Question on O-1 Hot Rolled steel

[mccandmatt]

I bought some O-1 hot rolled .130 (all I could find in O-1 Steel) from Aldo, wanted .125 but figured the .005 would not be that big of a deal. But once I started working with it and roughed out a blade it felt to heavy to me so it dawned on me that this is quite thicker than it should, so I put up against a piece of .125 and it is much thicker, so I put a micrometer on it and it's registering as .153. Would being it's hot rolled and not decarbed amount to .023+/- of thickness?

First time ordering from Aldo and I was very impressed with how fast it got me and how it was packaged, I am in no means complaining, just this is quite thicker than I expected, and planned for a few knives.

Thanks!

Matt

 

[Darrin Sanders]

Hot rolled steel will usually be .020"-.030" thicker than the what its listed as. This allows you to remove all the decarb. and still have the thickness that you ordered. Ground steel is a little more expensive but is worth every penny. When you consider the time and abrasives it takes you to removenthe decarb. yourself its really a bargain. I wont buy as rolled steel unless I absolutely have to.
Soaking it in vinegar for a day or two will make cleaning it up much easier.

 

[mccandmatt]

Thats what I kind of figured but wasn't sure. Thanks Darrin, next time I will just pay the extra lol. Lesson learned