Working with 5160 vs. 1095

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ConneA98

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Other than heat treatment, as I will send it out to one of the treatment facilities in my area, which is easier/ softer to work with? I know, because of it's lower carbon content, 5160 is softer, but I a not sure if that translates to ease of cutting and grinding.:confused:
 
If both are properly annealed, I doubt I could tell the difference between the two when drilling, cutting and grinding.
 
Pretty ambitious for a first knife, but many hundreds of really good bowies have been made from 5160. I warmly suggest you make a couple much smaller blades before you tackle a bowie. 5160 will work fine for them, too.
 
I have personally found 1095 to be slightly easier to work with than 5160, FWIW, speaking specifically of Aldo's offerings.

Whatever you choose to do, big or small, remember it's a learning experience, and make every knife better than the last. I try to pick my projects based not only on what I want to make, but on what I want to learn how to do next (or get more practice with). I like to think I'm getting better.
 
james terrio said:
Pretty ambitious for a first knife, but many hundreds of really good bowies have been made from 5160. I warmly suggest you make a couple much smaller blades before you tackle a bowie. 5160 will work fine for them, too.
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No, James.......everything is easy when you are 15 :)

ConneA98 -
I also suggest making a small drop point hunter or two...or five, before tackiling a big bowie by hand.
 
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