you to the gentleman who recommended the Blade Forum search page for newbies.

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Joe

 

[O-1 fan]

My favoright blade steel is O-1 , and i have been only able to find it in drill rod stock.
i use it on hunting blades up to 5 inch lengths.
personally i don`t recamend a razor edge to the blade before heat treating, cause it may cause the blade to chip later or crack right away ,Besides you still have to sand and polish after heat treating ,and that just makes it easier for u to cut yourself bad.
my personal opinion of course!

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That which does not kill you, only makes you stronger

 

[magnum .44]

your cutting edge goes on after you finish the knife, it should be the absolute last thing you do. i buy mill bar, becuase i do my own percision grinding. my favorite steel is the bg-42 that's on it's way. other than that i like m-2, d-2, 440c, and ats-34.

 

[Jerry Hossom]

If you're new I'd say use 440C or ATS-34, heat treated by someone who does that for a living. They are relatively inexpensive and make a good knife. That of course assumes you are using stock removal and not forging to shape your blades.

Unless you are uncomfortable with surfacing your steel on a belt or disc grinder, buy plain hot rolled steel. It is a whole lot cheaper.

And yes, the sharpened edge goes on last, but get as close as you can to a fine edge before heat treating, then be careful not to overheat it in the finish sanding and polishing afterwards.

My opinion, only...



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Jerry Hossom
knifemaker
www.hossom.com