Knife blank steel.

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Shorerider

Joined
Apr 24, 2018
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G'day guys,

I'm just starting out as a knife maker and have been slowly gathering the necessary bits and pieces.

I have access to steel used for machinery blades which is 2-3mm thick. My question is, would I simply be able to shape and sharpen this steel as it would already have adequate hardness?

Any input is most welcome.
 
Shorerider said:
They are used blades, made to cut paper. Just blunt and replaced with a new one.
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I that case, it will already be hardened. The difficulty will be grinding a knife from it without over-heating it and ruining the temper. But if you keep cooling it as you go, it should be alright.
Do you know what kind of steel it is?
 
danbot said:
I that case, it will already be hardened. The difficulty will be grinding a knife from it without over-heating it and ruining the temper. But if you keep cooling it as you go, it should be alright.
Do you know what kind of steel it is?
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That's what I thought, keeping it cool will be key.

Sorry, no idea what type of steel it is. It will rust, however not very easily. Any rust will usually only occur where it has been clamped in place and even then is only slight. It is also quite magnetic.

I may be able to find out what type of steel it is next week, if I do, I will post here.

Thanks for your help.
 
I got this from the manufacturer's website.

"All knives are made of highly alloyed cutlery steels and can also be supplied with in „PLUS 4“ quality or special coatings."
 
Shorerider said:
G'day guys,

I'm just starting out as a knife maker and have been slowly gathering the necessary bits and pieces.

I have access to steel used for machinery blades which is 2-3mm thick. My question is, would I simply be able to shape and sharpen this steel as it would already have adequate hardness?

Any input is most welcome.
Click to expand...
just buy a known steel from an online supplier, the steel is the cheapest thing you buy in knife making.
 
Shorerider said:
They are a throw away item, so in that respect they are perfect for a beginner like me to practice and start on.
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Will you be using a belt grinder? I ask because with fully hardened steel, I would suspect you will go through a lot of belts!
 
DeadboxHero said:
just buy a known steel from an online supplier, the steel is the cheapest thing you buy in knife making.
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Can you recommend a supplier? I'm in Aus, so one closer to me to avoid ridiculous shipping costs if at all possible.

danbot said:
Will you be using a belt grinder? I ask because with fully hardened steel, I would suspect you will go through a lot of belts!
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Yes, I'll be using a belt grinder. I'm just getting it sorted out now.
 
Shorerider said:
Can you recommend a supplier? I'm in Aus, so one closer to me to avoid ridiculous shipping costs if at all possible.



Yes, I'll be using a belt grinder. I'm just getting it sorted out now.
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I cannot, I don't live in Australia.
But you're just a Google search away.

Just buy some affordable carbon steel with .70-.80 carbon.

1070,1075,1080,1084,8670, 80crv2

It's less complicated to heat treatment and will make a better knife then 1095 with a poor heat treatment due to lack of equipment, knowledge or execution of protocol.

Good luck.
 
If it's paper cutters you're using, they should make a fine knife. How long do they last before being thrown out? If you went with a different steel, do you have any way to heat treat it?
 
They are for cutting paper and can last ten million cuts or more at high speed before they need to be replaced.

I don't have a forge yet, but am looking at something from Devil Forge in the near future.
 
Keep a bucket of water, if the steel gets dark it is too hot. Drilling hardened steel is difficult as well, so try and make use of whatever holes are available.
 
I grind all of my blades Post HT., use sharp belts & keep the steel moving! I dip in a water bucket before each pass. I have a cloth. Dip, Grind, Wipe, Dip, Grind, Wipe.. you get slither Rhythm going.. there is one or two Aus knife maker web sites! Perhaps you can meet up with some local makers for a Hammer in/ Shop Demo??
 
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me2 said:
Yep, those should work fine. How thick?
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Ok, thanks. The ones I have at the moment are 1.5mm thick.

Nixelplix said:
Keep a bucket of water, if the steel gets dark it is too hot. Drilling hardened steel is difficult as well, so try and make use of whatever holes are available.
Click to expand...

I'm building my grinding jig now, and have tried to keep the components as rust proof as possible so cooling will be easier.

Many thanks for the help so far guys.
 
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