Steel choices

[Armycub2]

New to the trade, trying to figure out what steel to get for stock removal.
I know my basics are, stailess steel, Damascus and other steel. I guess I am looking for something easy to grind and that will hold a nice edge. The more I read the more confused I get. Any help will be appreciated.

 

[Darrin Sanders]

If you plan on doing your own heat treating then get some 1084 from Aldo. If you're gonna send your blades off for heat treat then its just a matter of personal preference. Any steel you choose is only as good as its heat treat. I will add that the extra money spent on stock with the scale already removed is worth every penny. Any of the tool steels such as A2, D2, & O1 are very good steels and are usually decarb free and spheroidized annealed, which means that it is perfect for stock removal. Hope this helps.

Darrin

 

[JW Knives]

I personally love working with O1. I just received a precision ground bar. 1.5 x 3/16 x 36 for 30 dollars in change. Its a great knife steel, easy to work with and HT.

 

[wolffbite]

+1 on what both of them said. Precision ground steel is nice and carefree for the aspiring maker

 

[Armycub2]

Thank you all for the info.