Where to Buy Steel?

[eminart]

I'm brand new here, and basically know nothing. I'm sure I'm asking the same newbie questions that get asked over and over, but I don't see a search function for the forum.

Anyway, I'd like to try to make a knife. I've done some preliminary reading and research and I know it's not as easy as it looks. But, I'd like to give it a shot. I have most of the basic tools - saws, grinders, belt grinders, etc.

What I'd like to know is if there's any place online that sells small quanties (like one or two bars) of carbon steel (1095?) for reasonable prices. Surely there's a supplier that sells to the general public instead of having to go through all the specialty sites that know what the steel is being used for? If not, I'm sure I can find some locally at a machinist/metal shop, but those guys don't always like to deal with some guy wanting a 12" piece of scrap.

 

[panch0]

Midwest knife makers supply, Jantz, and Texas Knifemakers Supply are good.

Welcome to blade forums and hope to see your fist knife, be sure to post a pic.

-frank

 

[J-siah]

I use admiral steel and have never had a problem.

-Josiah

 

[G. Shahan]

Josiah
So your going to be a sailer. I went in when I turned seventeen, by the time I was twenty I had been all over this planet. I hated it then. Thirty years later it seems like some of the best times of my life.
Enjoy it. And God bless you and your family.

Greg

 

[AcridSaint]

Sheffield's is a good source for small quantities if they have the steel you want, as is AKS. I think Kelly Cupples is the best guy to buy carbon steel from, hands down. He'll sell you 1 bar or 100, but you don't get free shipping until you buy $100 worth.

Kelly Cupples / octihunter@charter.net
2807 Butterfield Rd.
Yakima Wa. 98901
509-949-5231

 

[Alden Sherrodd]

Eminart, Most cities have spring shops that will sell steel in small amounts and should have 1095 and 5160. Machinist supply companies sell O-1.
Good luck!
Alden

 

[eminart]

Thanks for the replies everyone. It looks like my best bet for such a small amount is going to be to find something locally. My dad actually works in a structural steel shop and could probably get me some for next to nothing, but I was hoping to give this knife to him as a b'day gift. That's assuming it comes out looking somewhat like a knife in the end. But, I'd like it to be a surpise so I don't want to explain to him why I'm asking for flat stock.

But, I'll look around town next week and see if I can find something.

 

[hellgap]

structural steel is not whay youll be needing and you wont find knife steel we have a huge smelting plant 40 miles from me but its all mild structural steel.When i started 2 months ago i wanted to use any kind of steel that was cheap. Well alot of the time thats what youll end up with is cheap ,not because it cost you sqwat but because you dont know exactly the type of steel is really is unless it was tested . The heat treat will be off and the quality will be sub standard . If you know the type of steel because you bought it then to heat treat it proper is the best way to start off making knives useing known steels.

 

[Cliff Davis]

Eminart
Send me a private message with your address and what lengths you would like. I'd be glad to ship you out some of Aldo's 1084 to help get you started.
Good stuff to work with.

 

[sunshadow]

Eminart
Send me a private message with your address and what lengths you would like. I'd be glad to ship you out some of Aldo's 1084 to help get you started.
Good stuff to work with.

Second on Aldo's 1084. Custom made blade steel, the stuff is amazingly good, and Aldo is a great guy to buy from .

Hey, read the "great info here" threads, pinned at the top, and fill out at least what city you're n in your profile. you might be just down trhe street from some ABS mastersmith and not even know it

-page

 

[eminart]

structural steel is not whay youll be needing and you wont find knife steel we have a huge smelting plant 40 miles from me but its all mild structural steel.When i started 2 months ago i wanted to use any kind of steel that was cheap. Well alot of the time thats what youll end up with is cheap ,not because it cost you sqwat but because you dont know exactly the type of steel is really is unless it was tested . The heat treat will be off and the quality will be sub standard . If you know the type of steel because you bought it then to heat treat it proper is the best way to start off making knives useing known steels.

Oh yeah, I guess I should have worded that more clearly. My dad has been in the metal fabricating business for about 35 years. He's built a little of everything and knows how and where to get pretty much any kind of metal. I wasn't planning to ask him for a piece of rebar - I just know he can probably get carbon steel if I ask.

Eminart
Send me a private message with your address and what lengths you would like. I'd be glad to ship you out some of Aldo's 1084 to help get you started.
Good stuff to work with.

I'll shoot you a pm.