Thick stock is cool, but...

T

trip

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Aug 4, 2010
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17
...I need to thin some 1/4" thick D2 and A2 steel down to usable small knife thickness (3/32-5/32). The ideal solution would be to use a surface grinder, but I don't have one.

I tried an angle grinder on the D2. The steel laughed off the 50 grit disc i tried, so now I'm stuck, although i might be able to access a surface grinder (for a price).

I realize it would be way easier to just start with thinner stock, but this steel was free and I'd like to use it. Any suggestions?
 
I'd suggest using it for thick blades. You will likely spend way more grinding it down to something thinner than it is worth. I'm not a smith. You might be able to pound it thin enough???? :confused:

Rob!
 
Trip

If you filled out your profile, you might find a local guy that could help you out. There are some great(helpful) guys on here.
 
Why not try to trade it for something you can use? I'm sure someone here can use some thick A2 or D2.
 
Your labor in reducing it is probably going to turn out to be worth more than the cost of just buying thinner stock.
 
yeah trade it for thinner or suffer grinding... I grind 1/2" stock and larger down to thin edges until my shoulders ache...
 
use it for thick blades, start forging, or trade it to someone who has thin stock and wants thick stock. I forge so starting dimensions are relatively unimportant to me as long as the piece has enough material for what I want to do with it. Free material is great as long as it is usable for what you want to use it for. Sounds like you need to buy some thinner stock

-Page
 
Trip
why not "Thin"it down on your contact wheel ??
many maker's grind their "Taper" tang's this way ,yes it will take some time/effort. you would be wise to find a local blanchard grinding shop,if you know any ask another local knifemaker who makes damascus ,most have a good source for getting stuff ground properly .. it can't hurt to ask .

think of it this way you can buy the belt's /ect and do it yourself or you can pay them to do it for you on a machine that cost's 15,000 dollar's for $50-$100 and be done worrying about it ..

Don't ask me how i know this :rolleyes: been there done that ..
 
Might contact Dan Koster. I know he uses both those steels, and he makes some thick knives sometimes. Maybe he would trade you. Just a thought.
 
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