I am new and have questions

C

CJHubb

Joined
May 11, 2015
Messages
4
After watching some videos on YouTube I'd like to give knife making a try. But I don't really know anything about what steel to use? I'm gonna guess that the flat stock you can get from LOWES/Home Depot would not work along with other steels out there, but I wouldn't know which ones they are? So I have some questions.

The first two that come to mind are.

1-What steel do I want to get? Maybe a starting/mid range steel?

2-Would it be best to buy a sheet of it or flats?

Thank you. I will try not to ask to many dumb questions that have been asked over and over. :o
 
As gently stated above. Read that thread, and the stickies. So much info!

LOL at the 1st response!
 
I did look at the stickies I think it was the "Newbies look in here" or something like that? There was a LOT of info, but didn't see a list of what steel to start with/use (just a list of suppliers) unless I missed it? I am on many other forums from 4x4 to cooking so I know about stickies and old grumpy men that have wife's that don't put out. I will have a look again.


Thank you.
 
No need to jump on a new guy. Everybody asked those kind of questions when they were new. Use the search engine that is through google(someone post a link if you can). The search bar at the top of the page doesn't work to good. Start with 1084 if you're heat treating yourself and it doesn't really matter if you're sending it out. I would order stock as close to the size knife you are making. Save the search site when somebody post it. For a new maker, there aren't many questions that haven't been asked. Good luck and welcome.
 
Start with 1/8 1084 for like hunter and edc knives. It's easy to do at home and a common size. Read the stickies about 10 times then you can ask. Good luck.
 
Thank you for the replays. Like I said before, I am on a lot of forums so hellspawn's post did not bother me one bit. It's the internet and just like in the real world, you will come across all kinds of people. After all his screen name is hellspawn, that's what I call my ex wife.:D
 
some slightly unrelated advice, you can practice grinding bevels on mild steel flat bar which you can get from McMaster Carr.
 
CJ,
First, welcome to Shop Talk. I apologize for the reply given. A simple "read the stickies" would have sufficed.

The steel you want for making knives needs enough carbon to be hardenable. That is between .70% and 1.00% carbon. Other elements are added to make hardening easier and durability better. The most common starter steel is 1084. It makes a great knife and has a simple HT. Most people buy it from either Aldo, or one of the knife materials suppliers, like USA Knifemakers.
In the beginning, buying bars that are the thickness desired and the right width is the best. When you start cranking out volume, buying a sheet may be simpler, but there is little or no cost savings. One beginner mistake is using far too thick stock. A knife rarely needs to be more than 1/8" ( .125") thick. Most general use knives are between .060" an .100" thick at the ricasso ( the part by the handle).

Welcome again and sorry about the rough entry. We are all a bunch of fairly friendly folks here, but all of us have our bad days. Stick around and feel free to post photos of your drawings and ask questions before you cut or grind the steel. The stickies has a lot of good info. There is one called "Basic instructions for making a knife", that covers most all the steps and materials needed to make a first knife.

Stacy
 
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