What is a good steel to use for a large blade?

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ulgah

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May 13, 2008
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What is a good steel to use for a large blade? (Musso Bowie) 14 ¼” long, 2 ½” – 3” wide, ¼” or more thick, and about 6 inches more for the handle. This will be for show, so it doesn’t have to be a super steel. Preferably a stainless, as I am lazy. Something that’s easy to find, to work with, ect, ect. I am not a knife maker, I have no forge, but I cannot find what I want. The only thing I can find, that is just barely in the ball park, is much more than I want or can spend!! So this will be an attempt between me and local steel fabricators to make me a showpiece. Any ideas or advice will be appreciated. TIA:)
 
ulgah said:
What is a good steel to use for a large blade? (Musso Bowie) 14 ¼” long, 2 ½” – 3” wide, ¼” or more thick, and about 6 inches more for the handle. This will be for show, so it doesn’t have to be a super steel. Preferably a stainless, as I am lazy. Something that’s easy to find, to work with, ect, ect. I am not a knife maker, I have no forge, but I cannot find what I want. The only thing I can find, that is just barely in the ball park, is much more than I want or can spend!! So this will be an attempt between me and local steel fabricators to make me a showpiece. Any ideas or advice will be appreciated. TIA:)
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If the knife is just for show you could use stuff that isn't really even cutlery grade alloy. You would find that it is easier to cut and shape than true cutlery grade alloys.

How about some nice 420? Not even 420HC. Just straight 420.
 
True indeed, if it's just for show 420 in any of its various forms could be OK.

I recommended 440C because those "just for show" knives often somehow become users; and there's a very small price difference between 440C and the other which belies the difference in performance.

But if truly just for show, sure, 420J is OK.

Heck, CRKT even was making blades out of it not long ago.
And selling them too.
 
I think a non-stainless such as 5160 or A2 would be better suited for a knife like that. Even one of the 1080, 1095 type steels.
 
Bimmer1 said:
I think a non-stainless such as 5160 or A2 would be better suited for a knife like that. Even one of the 1080, 1095 type steels.
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True, I also think a coated 5160 or coated 1095 would be great.
Even uncoated if cared for properly.

But the OP specified stainless...
 
440C would be great if it works OK with large blades. I have read that certain steels are good for small blades but not for large blades. You are right about usefulness, since 440C is OK for large blades, I will gladly use that one!:D Thank You. Brass spine, large squared brass guard with forward facing lugs, stacked leather, coffin shaped handle with stainless or brass pommel. ;)
 
Bimmer1 said:
I think a non-stainless such as 5160 or A2 would be better suited for a knife like that. Even one of the 1080, 1095 type steels.
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I first thought of 5160. I read up on that and it seems to be very good for large blades. How does 5160 compare to 440C to work with, and bonding brass to?
 
ulgah said:
I first thought of 5160. I read up on that and it seems to be very good for large blades. How does 5160 compare to 440C to work with, and bonding brass to?
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5160 and 440C are certainly very different.

5160 rusts easily, it develops a "patina" - which many find attractive - it oxidizes, in other words. To keep it nice and shiny you'll have to apply some protectant but there are many available.

And it's generally accepted that it's a great steel for big blades.

440C has proven itself for many years for blades large and small, but 5160 is a "tougher" steel.

Frankly, for a showpiece I'd rather have a good stainless.
It'll gleam, with very little care needed.

But if you want a big chopper, go with 5160, A2, L6, O1, W2, S7.
Depending on what you're looking to invest in terms of $$.


As for bonding, etc., and the details of actually making the knife, I'd post those questions in the Knifemakers forum.
 
INFI, INFI, INFI! Not supposed to be stainless, but it is... What other hogs agree with me?
 
moose1132 said:
INFI, INFI, INFI! Not supposed to be stainless, but it is... What other hogs agree with me?
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You beat me to it! :D

Except the OP is looking to make a blade; there is no raw INFI to be found outside of Wauseon OH.

For performance, A2 or D2. For stainless, 440C would do just fine.
 
I am very impressed with SRS15 which is High Speed High Carbon Stainless on Samurai Bowie G-Sakai made.

Thanks, Vassili.
 
Lycosa said:
Take the Plunge---INFI! You Will believe!!
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Isn't Busse the only people that have that, or control it?? That would probably put it beyond my reach. Where else can that be found?
Thanks to all for your inputs, especially to rifon2, you have been very helpful. At this point I'm leaning to 440C. As rifon2 suggests, I'll be asking more questions in different areas. My eyes and ears are still open, the more knowledge I can glean from you folks, the easier this should be.:D
 
ulgah said:
Isn't Busse the only people that have that, or control it?? That would probably put it beyond my reach. Where else can that be found?
Thanks to all for your inputs, especially to rifon2, you have been very helpful. At this point I'm leaning to 440C. As rifon2 suggests, I'll be asking more questions in different areas. My eyes and ears are still open, the more knowledge I can glean from you folks, the easier this should be.:D
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If you ask about the best or toughest steel some peoples answer to everything is Busse and INFI is the shit etc etc.Some wont even read further than toughest or best steel.
Or sharpening some dont even read your post there programed to say sharpmaker no matter what.
 
Not stainless but 5160 is what I have always used for my large knife projects. You could have it plated/coated for ease of maintenance. You can buy it at your local automotive spring shops by the pound. You could get the amount you need for likely less than 20.00 dollars.
As far as bonding brass to it. The nepalese Kamis that make the khukuri do some great brass and copper inlays to 5160 all the time. Looks great too!
 
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