Steel for beginers?

[mr.trooper]

I need a steel that is easy to heat treat with the minimum of equipment. Is 440c good for that? If not, what would you sugest?

 

[J. MacDonald]

I suggest using the search function. This question comes up about once a week.

The short answer is 01.

 

[mr.trooper]

*Self-edited for vitriol*

...Thanks.

 

[J. MacDonald]

Since you've already done your search and research, and settled on 440C, then go in that direction. It's a fine steel if it's 440C and will make sharp and durable knives if (heat) treated correctly.

Be prepared to spend near $1K for a heat treat oven to heat treat stainless yourself or count on spending $12.00- $15.00 per blade to send them out for heat treat while you're learning to grind.

I'm only an intermediate level maker and have never sold a knife and 01 still suits me fine. I want to move into stainless and a HT oven is next on my list of things to add to the shop, so I understand your wants, I was just offering my own answer to your question.

 

[rashid11]

For a beginner, O1 or 10xx (1095 etc) high carbon steels are a better way to go. They require lower temp for heat treat (1450 vs 1950), decarb is much less of an issue, you can heat treat them, in a pinch, in "one-brick forge",
you can selectively quench 'em (edge, but not back), it solders well.

My $.02

 

[David Schott]

I would always say O1 to this question.....its available precision ground, fully annealed, in many sizes, and the HT is much more forgiving than something like 1095 for someone starting out.

 

[jhiggins]

O-1 or 5160. Both steels are easy to work, and are nicely refined. Easy to HT also.

 

[mr.trooper]

Thanks guys. I might go back to 1095 /O1 afterall. I have a forge that I can use to heat them to ~1500*.