Noob question

WaltE99

WaltE99

Fickle Bastard Blades
Joined
Oct 5, 2015
Messages
179
I'm sure this has been asked a hundred times and so I apologize in advance, but I couldn't seem to put the correct combination of search terms together to find the answer.

What is the best steel (or steels) for a beginner to use when heat treat will be done using charcoal or torches? 1084, 1095, D2, something else?

Thanks,
Walt
 
Use the BF custom search engine:
https://cse.google.com/cse/home?cx=011197018607028182644:qfobr3dlcra
For a question like this, type in "1084 HT".



The best steel for simple HT and beginner makers is 1084. It is the eutectoid steel, and has no excess carbon to deal with. HT is as simple as it gets:

Heat to 1475-1500F range ( any temp between 1450 and 1550F will work)
Quench in a medium speed oil (a gallon of canola oil will work)
Temper twice for an hour each at 400F ( the kitchen oven will work. Cool between tempers by running water over the blade from the tap in the sink, and stick right back in the oven.)
 
Thanks to both of you. Apparently I made my search too complicated.
 
Another good thing about 1084 from New Jersey Steel Baron is that it comes really soft and easy to shape - no annealing needed. Just sayin'.
 
I have another question. I know this is related to the type/style of knife I intend to make which is generally Hunter styles. What is the best thickness of steel to begin with?
 
It is a rare knife that needs to be more than 1/8" thick at the spine. The edge is roughly the same thickness on every knife, so extra steel in the spine just slows cutting and adds weight.

Many commercial hunting knives are only 1/16" thick. Put a caliper to some of your favorite hunting, fishing, and cooking knives to check how thin they actually are.

Also, distal taper is very important for the looks and feel of a knife. The blade should have a fairly continuous taper from ricasso to tip.
On a .125" stock slicing blade, I taper the blade to about .030" at the tip, then grind the bevels.
On a field use blade, I go from .125" to .060" and then do the bevels.
 
Thanks. 1/8 is what I thought, but wanted additional input.
 
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