IWould this Steel be Suitable??

[Nala]

Hey all,

I have been wanting to try and make a knife and haven't gotten past the reading stage.  I was in Tractor Supply yesterday just looking around and I came upon a display in the welding section of some steel slats, rods, angle and such.  I noticed they had several pieces that would be suitable to make a knife out of like 1 1/2 by 1/8th, 2 x 1/8th and so on.  I would do the stock removal method.

I looked on the display, on the tags and everywhere else but couldn't find a description of what KIND of steel it was.  All it said was HOT ROLLED STEEL.  No Numbers or anything.

Can you tell me what kind of steel this is?

Would it be suitable for knife making?

If I did get some and start making a knife would I have to do anything to it prior to removing material like soften it or would it be soft enough already to file and grind out the shape I want?

Thanks for the help.

Nalajr

[sticshooter]

Thats more like mild steel i'll bet.and that woud not be good for a knife. If ya like I can sedn you a piece of sawsteel that is great for a knife. I know i know some call it mystery steel but I have got it tested it and is good and i get 58 rockwell out of it. No I don't know if it 1084 or 1095 or what ever but hey it hits 58 AND THATS DANG GOOD.Makes a dandy knife that holds a good edge may not cut steel pipe but then who needs to cut steel pipe. I can anneal it for you also.<><

[kbaknife]

It's either A36 or 1018, neither of which is any good for knife blades.

[Nala]

Thank you all for the help.  You just saved me about $8 in a bad steel purchase and about $15 in gas to get there and back.  I know it ain't a lot of money, but it adds up.  I came a hair walking out with a piece of that stuff to try and make my first knife.

Thanks again and thanks to Stic for his help as well.

Nalajr