Subject: Bladesmithing metal

From: [email-masked] (Stephen Smith)
Date: Tue, 30 Apr 1996 21:09:36 -0400 (EDT)

What kind of metal is good for making blades?  I've read several books on
the subject, but I'm having trouble deciding what is best for the job I'm
trying to do.  Also, where can I get this steel?  Can it be acquired from
any tool steel company or is there some place else I should be looking?

Stephen Smith

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From: George Ezell <[email-masked]>
Date: Wed, 01 May 1996 03:56:50 -0500

Stephen Smith wrote:
> Stephen SmithHello again, Stephen,
	That's a mighty big question.  
1095(Bill Fiorini's got some he needs to get rid of, and most files are made of such)
	Very high carbon, breaks if abused, good for hunting knives & skinners.
1084, a little milder, simple carbon steel, makes a darn good utility blade.
5160. I have heard all springs are made of this steel, but I don't believe it.
	Excellent steel, easier to forge than 1095 & 1084, good for BIG knives
	that need flexiblity (like swords).  My favorite.
O-1, like 1095, not very flexible, excellent wear resistance.
52100, found in many ball bearings and bearing races, might be the pick of the
	litter for excellent wear resistance and flexibility.
None of these steels are worth a Chinese pocket knife without proper heat-treating.
They will all rust...quickly.  These are the steels I have experience with.
Admiral Steel L.P. carries all these steels, and quite a bit more.  They also 
have a free catalog:
Admiral Steel L.P.
4152 W. 123rd street
Chicago(Alsip), IL 60658-1869
800-323-7055  Fax: 708-388-9317
Not trying to play expert here, but maybe that will help you some.
Oh yeah,
L-6, found in those huge bandsaw blades, a good all around blade steel.  Admiral 
doesn't carry it, Carpender does, I have no address (would like one, though).
L-6 looks great in pattern-welded steel, and holds an edge alot better than
nickel.
	As for using a swage, just as much effort is involved moving the metal
as with an anvil.  As long as you don't over or under heat the steel it shouldn't
matter.
	All these steels harden quite well in warm oil.
Enough for now...
	George Ezell

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From: Bob Bigelow <[email-masked]>
Date: Thu, 02 May 1996 01:22:57 -0700

>         All these steels harden quite well in warm oil.

George, check cartech.com on the web, it's Carpenter steel's home page!
cheers :-)

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From: Chris Kilpatrick <[email-masked]>
Date: Wed, 01 May 1996 22:55:27 -0700

For My ffirst knives, I went to a saw mill and got old broken 
bandsaw blades, 9" wide, cut in 6' sections and about 1/10" thick, the 
steel used in all WOOD CUTTING saw blades is L6 which stands for low 
alloy, meaning it's chicken soup; a little silicon for shock resistance, 
a little nickel for wear resistance, just a touch of chromium for rust 
resistance.  Hard to break, easy to work.