Subject: Re: forget Stainless steel

From: chris Hubbard <[email-masked]>
Date: Wed, 31 Jan 1996 18:31:10 -0600

Thanks everyone for the advice on stainless steel.  I am convinced that this
is something I do not want to work with.  However, I still would like to
forge some nice flatware designs with some type of steel that will not rust
in the person's mouth but which can be forged with a minimum of profanity.
Does that type of steel exist and if so what is it?  Chris Hubbard, Dekalb, IL

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From: [email-masked]
Date: Wed, 31 Jan 1996 22:34:50 -0500

To All,
Stainless steel should be looked upon as a challenge and a learning
experience. Anyone can take a piece of carbon steel and eventually beat it
into the desired shape. Just the change from HRS to a higher carbon grade,
requires a little different technique. Forging bronze can be as much of a
problem as stainless. Temperature control becomes very critical. A few
degrees too hot and you have a puddle. 
As for a fork rusting in someones mouth, what did smiths use prior to
stainless? Very nice utensils can be produced with carbon steel. I just would
not put then in the dishwasher.

regards, 

Bill Hochella