Does new steel need to be annealed?

[Atlas Knife Company]

I ordered some s30v last week. It's not here yet. When it does get here, do I need to have it annealed? I ordered from Knifemaker.ca if it makes a difference.

 

[rtj1981]

It should already be annealed, I would contact who you bought it from and ask them.

 

[KnifeMaker.ca]

The S30V is Hot Roll Annealed - about BHN 255. That is about as soft as you will get it.

Rob!

 

[Atlas Knife Company]

Thank you for the info. Should I infer from this that most dealer/store bought knife stock is pre-annealed?

 

[rtj1981]

Most are but keep in mind that many of the steels knife makers use weren't smelted for the specific purpose of being ground and drilled so hardness can vary.

 

[cotdt]

The S30V from Knifemaker.ca is definitely soft and drills like butter. The 3V is a different story, it is taking me 10x longer to drill through.