Steel Prices

[Ragnarok Forge]

I was poking around in the phone book today and found a local automotive spring manufacturer.  They use 4140 and 5160 in a variety of sizes for their springs.  They will sell their drops for $3 a lb.  I thought that price sounded a bit high.  Anyone know what a good price per lb is for 5160?  Is there anything specific about the 5160 steel I should ask?  I know it can come in different minor variations.   I don't want to waste money buying steel that will make poor quality blades.

[kbaknife]

Personally, I worry more about the cost of grinding belts and drill bits and such than I do about the cost of steel.
I was in a discussion the other day about the cost of some steels almost doubling from the price of around 2 bucks up to nearly 4 dollars/lb.
All I could do was shake my head.
These guys having this discussion would take a pound of steel that costs 4 dollars and make and sell knives that cost more than $500.00 and they were complaining about the extra 2 dollars?
Costs me a buck for a cup of coffee.

That said, what you might do is politely ask the spring shop if they have a chemistry spec on the steel they buy. Not just a generic sheet from their supplier, but an actual chemistry from the mill. Every single batch of steel from a mill has a written description of the alloys used in THAT!! batch.
Now, how far down the line they care to keep it WITH the steel depends upon to whom it goes.
Some guys just toss in the circular file. But some keep it.
So, it wouldn't hurt to ask.
It's probably pretty good no matter what.
5160 is not normally an exotic steel.
It's great steel just about however it comes out.
I've got a supply with the following spec:

C     MN   SI   CR    MO   NI   CU    V     N
0.61 0.87 0.22 0.71 <.014 0.05 0.21 0.03 0.0048

I was able to get enough of one batch that I sent a piece off to have analyzed.

Drops may vary over time.

[Doug Campbell]

Another steel source for 5160 you might consider is if you have a John Deere dealership in the neighborhood. After reading Ed Fowler's book, (which actually implies they are 52100, good stuff also) many years ago where he talked about using JD Load Shafts I started searching. I contacted the Shop Foreman at the local shop and found out the old ones were normally just thrown in the dumpster. He was glad to save them for me. The first visit he had four or five for me... I've since given him a knife from the steel to show my appreciation. Probably packed home 150# of load shafts since then...

I've heard good and bad about these but I've made a test knife or two and they performed/bent fine. I think typically JD had some high standards set but I expect like Karl said they will vary batch to batch...

Something to think about and satisfies that "salvage/recycle" urge some get also.

[Ragnarok Forge]

How big are the load shafts?  I have access to an air hammer to forge down larger pieces.

[kbaknife]

They're about 1 1/8"? Something like that.

[Ragnarok Forge]

Call me cheap!  With a wife in college and two kids, I am a recycler for sure.  I am looking at putting in a big order to Kelly Cupples.  I may drive over to see him, he is a couple hours drive from my place.  Throw in being a hobby bladesmith right now and I have to keep my costs down when I can.

[Ragnarok Forge]

Thanks for the input, very much appreciated.