Machining my first blade.

[sen2two]

So I am finally going to make my first complete knife from a piece of steel. I am unsure of what type of steel it is. I have plenty of it to waste, so that’s what I will be using. It is most likely 1018 cold rolled. But I am not really sure. Bought it many years back for another project that never actually happened.


I modeled the blade I will be making, refer to image. For reference the overall length is 10.00” and the width of the actual blade portion is 1.125”. This will be .500” thick.


For this first knife build, I will NOT be using a belt sander. I will be machining the entire knife on my manual mill. Including the cutting edge. Mainly because I do not have a belt sander. It’s on the “NEED” list.


Few questions…


If the material I have is 1018, which is not ideal of course. Is it worth heat treating the blade after all the machining has been finished? Or leave it as is?


To sharpen the edge, will machining the angle in leave a nice enough edge, or will some type of hand work be needed to get a clean sharp edge. If so, what method would be best to get a sharp edge?


This knife will be used for general hacking and is really just practice for myself. Is their a coating that would help prevent rust and extend the edge that is easily applied at home?

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

I will answer your question assuming you are serious and this isn't a joke thread.

I would suggest you do some reading and research on knives before you start.

1018 is a welding steel and will not harden to any degree. It will not make a knife blade. You need at least 60 points of carbon to make a knife. I suggest O-1, 1075, or 1084.

The knife drawn will not cut much of anything. If that is .500 thick, then the edge angle would be around 80°. Lawnmower blades are far sharper than that.
I suggest doing some research and posting a new drawing.

 

[Nathan the Machinist]

yeah, after sinking the time into it you might wish that you had used something that could be hardened. Soft steel won't hold an edge. If I were you I would find a chunk of A2. It is real common in machine shops and machines well.