Keeping steel on hand

Matt Rochester

Matt Rochester

Joined
Nov 28, 2014
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So up to this point I have been buying steel 4, 5, 6 feet at a time. I seem to be spending a good bit on shipping each time and am wondering if I would be better off with one big order(50 or 60 feet)? I have gotten a few patterns and would like to do a batch of each. My question is, do you keep your primary steel of choice on hand (in bulk) or order what you need when you need it? Do you keep some of a few different types of steel? I am wondering if I would get a price break at a certain point on a larger order? Anyways, I'm just trying to figure out a better way.
 
some makers buy it on an as needed basis others buy tons at a time (see Don Hanson) and yes you will save on shipping and most likely get some sort of price break. personally I like to keep a few different steels on hand in various sizes so I have options on what I can do and don't have to special order anything.
 
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I don't pay shipping because I can drive over to Aldo's. But I do keep a modest selection of steels on hand so I can choose an appropriate steel for the knife I'm designing. It is also a good idea to have your chosen steel in various dimensions, some thinner, some thicker, wider etc. Steel doesn't have an expiration date so no harm in buying more than you need right now if you have the budget. And as has been mentioned, you will save on shipping and probably get better pricing.
 
i4Marc said:
I don't pay shipping because I can drive over to Aldo's. But I do keep a modest selection of steels on hand so I can choose an appropriate steel for the knife I'm designing. It is also a good idea to have your chosen steel in various dimensions, some thinner, some thicker, wider etc.
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Lucky I have to wait till Blade show to get out of shipping. :) and it is a good idea to buy several sizes of steel I have from 5/32 X1.5 to 1/4 x7, you should get what you think you are going to need in the next few months to a year I am doing kitchen knives to tomahawks and I forge. also in theory if you buy a large amount from the same melt of steel you can fine tune your heat treat to a specific batch.
 
My main stock is AEB-L, so i like to have enough of that on hand that when i have time I can grind out another chef, but i also like ot keep a diverse array of steels on hand. I just went out and chacked and i have 15N20, AEB-L, 1095, 1084, O1 and W2 in the shop right now. i like options.
 
Well I am planning on going to Blade in Atl in June. I may just keep doing what I have been doing until then. Are there usually good deals on steel there or do you just save on the shipping? I have mainly been using 440c with good success and its easy to find for the most part. It would be nice to have a variety of steel.
 
I currently have in stock 5160, 1084, 80CrV2, 1075, 01, Aldo's W2, Don's W2, 1095, 15N20 and a smidge of 52100. I'm thinking of adding AEB-L, A2 and D2.
 
There is no such thing as "too much steel" unless you go into debt or run out of room.

The question is, are you a knifemaker or a steel experimenter?

If you're a knifemaker...

First, decide what kind of knives you want to make.

Second, decide which two or three steels best suit your knives. Your preferences might only require one steel... that's an advantage.

Third, stock up on those alloys whenever you have a chance. It doesn't go bad. Worst-case-scenario, slap some oil or wax on it so it doesn't corrode before you get around to using it.
 
I think in order to make the shipping cost spread reasonably I order 4 bars or more in each order. And each order is almost always the same steel. When I get it I write the type on tube in sharpie and that helps me to not get them mixed up.
 
Kelly Cupples gives free shipping on orders over $100. Something to think about. I typically keep on hand 1080/1084, D2, and 154CM in 1/8 and 3/16, as those are the steels and sizes I use most.
 
bronyblacksmith said:
some makers buy it on an as needed basis others buy tons at a time (see Don Hanson) and yes you will save on shipping and most likely get some sort of price break. personally I like to keep a few different steels on hand in various sizes so I have options on what I can do and don't have to special order anything.
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That's funny, man... Yes, it works better for me to keep a few tons of the steels I use on hand. :D
 
I called around a ways back and was able to get a small discount... although the 100 pounds I got isn't exactly a large order.

Make sure you want to stay with that steel, I bought some O1 and was ready to move on (with the thicker part of my order) before I ran out of steel. I did the same thing with S7 and need to buy another 100#!

It is a good thing to really know the steel you work with, I do my best to limit my choices even though I like to work with everything.
 
It isn't the worst thing to experiment a bit at the beginning. After using a few at this point I'm wanting to do more in 01. That stuff takes a nasty edge.
 
Thanks for all the input guys. I'm still trying to get my oven up and running so I can do my own ht. That will probably help in the decision of what I keep. I really like 440c and will definitely keep using it but I am going to get some cpm154cm, 52100 or 01. We will see what I can find at Blade. I will check with Mr. Cupples also.
 
The more the cheaper with UPS, 1 piece @ 8'= $2.25 per foot shipping, 8 pieces @ 8' =56 cents per foot shipping, of course that price varies a good deal depending on the distance the items are shipped
 
There's a lot of good bladesmiths in SC. Combine your order with another guy, make a friend, and cut your postage in half.
For me, though, the shipping is pretty small potatoes, compared to my time driving to, like, anywhere.
The price of steel isn't a huge percentage of the cost of a knife, and the cost of postage isn't a huge percentage of the cost of steel, unless you're just doing one or two now and then.
 
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