What kind of steel for throwing knives?

[go mike]

I am planning on making a custom throwing knife, and I was wondering, what kind of steel should I use? I was thinking around 1/8 to 3/16 wide, but what quality? What kind of saw should I use to cut it to shape? And finally, do I harden the steel, and if so, to what extent? Thanks for any help!!!

 

[P.Brewster]

Something with < 0.90% carbon would be ideal, such as 1045, 1050, 1055, 1060, 1070, 1075, 1080, 1084 etc. Even 4140 would be pretty good.

Use any kind of metal saw to cut it: bandsaw, hacksaw, cut-off wheel, etc.

Harden fully, and temper to about a 50 Rc. Tempering can be done in a household oven, but you'll need to go up to 600° if you use a steel with more than 0.90% carbon.

You want to google a "tempering chart" (or the like) for the steel you use. Find your desired hardness (50), and use the graph to find the correct temperature to temper at. You simply put the blade in the oven for 2 hours, let cool and repeat, as your last step.