Types of steel

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hellgap

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Dec 17, 2008
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What im asking is for some one to list the types of steel /stainless /carbon steels. Also place the numbers with the types of steels,and what types are nice to work with . Also explain that for example1095 is coil spring and 5160 is leaf spring.I just want to learn whats better nicer to work with and know the variety because im sure i can find alot for scrap prices but dont know what to look for.I would like to know what type of steel a disc from a farm implement is from a discer. I might be asking to many questions , but i am using capitals and periods . thanks kellyw
 
Just a suggestion and this will save you alot of head aches. Start with a known metal, something you buy from a dealer or supplier that tells you exactly what the steel is. That way you can work out your heat treat on that type of steel and get it working for you.
Working with unknown steels is just shooting in the dark. Yeah scrap is cheap but is your time?
 
Seems like there was a pretty good article online that had a list of common knife making steel types. Google knife making steel and see what you get.
 
Read the descriptions under the "Steel" category. http://engnath.com/public/manframe.htm
For that matter, read through that site. Bob Engnath's tutorials are popular and pertinent many years after the famous man's passing.

I think it is a slippery slope attempting to assign a specific variety of steel to a specific implement like a spring or a saw. Sure, some leaf spring is 5160, but not all. Some saw blades are 15N20 or L6, but far from all. This has created a lot of misinformation in knifemaking.
 
thanks for the replys i guess there really is no easy explaination on scrap steel .
 
Do a search on junkyard steel and you will find a chart with some general guidelines as to what steels typically compose various tools, etc.

Tad
 
what are nicholson files? and craftsman file? and differenct between good file manufactures, trying not to thread bomb. thanks
 
revhard05 said:
what are nicholson files? and craftsman file? and differenct between good file manufactures, trying not to thread bomb. thanks
Click to expand...

There is the problem. The consensus may be that files are 1095 or the Junkyard steel chart I mentioned may say agricultural steel is ______. But there are good files like Nicholsons and there is Chinese crap. There is so much variety that it is hard to say what is what.

Tad Lynch
 
Mike beat me to the Engnath suggestion. That website is where I started, I've read the entire site at least 10 times by now. Not everything is exact, but you'll have a hard time finding a better all-around reference on the internet.
 
Nicholson files are good to make blades from. I have made blades from old nicholson black diamond files for years and they turn out fine and keep an edge. All others I would test first. Most are only case hardened and will not make a good knife. As far as junk yard steel I agree with the others.
 
Files may be 1095 or W1 or maybe something else, including case hardened. Even from the same manufacturer (including Nicholson), you may get different steels at different times.

If you are serious, get known steel that you can be sure you are treating right, read multiple sources on heat treatment-especially steel manufacturer supplied information. Crucible has good data sheets as does Uddeholm for tool steels and if you follow directions you can't (hardly) go wrong.
 
The Engnath link no longer works. Is there a more recent link anyone can post or is the site simply gone?

- Greg
 
Thanks. That was an excellent read.

It occurs to me to wonder whether there is an online chart/spreadsheet that lists the various types of steel and significant statistics about each type. For example:

Composition
Critical HT temperature range
Optimal quench method
Annealed hardness (i.e. grindability)
Optimized hardness range
Maximum hardness
Cost per pound

In addition, it might be interesting to some to have a free form text section for each that describes:

Typical uses
Low cost sources (e.g. Manhole covers, leaf springs, saw blades)
Characteristics/quirks (color, propensity to rust, susceptibility to chemical exposure)

Does anyone know of a database of that type?

Thanks,

- Greg
 
I also find it to be easier to use known steels so I don't waste my forging and grinding time just to crack the knife in heat treat. Buying known steel isn't to expensive either if you know what suppliers to go through. ;)
 
I believe one is better off with doing some research on heat treating various steels and their make up, then choosing the steel that best meets ones available means of HT, unless one intends to obtain the necessary equipment to handle a particular steel that he wishes to use. In other words, match the steel to your HT capabilities, or vice versa.
 
tryppyr said:
Thanks. That was an excellent read.

It occurs to me to wonder whether there is an online chart/spreadsheet that lists the various types of steel and significant statistics about each type. For example:

Composition
Critical HT temperature range
Optimal quench method
Annealed hardness (i.e. grindability)
Optimized hardness range
Maximum hardness
Cost per pound

In addition, it might be interesting to some to have a free form text section for each that describes:

Typical uses
Low cost sources (e.g. Manhole covers, leaf springs, saw blades)
Characteristics/quirks (color, propensity to rust, susceptibility to chemical exposure)

Does anyone know of a database of that type?

Thanks,

- Greg
Click to expand...


http://www.amazon.com/Heat-Treaters-Guide-Practices-Procedures/dp/0871705206
 
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