Need steel recommendation

LaunchPad

LaunchPad

Joined
Jul 1, 2013
Messages
116
Let me start this by stating I currently have no experience with heat treating steel. What I'm looking to do is make my own wood carving knives. Most likely small wharncliffe blades ranging from 3/4" to 1 3/4" in length from 1/16" or 3/32" stock. Some of my favorite makers, Drake knives and OCC Tools use O1. A heat treating oven is well beyond my budget at this time, I'd be looking to either build or buy a smaller propane forge. Given my lack of experience and needing to use a propane forge, from what I've read O1 might not be the best steel to start out with? Aside from 1084 what other steel would be beginner friendly, esp considering my application? Thank You for your help!
Rick
 
Why not 1084? 1075 is simple to heat treat but it doesn't hold its edge as well as 1084 or O1.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
There is nothing wrong with 1084 but I plan on using stock removal, not forging the blades, 1084 seems to not be available in less than 1/8" from what I've seen? Most carving knife makers tend to either go with O1 or 1095, I'm just curious if there are any other steels out there that a beginner with practice could get a consistent heat treat on with minimal warping.
 
15n20 is one of my favourites. It benefits from a 10 min soak, but you can get away with less.
 
That's what I was going to say 15n20 sounds about perfect for your needs. It's thin and easy to heat treat as well as tough. And I just happen to sell a lot of it so if you need some let me know. If your just wanting to try it out I have lots of drop off chunks laying around. And if after your all done grinding it you decide you don't or can't heat treat it I would be happy to pop it in the oven for you.
 
Thank you Willie and JT, I think I'll give 15n20 a try. Texas knife makers supply lists small lengths in both thicknesses I'm interested in, so I might give them a try. Thank you for the offer on the heat treat JT, will keep you in mind when I get to that point.
 
I made a many wood carving knives back in the day using O1.
I would heat treat in a one brick forge and temper in my kitchen oven.
They made great carving knives and were a good jumping off point for the knifemaking I eventually got into.
 
What I was meaning is if you want to try a little bit of 15n20 I can send ya some. I have it in both .075 and .090 thickness. You just cover the shipping and I can put a chunk in a flat rate envelope. Should be enough for you to get an idea if you want to keep using it. Or if you wanted to buy some I can give you a good price as well, cheaper then any where else.
 
Some of my best performing/sharpest blades were made with 1075/1080...says my dad who field dressed two Elk with one of my knives without so much as resharpening once.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top