Materials Question

[turkey]

I'm planning on making my first knife. I have some stainless steel that is 1.6mm thick that i inherited from my late grandfather. Is this thick enough? Can i use stainless steel? Should i use it on my first project?
thanks in advance for the help.

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

1.6mm (1/16") is thick enough for only a thin blade like a paring knife.You didn't say what kind of stainless it is,so it may not be martensitic stainless,which is the kind that can be used for knives.The blade would have to be heat treated by someone set up to do stainless,and they would not know what it is either.(is there a number printed on the metal?)
I would save this thin stuff for something else later on,and get a piece of 1/8" (3mm) O-1 to make your first knife with.It will only cost a couple of dollars.
Stacy

 

[turkey]

ok, thanks alot for the recommendations. it doesnt have any numbers stamped on it and i think it might be for boilers or something. my grandfather was a Welder/Boiler maker if that helps.

 

[Ilovetoolsteel]

I'm planning on making my first knife. I have some stainless steel that is 1.6mm thick that i inherited from my late grandfather. Is this thick enough? Can i use stainless steel? Should i use it on my first project?
thanks in advance for the help.

Stick a magnet to it. if it won't stick or very weakly holds it can't be hardened.

If it was used in the manufacture of boilers my guess is it's probably some sort of 300 series stainless. Not hardenable.