Source for steel for stock removal hatchet

R

Rick Powell

Joined
Dec 5, 2018
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7
Just curious if anyone knows where I could source steel for a stock-removal full-tang hatchet. Dimensions required would be somewhere around 1/4" thickness, 16" length or longer and (here's the tough part) 7-8" width.

I mostly work with 1095 but I'm open to any steel I can heat treat well with a forge and kitchen oven. Does anyone have any suggestions where I can source steel In these dimensions? And if 1095 isn't a possibility, what similar steels I should work with that are available in those dimensions?
 
1" stock should be plenty enough for a stock removal hatchet. You also don't need a high alloy or high carbon steel. O-1, 5160. 1070/75, 1080/84 , etc. will all work fine. A lot of the online metal suppliers stock 1" plate.

That said, finding a buddy who forges and making the heads from wrapped 1/4" stock and inserting a 1/4" bit piece will save a lot of time, monety, and belts.

If you are machining the head on a mill, I guess the thick stock will be simpler, but definitely more expensive.
Just remember that a 36" bar of 1" by 3" O-1 costs over $200. "Online Metals" has it.
 
jdm61 said:
A couple of well known guys are using the 1/4 and 3/8 80Crv2 for hawks and such.
Click to expand...

I've thought about giving 80crv2 a shot as it seems like the HT is pretty easy. What benefits or different attributes does it really have over 1095 though?

And thanks for the NJ Steel Baron link. I thought they didn't have those dimensions last time I looked but then again, my phone/computer are the tools I'm least adept with.
 
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