Recommendations before i get started

[Fowler52]

Hey guys I'm new to the forums. I have some projects in mind and i want to get your opinions. I am new to knife making and i am going to be using the stock removal style to make them. I want to make a couple of large choppers (15in blade?), a full tang axe, and a couple of EDU and skinning knives. I planned on making the choppers and axe with 5160 steel if i can find a plate large enough or possibly 4140. For the skinners i want something that i can gut deer but also use for every day chores. I have been looking at the CPM D2 for these blades.
I have a local shop that heat treats parts for the military that i could use to get them treated but is this the best option? I know heat treating is the most important part so i would like to farm this out but I'm not sure if this shop would be best (i have read a lot about having different hardnesses for different blades and even for different parts of one blade, would an industrial shop do different hardnesses or are they more cookie cutter everything is the same?) Do you guys have any opinions on the steels mentioned or do you think a different steel would fit better?
Thanks for all your help!

 

[EChoil]

I like CPM D2 and D2 both. I'd think they'd be fine for any knife you would make.

The steels you mention for the choppers, EDU and skinners would be fine for the purpose as well.

 

[Fowler52]

Thanks! i appreciate the feedback. I have some requests out for the 5160 but it isn't looking good. I guess I should start looking for the 4140

 

[ev13wt]

I think you are overthinking it. Each steel has a fact sheet that states the temp, holding time, quench and tempering. Most shops will just do this. It should be just fine.

After you made 20 knifes you can experiment with partial hardening stuff. Make 5 blades, get them heat treated and proceed to break 3. Then you will get a feel for the entire thing and can at least estimate if you want them a bit softer thus less brittle and easier to sharpen.