Started my first knife today

[Dave Hub]

So I have been collecting info and tools for a little while now. Today, I started on my first knife. My plan is to make a drop point hunter out of ATS-34 stock that's 5/32 thick. I just bought a portaband (waiting on blades), but I started cutting with a hacksaw. I barely got 1/4 way though cutting and I ran out of hacksaw blades. Is ATS-34 too tough to cut with blades? Is my portaband not going to work? The blades for the portaband are Lenox wolf 14/18 tpi.

Thanks in advance.

 

[BITEME]

Is the steel annealed? I have cut some steel with hacksaws it wasn't hard to do ,been a while since I really played with steel but I think that CRA is cold rolled annealed and that will be easier to cut then just CR.I am sure one of the real knifemakers will chime in a moment.

 

[LARRYZ10]

I use a Portaband with Lennox blades 14/18 as you describe. It should cut ATS- 34 well. I make a few straight cuts on my steel first with a Dewalt 4 1/2 inch angle grinder with 1/16ths cutting wheel. This saves a bunch of time grinding the profile of the blade. Yes, I use a leather apron, earplugs, and a full facemask over my glasses when using the angle grinder. This will extend the life of Lennox Portaband blades too. Lennox blades are the best in my opinion. Larry