What Steel

[unky_gumbi]

Well its almost time to send my next 2 blades to Knifemaker.ca (Rob) for heat treating. While I am at it I might as well order a bit of steel as well.

What my dilemma is that while I liked working with the 5160, 13/64 is just a bit thick for my next couple of knives. I will still be using my hand tools and it still a bit cold up here to break out the forge So I am looking at get either some 1075/1080 in 1/8X2 or some 01 in 1/8 or 3/16 by 2. What I would like to make is a longer version of my WIP knife with a 6-7 inch blade and the little handle mods I mentioned in that thread and a larger version of my Bowie styled blades I will be sending out for HT. Any thoughts on those 2 steels for stock removal?

 

[wnease]

I'd go with o1, better edge holding and I don't think you will lose much in toughness at most hardnesses, probably none at rc60. I think Rob will make sure it gets cryo. I've been very satisfied with o1 for everything from pocketknives to axes. On the other hand, I get o1 very cheap (or used to, anyway).

It's fairly easy to machine and dead easy to grind.

 

[SBuzek]

Both are good steels for what your doing.If you plan to H/T them youself then get the 1080.Easy to do yourself in the forge.If your gonna send them to Rob then get the O-1.
Stan

 

[Mungo Park]

With the time you spend on a blade I would go with some Damascus if I was you.
If not 01 is what I use, you can buy bars at Metal Supermarket and save on shipping.
Cheers Ron.