Precision Ground O1 Tool Steel

JRB Blades

JRB Blades

Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
Joined
Jul 22, 2013
Messages
266
Anyone ever purchase precision ground O1 from "Tool Steel Service of California"?

3/16" x 2" x 36" is $39.43
3/16" x 1.5" x 36" is $32.08

https://toolsteelservice.com/produc.../o1-precision-ground-flat-stock-standard-316/

It's cheaper than standard "knife supply shops" Just wondering if it's the same quality or not. Says on the website that thickness is within +/-.001" and width is +.005/-.000 and square tolerance is +/-.003"
 
Most tool suppliers and industrial supply places like McMaster-Carr sellO-1 precision stock at a very good price. You can even buy it pre-hardened.
 
They don't say on the site. You can call them and ask. Unless it states it is hardened, it usually comes annealed. But, it isn't dead soft because it has been precision ground after the annealing. They normally start with CRA or HRA and then run it through a surface grinder to get the precision sizes.
 
Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith said:
They don't say on the site. You can call them and ask. Unless it states it is hardened, it usually comes annealed. But, it isn't dead soft because it has been precision ground after the annealing. They normally start with CRA or HRA and then run it through a surface grinder to get the precision sizes.
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Gotcha. I just found a place near my house that sells oil hardened O1 for prices that aren't that much more than the "knife shops" and I save on shipping. The only thing is I've never ground hardened steel before or cut it with the band saw for that matter. Not sure how difficult that would be. I have an Evenheat kiln, so heat treating isnt' that hard. Not sure if it's worth the price of belts and band saw blades to do oil hardened O1.
 
barlowchiro said:
or cut it with the band saw for that matter.
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Not a good idea on hardened steel.
barlowchiro said:
I have an Evenheat kiln,
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You can anneal it yourself if needed...you'll have to decide on if the added electricity costs of this step makes it worthwhile, though.
If you do any forging, if you use a gas forge, you can just plan ahead and put the bar stock in the forge at the end of your forging session for the day, close up all the openings, and let it sit overnight. This usually works for what I call simpler steels (I put O1 in this category).
 
Yea, I don't think the place I found has hardened O1. It is wrapped in the same green/white paper as the O1 I get from knife suppliers. I'm guessing most places get their O1 from the same place.
 
I haven't the O1 but have got D2 and been happy with their product. Anything ordered above $100 was free shipping also.
 
Tool Steel Service of California is near the top of the food chain (meaning they are often the supplier to smaller tool steel vendors). Great place to buy from.
 
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