Simple Steel?

[Fletch Helical]

I was at Home Depot last night and while looking around I saw they had some pieces of stock there. I was thinking about picking up some of it to play around with to practice putting bevels on. I was trying to figure out what kind of steel it was but it was all just listed as "simple steel". Anyone know what this might generally be? I was assuming it was something along the lines of a 1080 or something in that area but wasn't sure.

Also other than using it for practice is that kind of steel worth anything to actually make a decent knife out of or is it not worth using for anything other than practice?

 

[Alden Sherrodd]

Fletch, the steel you saw was probably A-36 or 1018 mild steel. Not a hardening steel. It might be alright for practice, but won't make a blade. I wouldn't waste my time. Just get a high carbon steel and actually make knives. A local spring shop could fix you up with the appropriate steel.
Have fun.
Alden

 

[Will Leavitt]

It's 1018 (usually) or called mild steel by most of us. Main knife uses are jigs, fixtures and fittings on blades. Takes a nice bluing or rust browning.

 

[KnifeMaker.ca]

It is likely mild steel - not useful in the production of a knife. It is probably also not the best for practice. It will still wear out belts almost as fast as a decent (annealed) steel. Cheap practice can come from paint sticks or lath. They are cheap - practice is faster and they don't eat expensive belts so fast.

Rob!