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Main Boards => Hunting Knives and Crafters => Topic started by: Axes bows n knives on February 09, 2011, 02:25:00 PM

Title: steel vs steel.
Post by: Axes bows n knives on February 09, 2011, 02:25:00 PM

Hey guys I have read alot about tool steels and stainless steels for knife making recently and would like to know which steel you guys think is the best for a handmade knife as a general hunting/bushcraft knife with about a 3-5 inch blade. Also what is the best way to temper this steel.

Title: Re: steel vs steel.
Post by: TheBigRedArcher on February 09, 2011, 06:57:00 PM

I am partial to D2 myself. Holds a good edge.

TBRA

Title: Re: steel vs steel.
Post by: Lin Rhea on February 09, 2011, 07:23:00 PM

Are you planning on making the knife yourself?

Doing your own heat treat etc.?

Title: Re: steel vs steel.
Post by: Axes bows n knives on February 09, 2011, 08:24:00 PM

Yes I was planning on making it myself

Title: Re: steel vs steel.
Post by: Lin Rhea on February 09, 2011, 08:46:00 PM

I've seen some pretty nice knives made from spring steel or from US made files. It all depends on the effort you put in. These types of steels are commonly called "simple" steels, because they have relatively few alloys and they are comparitively simple to manipulate. I outlined a few steps of heat treating in the thread "Thoughts on Heat Treating". I'd be glad to offer my help if you need it.

  Thought on Heat Treating a Blade (http://tradgang.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=110;t=002974)

Title: Re: steel vs steel.
Post by: Scott Roush on February 10, 2011, 09:20:00 PM

Get your hands on some 1084. Extremely easy to harden with primitive equipment and is tough as heck. Contact the New Jersey Steel Baron and buy a bar. You won't be sad.