first "knife" project help please

[Jared Stenoien]

hello i've been interested in knife making for awhile now but until recently havent had the facilities to do anything, but my welding teacher is going to help me make a machete, but i have to do all the research and everything for it so could someone tell me a good steel to use for this? it will actually be used, and i dont care much about how badly it rusts b/c i am good about taking care of them, it would be used mainly for small wild grape vines and brush but would see some use as a small limb cutter thanks for any help!

 

[Whit]

Sounds like 5160 to me. Spring steel.

 

[Jared Stenoien]

oh i'm sorry i forgot to mention that we will be forging it, will that still work?

 

[Whit]

Yep, in my opinion, that is your best bet.

 

[Jared Stenoien]

thank you!

 

[AwP]

I agree with Whit, but if 5160 is unavailable I'd probably choose 1050 as a second choice.