I'm an amateur maker in need of advice

[thuddness]

I've always been interested in making knives, and have recently started (AGAIN!) doing so. I have most of the basics down (I think, but I know my stuff is still crappy), I am using the stock removal method using a 4 inch angle grinder with cutoff wheels for cutting the general shape, an 8 inch bench grinder for refining the shape, a 4 inch wide bench-mounted belt grinder for the bevels, a 1 inch belt grinder for refining the edge and general smoothing, and various files and stones for finishing. So far, all of my handles have been 550 cord or twine wrapped, but I want to get into making wood and antler handles. The issue I am having is drilling holes for pins through the handles. I have a drill press, but so far, all of the bits I have tried haven't been able to do more than mark the steel a little, even after about 20 minutes of slow going with moderate pressure and oil to keep it cool and wet. The point of this entire post is, what kind of drill bits do I need to use to bore my holes? Thanks in advance for all the help!

 

[gerogejg]

Cobalt drill bits they are so much better than high speed steel but they cost a bit more.

 

[spydercobenchmadekai]

You do know that you drill before heat treating the blade, right?

 

[Grayzer86]

If the blades are heat treated you won't drill it without a carbide bit. Holes should be drilled pre heat treat. Just out of curiosity what steel are you making these from? And how are they being heat treated.