question about some stainless

G

gotmike

Joined
Nov 26, 2012
Messages
121
tried to look up the answer myself but just not sure with the other posts on 304 stainless...
i got a partial sheet of this:
IMAG0188.jpg

not sure what it all means... but my original thought was to make it into a simple straight blade machete... but everything i'm seeing on 304 is that i should just stay away from it... my original inquiry was as to if i can cut out my shape and slowly grind/sand/file the edge without annealing it so that i also don't have to try to heat treat it later... (not much for heat treating around here) it'll basically be for just cutting through brush in the woods while hunting... but will the edge hold up??? or is there a way to use a power hammer or something to harden the edge???
 
304 will not harden with normal heat treating methods. The only way to partially harden it is through work hardening. But then it will only get up to the mid 40's RC. It is not a useful knife blade steel. Most use it for fixtures and some use it for outer layers on laminated blades. So the edge will not hold up as well and will ding up pretty easy. If you work harden it I would not use a power hammer. It will beat up the hammer too much not having the hot steel under it. It needs that give or it will tear itself apart. You would have to use a hand hammer and work the edge. Be careful if you do because it you take it too far it will crack the edge.
 
Also 304 is a PITA to cut and grind. As mentioned it work hardens. That makes it really tough to work.
 
that was about what i had gathered from some other posts on here... but wasn't sure if it would work for a more blunt/less refined instrument like a machete... from what i was reading about it i definately wouldn't try using it for a skinning/hunting knife... though i'm hoping to make one of those in the near future as well... just getting into the art of cutlery... been a welder for many a year... but the metalurgy involved is new to me... so i'm learning, that's for sure... might start with a simple file knife... work up from there... was hoping that the stainless i had already would get me a decent start... thanks guys...
 
Hadn't run across that thread yet... Just been trolling for a little over a week... Saw a lot of 304 vs. 303 threads and whatnot... I've been a welder in a very large shop for a while and then transfered into the maintenance dept. Because of my "engeneering" skills.. lol... There's a lot I can do with a basic piece of metal, and I wanted to get some more info before I tried my hand at a blade... I'll be posting up some more stupid questioners if I can't find the info I'm looking fore in another thread... Going to have to do some research on what grade our hardened steels are... They're just called hardox or weldox in the shop with different grades (400,500,600,700) thanks guys...
 
Last edited:
phone did a double post... deleting the second one from my computer... if a mod want's to delete this one i'd be gratefull... thanks...
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top