Which stainless steel for bolsters?

matus

matus

Joined
Apr 24, 2009
Messages
662
I have managed to find pretty much everything one needs for basic knifemaking, but I am having hard time finding stainless steel for bolsters (I am located in Germany).

I am wondering what kind of stainless (non hardening) steel do you guys use and where do you source it.

thanks
 
416 stainless machines pretty well. Just make sure you get the pin stock to match if you want to blend/hide your pins after polishing.

As for where to source it, here in the states it's pretty easy to come by. USAKnifemaker, or just about any of the other knife making suppliers... also Amazon, Ebay, or other online metal distributors.
 
I agree with Andre Riley in his advice to use 416 stainless steel and to make sure the rod stock for pins is the same. If you could use a slightly softer material that is beautiful and takes a slow "Patina" then try using nickel silver bar stock and pin stock to make your guards. It is easy to work and looks great....in my opinion. Larry

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matus said:
Thanks I missed that one. but it seems that the maximal thickness they offer is 3mm - way too little for bolsters.
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I picked up some from dictum not to long ago it was 1/4 inch by 1 by 12 and had the sticker from jantz Stil on it I guess they order all or at least some of there stock from them. What part of Germany are you from? I am about 20 Minutes from Passau.
 
dluxhvac said:
I picked up some from dictum not to long ago it was 1/4 inch by 1 by 12 and had the sticker from jantz Stil on it I guess they order all or at least some of there stock from them. What part of Germany are you from? I am about 20 Minutes from Passau.
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I am in Aalen - not too close to Passau unfortunately. I am drop Dictum an email and ask whether they can get some other thickness. But actually I can also ask the guy who does HT for me (Achim Wirtz), he sells knife steel too, so maybe he will have something of this kind too.
 
matus said:
I am in Aalen - not too close to Passau unfortunately. I am drop Dictum an email and ask whether they can get some other thickness. But actually I can also ask the guy who does HT for me (Achim Wirtz), he sells knife steel too, so maybe he will have something of this kind too.
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If you want I could send you a short piece for one set of bolsters just let me know how much you need. E-mail me at dluxhvac@gmail.com
 
If anyone knows where to get 303 in thinner (3/16 and under) sheets, please let me know!
It's an austenitic steel, so unlike 410 and 416, it's highly corrosion resistant without being hardened. I've used it as pinned bolsters on larger knives, and the only drawback is that the pinstock doesn't peen as well- just doesn't seem to be as ductile, even with an extra anneal.
Anyway, it'd be perfect for liners and thin bolsters if I could find it thin.
416/410 is really nice to work with, but not really ideal in its annealed state.
 
dluxhvac said:
If you want I could send you a short piece for one set of bolsters just let me know how much you need. E-mail me at dluxhvac@gmail.com
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That is very kind of you. I am not in a hurry at the moment (I am yet to make a full tang knife), but I am trying to locate some source for the future. I have read elsewhere than something like 316 is great, but question is where to get it (and what European specification it corresponds to.
 
matus said:
That is very kind of you. I am not in a hurry at the moment (I am yet to make a full tang knife), but I am trying to locate some source for the future. I have read elsewhere than something like 316 is great, but question is where to get it (and what European specification it corresponds to.
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http://www.zknives.com/knives/steels/steelchart.php this chart will help you cross reference steel to European standards.
 
416 is the free machining grade of 410 [higher sulphur ] as 303 is free machining grade of 304. 416 can be hardened to a slight degree and some feel it's easier to handle in that condition. the austenitic grades like 303 are "gummy" to machine . Most think 416 is the better choice.
 
Thanks, Mete!
They both work great for me, and I really have been enjoying working with 303 since Karl Anderson recommended it.
 
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