cheap steel for practice?

[apox77]

I just need to know what the cheapest flat bar stock steel to buy for practice grinding.

Thanks all.

Ed

 

[itrade]

Whatever you can get. (those wood slats off lattice is great for practice.)

Mild steel (1018) from the hardware store works, but they want waaaaaay too much for it.

If you can find a scrap metal place and ask for some mild steel 1/8" by 1" that's probably the cheapest you'll find. But it won't make a knife.

Admiralsteel.com sells 1084 in that size: 6 feet for $6.50. The shipping is more than the steel. However, when you're done if you like it you can harden it up and make something.

Steve

 

[Reg ELLERY]

I had my first couple of hollow grinding lessons using wood cut to the shape of a blade. It feels different but I found it usefull. I had to develope a feel for it or chew into the wood. good practice for the back shoulder. Cheap on belts.

Once I had done a couple I moved on to spring steel. My mentor had a veiw no point grinding steel if it is not going to hold an edge.

That is one view I make a lot of letteropeners from mild steel.
Wire and horse shoes. Some horse shoes harden some don't.

Good luck