Cheap Steel for Beginner Knifemaker

D

Daniel_E

Joined
Sep 28, 2018
Messages
4
Hi all,
I am a woodworker who wants to make knives. I have made a few (dinky) knives out of random metal that are not heat treated and very soft. Does anyone have recommendations for the cheapest place to get good knife steel and heat treating? I only have a 3x21 belt sander from my woodwork so I probably won't be able to handle decarb. I looked at diesupplies.com at their O1; it runs for $30.37 for 1/8x1-1/2x36. Also, if anyone has any recommendations for technique or otherwise, that would be appreciated. Here are some examples of what I have done. In the picture with three, they were created in the order middle, left, right.



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Thanks y'all. Have a blessed day.
Daniel_E
 
Go to alpha knife supply, they have a large assortment of affordable steels, as for heat treating that is going to cost some if you send it out.

I recommend Tru Grit
 
I also offer heat treating. O1 is a good steel to start with. So is 5160 and some of the lower carbon steels like 1084.
 
Car leaf spring...
Free
Provided your neighbor doesn't drive often.
Just channel Cleston Sinyard and everything will come out fine.
 
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Alpha Knife Supply is great. As a beginner myself, I have used 1084, 15N20, 8670, 80CRV2, O1, and 440c. I have built my own two brick mini forge powered by small propane torch and then got an Atlas burner and bigger propane tank. Recently, I found an old Paragon jewelry burn off oven that can get to 1520F with patience.

Personally, I recommend sending out several to gain a base line of what kind of knife, hardness, usability a professionally heat treated blade can be. This serves as a good reference for when/if you start to do your own heat treating. I've started to do my own heat treating and it is as much a learning experience as making a knife. This includes many pitfalls and ruined blades. However, it is just as rewarding.

I did have some issues in drilling 15N20 from Alpha as it comes harder than the other steels. But I like how it grinds. 80CRV2 is my general favorite for initial machining, grinding, heat treating, finish grinding, final finish.

The baby forge is capable of heat treating the carbon steels, 1084, 8670, 80CRV2. It can do the O1 and 15N20 but I think not as well because of difficulty in maintaining a set temperature for longer soak. The baby forge is relatively affordable to build with soft fire bricks costing $6.00 each + shipping at High Temperature tools. The small propane torch is probably $40+.

I sent some blades to JT for heat treating and can't emphasize how good an experience it was.
 
ashwinearl said:
Alpha Knife Supply is great. As a beginner myself, I have used 1084, 15N20, 8670, 80CRV2, O1, and 440c. I have built my own two brick mini forge powered by small propane torch and then got an Atlas burner and bigger propane tank. Recently, I found an old Paragon jewelry burn off oven that can get to 1520F with patience.

Personally, I recommend sending out several to gain a base line of what kind of knife, hardness, usability a professionally heat treated blade can be. This serves as a good reference for when/if you start to do your own heat treating. I've started to do my own heat treating and it is as much a learning experience as making a knife. This includes many pitfalls and ruined blades. However, it is just as rewarding.

I did have some issues in drilling 15N20 from Alpha as it comes harder than the other steels. But I like how it grinds. 80CRV2 is my general favorite for initial machining, grinding, heat treating, finish grinding, final finish.

The baby forge is capable of heat treating the carbon steels, 1084, 8670, 80CRV2. It can do the O1 and 15N20 but I think not as well because of difficulty in maintaining a set temperature for longer soak. The baby forge is relatively affordable to build with soft fire bricks costing $6.00 each + shipping at High Temperature tools. The small propane torch is probably $40+.

I sent some blades to JT for heat treating and can't emphasize how good an experience it was.
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Thanks for the input. Right now I'm deciding whether I want to get O1 or 1084 for my next knife. If I do buy a "real" steel, I will definitely send it out for heat treating.
 
Steel for knife making is about the cheapest part of this hobby! I know everyone wants to save a buck or two but do yourself a favor and buy from a known supplier (Aldo, AKS, Kelly Cupples, and the many others) Once you put all your time and effort and money into a knife don’t ya want it to be an actual knife and not a KSO?!? If you would like a few pieces of 1/8” x 1” 1080 I would gladly send you some to get ya started off on the right track.

Edited to add- and once it’s done send it back to me and I’ll heat treat it for ya in my evenheat oven.
 
I have been getting my 15n20 from Aldo and it drill great. I have heat treated all of it in my little atlas forge and it comes out great with no extra cycles (I just do stock removal). If 15n20 came in thicker stock I think it would be the only simple carbon steel that I use. The rust resistance is so much better and its just nice to work with. You can also run it hard without chipping being a big deal.
 
NickBoyle said:
Steel for knife making is about the cheapest part of this hobby! I know everyone wants to save a buck or two but do yourself a favor and buy from a known supplier (Aldo, AKS, Kelly Cupples, and the many others) Once you put all your time and effort and money into a knife don’t ya want it to be an actual knife and not a KSO?!? If you would like a few pieces of 1/8” x 1” 1080 I would gladly send you some to get ya started off on the right track.

Edited to add- and once it’s done send it back to me and I’ll heat treat it for ya in my evenheat oven.
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I would like that; thank you! That sure beats trying to pay for it all myself... I run on a pretty tight budget so the offer is sincerely appreciated.
 
Email me your address and I’ll get something in the mail in the next week or so. nicolasboyle at gmail dot com
 
If it's kitchen knives you're after and have a relatively close wood/lumber mill, a box of doughnuts cor the head saw sharpener can get you free 15N20 in .074 and .090 thicknesses (Sorry JT)
 
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