Steel question

[Patrick0333]

Hey guys,
So far ive just been making blades out of files and ive only ground out a few. Im gonna try my hand at forging and ive got some books on it and what not and more are coming. What kind of steel do you reccommend for a person just starting and what size would be good. Im making knives with 6" blades or less. Also, i made a small forge from fire brick, instead of getting a bernzonmatic burner and run it from my large propane tank, can i just use my small propane torch? Thanks for the help

Patrick

 

[peter nap]

Sometimes I feel like a broken record Patrick. 5160, 5160, 5160....Everyone has their favorite steel but 5160 is one that is very forgiving, easy to forge and a good enough steel that almost all knifemakers use to some degree.

 

[richard rosvall]

Patrick- another plus for 5160 is that it is pretty easily available. Is there an automotive spring shop near you?

 

[blackboogers]

I tried the spring shop and they wanted 40.00 for a 3 foot piece. They try to sell it like a leaf spring. He told me it wouldent be any good unless they put a arch in it.