410 SS

[adam]

I had a guy give me a bunch of 410 SS and i was wondering if you could make a knife out of it?? I know 440 is good but this says 410. Would you have to anneal it before working with it. I heard stainless is very hard.

[Jeremy]

Technically, any of the 400 series steels will make a knife.  IMO though, not a one of them is worth the trouble of making a knife out of.

The as quenched hardness of 410C is only a 50-52Rc depending on who you get the steel from. If you don't get the higher carbon grade (ie just 410 or 410A) it'll only be about a 45Rc as quenched.  In either case it'll be pretty soft and not hold an edge very well.

410 is good for forging door knockers, hinges or anything that'll be outside, but not much use for knives imo.