So I'm looking to buy some steel

B

Bill Jenkins

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Dec 31, 2014
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So I've been looking at different threads on different types of steels to use for knife making and I decided on either 1084 or 1095 as that's what I've seen everyone recommend. I was going to buy 1095 from admiral steel as they don't have 1084 and I figured I should get it 5/32" thick instead of 3/32" thick (if anyone has a reason why I shouldn't get 5/32" thick let me know.) Now the only problem I have is they only list from 1" - 2" wide steel and 2" wide steel sounds sort of small to me but I've never made a knife before so I don't really know, will I regret not getting wider steel or will 2 inches be fine? Thanks!
 
What kind of knife are you making? Are you doing the heat treat? If so, and you don't have an oven, get 1084. I make some 8 inch gyutos and they are from 2" stock. 2" is probably big enough for most knives other than a clever. My hunting knives are no more than 1 1/4' or so.
 
Matt R said:
What kind of knife are you making? Are you doing the heat treat? If so, and you don't have an oven, get 1084. I make some 8 inch gyutos and they are from 2" stock. 2" is probably big enough for most knives other than a clever. My hunting knives are no more than 1 1/4' or so.
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I'm going to make hunting type knives but didn't really have a specific design in mind, so 2 inches will probably be more than enough? Also does 5/32" thick sound like it will work fine or is it the thinner the better? I figured with hunting knives a bit thicker might be better.
 
With the 2", if you lay it out right, you may could get two hunting knives. I typically use 1/8" stock for most hunting/camp knives. I just made a run of .110" and they are thick enough also. I'd start with something with a 3-4" blade and 4-5" tang. Post your design before cutting any metal and get some feedback before its too late.
 
I used to use Admiral, but haven't in a long time. There were steel issues and other problems. I, and most everyone I know, use Aldo now. He carries nothing but knife steel.
New Jersey Steel Baron is his business name. It is in the info the Count linked.

Try 1/8" 1084 for your hunters. Get 1.25 or 1.5" width by 48" long bar. That will supply you with the steel to make half a dozen knives.
 
+1 for nj steel baron and 1084. Easy to heat treat and makes a great blade!
 
Wrong steel occasionally, someone else's order shipped to me, some steel not exactly what it is said to be, and overly high shipping fees sometimes. I am not alone in these problems. They always made it good, and usually just told me to keep the wrong steel/order and sent the right stuff.
 
How is w1, is it easy to forge. I bought a w1 rod and im planning on forging a small whittling knife out of it
 
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