drill bits for metal?

[Karl B. Andersen]

I have almost always found the drill bit type secondary to setting up the steel condition first.
In 20 years of knife making I have yet to need a "special" bit - as opposed to an OTC bit - for any of my knife making.

 

[Knife devotee]

A good question to ask Devotee is what he is drilling with?

Drilling with a carbide bit in a hand drill is going to break the bit every time. You need a good sturdy drill press to use carbide bits.
Good HSS and cobalt bits will work better for a hand drill, but a drill press is by far the better way to go.

A word of caution - Cheap drill presses are barely better than a hand drill. While they may fit your budget, they probably won't fit the task s in knifemaking.
Second word of caution - NEVER drill into steel without wearing proper eye protection.

I use a 80 dollar wen drill press.