New to knife making questions?

[Fettersp]

I have a machine shop and have access to scrap 0-1, A2, d2, m2, h13, m4, 4140, 1810, brass, aluminum, bronze, 17-4, 303, 420, and some other metals and was thinking of knife making for a new hobby.
Do I need a forge to make knives or can I just make a blank from scrap material in the shop and get it heat treated professionally for pretty cheap when I have the same material going out to start out?
Also what would be a good material for a fillet
knife is this was to be my first project?

 

[Fettersp]

?

 

[MolokaiRider]

I would think 420 would be a good start in a filet knife.

For heat treat, there are services available if you want to outsource this process. “Cheap” will be subjective.

In my opinion I would start by making a few and having it HT by a professional.

As you start to refine your skill set, you could start reading up on how to harden different steels and determine if your willing to make that leap.