where to buy bulk steel

C

crank78

Joined
Dec 21, 2013
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im going to buy enough steel to make a few hundred knives. what and where would be my best option. should i buy sheets or what? also looking for bulk micarta and g10.
 
I prefer sheets for unknown patterns and styles/shapes, and bars for known ones. If just starting out, I would buy bars in 48" length and three widths 1", 1.25", and 2". Thickness can be in two thicknesses. .065-.090 range for slicers, and .125-.150" range for camp and heavy blades. If forging, 1X.25" bar stock does well for most blades, and 1/5X.25" for big ones. Or forge from 3/4" round stock.
 
ty im looking to buy sheets of micarta tho. i can cut it up myself. 14-16$ for 1 set of micarta scales is a little to much.
 
Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith said:
I prefer sheets for unknown patterns and styles/shapes, and bars for known ones. If just starting out, I would buy bars in 48" length and three widths 1", 1.25", and 2". Thickness can be in two thicknesses. .065-.090 range for slicers, and .125-.150" range for camp and heavy blades. If forging, 1X.25" bar stock does well for most blades, and 1/5X.25" for big ones. Or forge from 3/4" round stock.
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ty for the info. i like to forge some. i been having trouble finding 1095 in round stock. got a ton of semi leaf springs to beat on but i don't like the risk of them having cracks. ill be getting most of my patterns cut at the local machine shop. hes gonna cut them for 1-2$ a blade depending on size. Ill probably do just what you said tho. ill buy it in sheets to send to him and bars for myself.

ps i still go the first knife i made from the 1084 you recommended back in 2013 when i first started making knives.. thanks again its been a great little knife, that's seen use as screwdrivers and everything else lol.
 
About micarta/G10: I haven't done careful price comparisons, but these folks offer big sheets at what seem like good prices--less expensive than the knife-supply places. I noticed a number of products/colors that I wanted were out of stock. I dropped a note to the company, and they said to call and they'd set things up. Encouraging!

http://www.cuestik.com/store/?DEPARTMENT_ID=387
 
Thats not to bad of a price on theres. I have spent a lot of money with atlas over the years. I used to make custom pool cues. There actually a pretty good company .I always got a good product from them. Didn't realize they carried the sheets. Used to they just had rod for making furells, joints, and end caps for cues.
 
Micarta is interesting and not that hard to make. I made presses out of thick plywood sheets and cut 6x12" strips of fabric and used Bondo Fiberglass Resin. I just made small slabs of burlap in black and blue this week. Next I will probably mix the two for a texture that come out when carved and do a slab in natural colored (un-dyed) burlap. I have used denim in the past. I have found my results to compare with slabs that I have bought. I haven't tried linen or canvas because they are so readily available. Quart of Bondo is $15 and can make 2 or 3 slabs of 6x12" which could yield as many as 9 pairs of scales. I do it less for the cost and more for the challenge and ability to use my choice of fabric. Just a thought
 
danhowl said:
Micarta is interesting and not that hard to make. I made presses out of thick plywood sheets and cut 6x12" strips of fabric and used Bondo Fiberglass Resin. I just made small slabs of burlap in black and blue this week. Next I will probably mix the two for a texture that come out when carved and do a slab in natural colored (un-dyed) burlap. I have used denim in the past. I have found my results to compare with slabs that I have bought. I haven't tried linen or canvas because they are so readily available. Quart of Bondo is $15 and can make 2 or 3 slabs of 6x12" which could yield as many as 9 pairs of scales. I do it less for the cost and more for the challenge and ability to use my choice of fabric. Just a thought
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What you are discribing is often called "mycarta" as micarta is a brand name. Its generally considered in the same breath as home stabilizing.

It works, but it is certainly not the best product
 
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