Picking the best blade steel

[Joe L. Bachs]

Hey guys, I'm about to try to make my first planned custom knife, I've made real basic kiridashis and small hunting/paring knives out of scrap s.s. and old circular saw blades. For making this knife I want to pick the right steel for the job. It'll be a longer narrowish blade, I'll use it mostly for gutting, boning and other type cooking stuff. Was thinking 1/8" 1095 but I don't know if it'll be corrosion resistant enough and I question stainless's edge holding ability. So what steel has the best combination of corrosion resistance, edge holding and strength while still being easy to work with for a beginner? What do you guys use for your own projects?

 

[Joe L. Bachs]

Really 120 some odd views and not a single reply? Huh.

 

[Don Hanson III]

Wrong forum, really. You need to ask this in the maker's section.

1095 would work, but 1084 would be easier to heat treat for a beginner.

My steel choice though would be W2.

 

[Joe L. Bachs]

DOH!! my mistake, thanks though.