Trouble finding 5160

J

JN7556

Joined
Aug 17, 2015
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74
Looking to buy some 1/8 x 1 1/2 x 12 inch 5160 steel online, but I'm having more trouble than expected. The only things I can find are either damascus, overpriced (for me, at least), out of stock, or the wrong dimensions.
Does anyone know of somewhere with this in stock for a good price?
 
I'm not a big fan of 5160 and I'm not a big fan of Admiral.

Consider using 1080/1084/80CRV2 instead, and consider getting it from NJSB.
 
5160 is typically made for leaf springs, so it is rolled in typical leaf spring sizes. Finding it in 1/8" thickness is going to be tricky. Like Terrio said, you might consider some other simple carbon steels that do tend to come in that size.
 
I am likewise not a big fan of much of the commercially available 5160 that I have run across over the years. The best stuff that I have gotten was 3/8 thick flat bar from Uncle Al and 3/4 round bar from Ray Kirk, but that was a long time ago. Traditionally, the best of the lot was big stuff like the John Deere output shaft steel or the big batch of 1 inch square IIRC that Karl Anderson found years ago. Ray still has the 3/4 inch round listed and says that he will roll it to a size you can use for $3 a pound. That would work out to about $9 a pound plus shipping. rakerknives.com.
 
I pretty much concur with Don on thin blades. The toughness of 5160 has good use in heavier and rougher use blades than what a thin knife will need. What a thin knife needs is a keen edge at higher hardness. 1084, O-1, 1095, and W2 are all higher in carbon and will make a better thin blade than 5160.

For the newer maker with limited HT skills and equipment, I would suggest either 1084 or O-1. If sending out for HT, 1095, and W2 will make superb slicers for a new maker.

For thin blades that need a tad more toughness, try L-6 or 15N20.
 
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