What kind of steel do I have?

go mike

go mike

Joined
Dec 5, 2008
Messages
1,597
I bought a strip of steel from Menards, to try to make a knife, but I don't know what kind of steel quality it is. The tag shows as follows:

Steel WorkS c6
WELD STL - FLAT
1/8" X 1 - 1/4" - 4 FT
ACERO SOLDABLE - PLANO
1/8" X 1 - 1/4" - 4 pies


51412
SKU# 2278610
8332240
HILL # 11657


Any information about this is appreciated. I believe it is a low carbon steel.
 
This is just a mild weld steel. Won't harden so won't make a good knife but would be good for practice if nothing else.
 
Hi Mike,
Although I can't say for sure, chances are, if you bought it from Menards its not going to be appropriate for the blade part of any knife build. Most likely it's mild steel. Sorry



;)
 
It's at best 1018. So you bought your first practice steel... good. Somethings you'll want to know...
1) It's not hardenable.
2) It wont hold an edge once you sharpen it.
3) It will however be a great practice piece to learn to grind with, forge with, and most generally practice with... make some practice pieces with it. Please read the stickies at the top of the main makers page, for tips on how to make a knife, from choosing steel to heat treating tricks. When you need real knife steel, get a hold of Aldo or a few of the others here on the forums and get some 1084. It's the BEST steel to begin makeing knives with becuase it's so easy to heat treat.
 
Check with Aldo Bruno in the knife making supplies sale area of the maker's section here. The title is something like "the steel is in". Contact Aldo and see if he has any of his 1084 left. Otherwise, there are other sources to get 1084 or even 1080. Check out Admiral steel among others. I think you'll be very pleased with the ease of heat treating and the finished product if you use a 1084 steel to start with.

--nathan
 
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