newbie steel

[neosporin]

i've been meaning to make my first knife for some time, but every time i call the local shops around me they either want me to order 20' or don't want to help me at all. i called a blacksmith shop and this guy bit my head off... unfortunately around Miami it seems there aren't many places i can find a spring let alone a small piece of 5160 "free" like i've heard of in other places.

what are my options? thanks.

 

[Danbo]

Send me your address, and I'll send you a piece of O1 or something similar.

 

[Mike Hull]

I don't know what kind of "shops" you have been calling, but try an automotive spring makers shop next time. They use a lot of 5160, and 10xx series steels, and are usually willing to sell small annealed cut off's, or even give them away.

 

[Kim Breed]

I have plenty of 1084 laying around. send email and I will get you some.