What Type of Steel for first beginner knife?

[jolson]

I am sure this has been asked a thousand times but I am wanting to get started by making a simple 3-3/4" full tang blade hunting knife from basic hand tools and a one brick forge I am planning on making. It has been suggested that I start with 1075, 1084 or 5160 1/8" steel. I know nothing about any of them except that I cannot find any of them locally. So my first question is, which one should I make my first knife with and where are the best places to buy it without spending a fortune?

 

[danbot]

I am sure this has been asked a thousand times but I am wanting to get started by making a simple 3-3/4" full tang blade hunting knife from basic hand tools and a one brick forge I am planning on making. It has been suggested that I start with 1075, 1084 or 5160 1/8" steel. I know nothing about any of them except that I cannot find any of them locally. So my first question is, which one should I make my first knife with and where are the best places to buy it without spending a fortune?

Welcome!
0-1 is usually easy to find. Depending on where you live though it may be hit or miss. Where have you looked?

 

[Charlie Mike]

1084 is very easy to heat treat.

 

[jolson]

Welcome!
0-1 is usually easy to find. Depending on where you live though it may be hit or miss. Where have you looked?

I have gone to a large steel plant. I also recently called a veteran knife builder in our city and he said I won't find any here and that I am better off just ordering it from a knife supplier.

 

[Charlie Mike]

I get my O1 from Amazon.

 

[jolson]

Is o1 a good steel to start with? What are its characteristics? Can I heat treat it myself?

 

[danbot]

I have gone to a large steel plant. I also recently called a veteran knife builder in our city and he said I won't find any here and that I am better off just ordering it from a knife supplier.

Maybe try Amazon like Charlie Mike does. We have a Metal Supermarket where I live, but their prices are not cheap for small quantities.

 

[Charlie Mike]

O1 is a great tool steel with very good edge holding and very poor corrosion resistance.

Hold at 1500 approx for 5 minutes and oil quench. Temper twice at 375F for 2 hours.

 

[danbot]

Is o1 a good steel to start with? What are its characteristics? Can I heat treat it myself?

Yes, O1 is a very common tool steel and is very forgiving with heat treat. You can use a torch or a proper HT oven and quench in oil.
Some have even had good results quenching in Canola oil.

 

[jolson]

For my first project, I plan on making a 3-3/4" blade hunting knife. Would you suggest 1/8" thick or 3/16" thickness?

 

[jolson]

I get my O1 from Amazon.

I looked on Amazon and many of the ads say the steel is "annealed" already. Does that mean I don't have to do the heat, quench and bake process?

 

[Charlie Mike]

If you plan on using it for dressing game, I'd go with 1/8"

 

[Charlie Mike]

I looked on Amazon and many of the ads say the steel is "annealed" already. Does that mean I don't have to do the heat, quench and bake process?

Means it is soft and ready to machine. Means you will need to harden it before its done.

 

[jolson]

If you plan on using it for dressing game, I'd go with 1/8"

Would best width be 1-1/2" or 2"?

 

[danbot]

Would best width be 1-1/2" or 2"?

Draw out your design to the finished size, and then draw a rectangle around it. That will let you know what width you will need.

 

[jolson]

Draw out your design to the finished size, and then draw a rectangle around it. That will let you know what width you will need.

Thanks! I really appreciate everyone's input.

 

[danbot]

Thanks! I really appreciate everyone's input.

You're welcome! Post up some pics for us when you finish! If you run into more technical questions than these as you go, the "Knifemakers Shop Talk" sub-forum here is a great place to ask!
https://bladeforums.com/forums/shop-talk-bladesmith-questions-and-answers.741/