Working annealed stainless

Annealed is the correct term. Stainless in itself is harder in the annealed state than some carbon steels but you can still file it.
 
I have been working with the stainless steels for years now and have no problems .I remember back in the 90's when folks talked about how more difficult it was to work with ATS-34 than O-1 . For me I found that to be false .
 
Thanks guys. I was just recalling how difficult cutting and drilling could be on things like a stainless cabinet etc. I'd like to get a piece of stainless bar stock and do stock removal to create a blade profile to my liking. I would outsource the heat treating.
 
I have found working stainless to be less forgiving than carbon steel. As long as I use fresh sharp drill bits, files and sanding belts it's no problem. If I don't, I find it does work harden more easily than the carbon steel I've worked with.
 
There are resulpherized types for easier machining .301 stainless will work harden fastest. Use sharp tools .Don't baby it , use a good feed rate otherwise you'll work harden it !
 
Depends on the steel. Out of what I've used, this is my list from easiest to hardest workability. The vast majority of carbon steels I've used are easier than anything here, with the exception of D2, which probably lines up with 154 or 440. The difference between AEB-L and S90V is huge, I would say its about four times as much work in the hand-sand and finishing stages.

AEB-L, 14C28N
154CM
440C
S35VN
S30V
S90V/S110V
 
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