Trad Gang

Main Boards => Hunting Knives and Crafters => Topic started by: TRAD JOE on March 25, 2010, 05:38:00 PM

Title: 304 Steel for Knifemaking
Post by: TRAD JOE on March 25, 2010, 05:38:00 PM

Hi guys, a friend of mine came into a large batch of 304 stainless. Is it any good for knife making? Any special notes on working with this steel?

Thanks for any insight.
Joe

Title: Re: 304 Steel for Knifemaking
Post by: kbaknife on March 25, 2010, 06:32:00 PM

Good for guards and butt caps, etc.
It is a non-martensitic steel, meaning not enough iron to be magnetic or carbon to be hardenable.
You may find that it will break a lot of bits and end mills as it is rather gummy and "grabby".
It is not free machining, sort of soft like brass and german/nickel silver.
But you can shape it with files and dull bits.

Title: Re: 304 Steel for Knifemaking
Post by: Jeremy on March 25, 2010, 09:02:00 PM

Can't add to anything Karl already said.

"gummy" is definitely the word for it  :)

Title: Re: 304 Steel for Knifemaking
Post by: TRAD JOE on March 28, 2010, 02:25:00 AM

Thanks for the info!