Stainless Steel

R

Rcase

Joined
Oct 13, 2013
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2
I friend of mine has a company that makes medical equipment. He has a lot of stainless steel from old equipment. He gave me 4 bars 1X1/4X48 and said I could have more. Would this be good for knife making? Is it ok to forge? Would like to a little wider. What about heat treating and tempering? Any info would be appreciated.
 
Not really sure about what kind of stainless steel that would be, but surgical steel is usually very malleable and cheap, since it's disposable.
(like after surgeries and stuff, the scalpels are biological waste)
 
Maybe a mod could move this to shop talk Q&A, you'd probably get better feedback there.
 
Without knowing what sort of steel it is, I would not try to make a blade with it. It may be something like 316, which isn't hardenable. Also, stainless steels tend to be difficult if not impossible to forge and would require much higher temperatures than a plain carbon steel. It would likely make fine guards or bolsters, however, if that appeals to you.
 
Ask your friend for the type of Stainless. Most likely only good for guards and fittings.
Also will a magnet stick to it?

Stan
 
One of my cousins worked in a machine shop that made a variety of medical devices and equipment. Had quite a few different types of stainless. Most where not suitable for blades and even those that are are not necessarily the best for knives. Have been told surgical cuts in human tissue do not require great edge retention. Many of the scalpels have replaceable blades or are one use. They are much more concerned about rust resistance etc when the instrument goes through an autoclave.
 
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