- Joined
- Apr 6, 2001
- Messages
- 2,632
Well,
I found out today that Crucible Steel is only a 40 minute drive from my house. Un-freaking-believable... the warehouse in Arlington is the distribution point for all the knife steel they carry in the U.S. and wow do they have a selection. I talked to Bruce, I didn't get his title but he is "the man", and he gave me a short tour of the shop. He showed me pallets of stuff that they are going to ship to Benchmade and noted that the largest company they ship to is Spyderco.
I was also astounded with the machinary they have in their warehouse. None of their machines would have fit in my garage... they are huge surface grinders, saws, mills and god knows what I missed by oogling the steel.
Pallets and pallets of CMP 134, S30V, S90V... and other stuff I don't remember the correct designation for.
The best part was that I went in with the intention of buying some "exotic" steel. I normally do my thing in ATS 34 or 440C and I really want to make something more exotic (for me) on a trip I am planning to see one of my knife making buddies in Virginia.
I have been thinking about atttempting one of Dan Koster's designs that he came up while researching his "Hunted" knife, but I am still making up my mind. Realize it typically takes me 6 months to a year to complete a blade and by that time the design has significantly changed (read: big knives turn into little knives). Too bad I have a day job and that keeps me busy.
The great news, is I got myself a 1/4"x10"x14" (almost rectangular) piece of S30V for a bunch less than if I'd ordered it. It was lying up against a mill next to a pile of 1x8" stuff and it called out to me for one of the above projects.
The Tuesday after next when I fly into Newport News I am going to be one happy dude. I will have steel on the ground and ready to grind. Now all I have to go do is put together a big reinforced box and put all my supplies in it to UPS tomorrow.
I found out today that Crucible Steel is only a 40 minute drive from my house. Un-freaking-believable... the warehouse in Arlington is the distribution point for all the knife steel they carry in the U.S. and wow do they have a selection. I talked to Bruce, I didn't get his title but he is "the man", and he gave me a short tour of the shop. He showed me pallets of stuff that they are going to ship to Benchmade and noted that the largest company they ship to is Spyderco.
I was also astounded with the machinary they have in their warehouse. None of their machines would have fit in my garage... they are huge surface grinders, saws, mills and god knows what I missed by oogling the steel.
Pallets and pallets of CMP 134, S30V, S90V... and other stuff I don't remember the correct designation for.
The best part was that I went in with the intention of buying some "exotic" steel. I normally do my thing in ATS 34 or 440C and I really want to make something more exotic (for me) on a trip I am planning to see one of my knife making buddies in Virginia.
I have been thinking about atttempting one of Dan Koster's designs that he came up while researching his "Hunted" knife, but I am still making up my mind. Realize it typically takes me 6 months to a year to complete a blade and by that time the design has significantly changed (read: big knives turn into little knives). Too bad I have a day job and that keeps me busy.
The great news, is I got myself a 1/4"x10"x14" (almost rectangular) piece of S30V for a bunch less than if I'd ordered it. It was lying up against a mill next to a pile of 1x8" stuff and it called out to me for one of the above projects.
The Tuesday after next when I fly into Newport News I am going to be one happy dude. I will have steel on the ground and ready to grind. Now all I have to go do is put together a big reinforced box and put all my supplies in it to UPS tomorrow.
ouch! 
