Round forging stock

David Stifle

David Stifle

Joined
Nov 20, 2008
Messages
10,188
Where do you fellas get your round forging stock from? Who has the best selection and prices? Aldo doesn't carry any, or at least, I didn't see any on his website. Help appreciated.
 
The only round I have used so far is w1 since w2 is none exsistant right now. I got mine from MSC I believe. Cant remember who had the best deals on it but pretty sure it was them or online metals. It makes a great hamon and forges well.
 
Thanks Quint,

I've never used w1, but have heard it's good stuff. I'll google MSC and see what they have.
 
Its pretty much the same as W2 but no vanadium or something like that. Pretty easy to HT and forges well. Forgot fastenal has it as well but cant remember there prices.
 
For 5160 and 52100 contact Ray Kirk. He has several diameter sizes.
ray at rakerknives.com
 
So far W1 is the only steel I do have forging experience with - though not much, as I prefer to skip the blood and go straight to the sweat and tears with stock removal when I can. The only downside to using round bar is you have to watch it closely while forging to make sure it doesn't start to twist or "corkscrew" - and like an illness can be fixed quickly and easily if you catch it early. I've been checking Aldo's site every now and then; no W2 yet, but he does have a batch of W1 square + round already. Onlinemetals also carries W1 round, though it may be more expensive (depending on the diameter/size you purchase).
 
Ray Kirks 52100 is suppose to be pretty good stuff. I need to get some of his smaller rounds, got a bunch of the 1.5" but its a bit to big for your hand forging.

With the rounds Ninja, I usually will forge as much of the round as I need into a flat bar then proceed to shape the blade. Works pretty good. Start on one side and get a flat edge, do this flipping over every once in a bit then stand it up to square up the forged out part.
 
Why round ? The proper way is to work down a square to size then round it !
 
mete said:
Why round ? The proper way is to work down a square to size then round it !
Click to expand...

mainly because I started a spear from flat stock thinking I could forge the tang round, found it darned near impossible as the rounding process proceeded into the blade, and etc. Messy, hard work. Easier to forge a round thing into a flat blade while leaving the tang round. I'm still after a socket spear, only this time I want it to look traditional and correct. Hence, round stock to start with...
 
Fastenal should have O-1 and W1 round stock. There is one over in Front Royal, as well as in Winchester and Manassas. Bets to call them first, since they can usually order in sizes they don't stock.
 
I didn't know they were in this area, that's great. I'll look them up. I'd about decided I needed to make a good sized billet and go from there.Thanks!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top