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Steel for first timer

D

desertblade

Joined
Jul 30, 2006
Messages
8
What steel would you suggest for a first time blade grinder? The other question is who does heat treating after the grind? Does anyone offer this service?

Thanks,
 
i used 1050, and 1080 carbon for my first outing into blade making... they both seemed to respond well, and to me... were easy to work with. im sure more experienced people will be able to comment, though.

as for heat treating... i know that certain people/companys do offer that service, its just a case of finding them... a location would probally help people with their suggestions.
 
O-1,1080,1084,5160 are all good starter steels. Heat treating is done by many people.Texas Knife Supply,Paul Bos,and many on this forum.
Best thing for a new maker is to find a experienced maker near you to teach you a bit,and maybe do your HT with you.Posting your location will help others know where you are.
There is a sticky at the top of this forum that has a lot of info.More can be found at www.knifehow.com .
Welcome to The BF and the world of hot metal.It can become a lifelong addiction.
Stacy
 
first steel i ordered was 440c
that said i started grinding on full hard files so soft 440c was a dream
had the tool and die do my heat treat im not even sure what the Rc is on it but now i have a kiln
one of these days im going to have to try some O1, D2 or maybe even 52100 just to see
also planning on learning that forging thing:D
Lloyd R Harner III
 
While we're doing locations for newbs to find more experienced makers, anybody know of any near Alfred, NY? (aka middle of freakin nowhere, but it's worth a shot)
 
i love o1, its easy to work with a file if needbe and heat treates nice. i also started my knife making adventure using hardened files after i relized that not just any steel would do. but rember i started making knives when i was 12 and so i did not know about heat treating at all. i would just find a chunk of metal and start grinding, i did not relize that my steel would not hold an edge intell after i made a bunch of knives. i then switched to files and horse raspes which i worked while thay where hard. even if you make a knife out of just plain iron your not wasting your time your learning thats how i think about it. just keep learning and everything will come togather. i dont know if any body welcomed you yet, so welcome to knife making. o sweet this is my 200th post.
 
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