304 Steel for Knifemaking

[TRAD JOE]

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

[kbaknife]

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.

[Jeremy]

Can't add to anything Karl already said.

"gummy" is definitely the word for it  

[TRAD JOE]

Thanks for the info!