what is the best...

[David Yukon]

Ok here a good one... from a guy that would like to make a knife... kind of my first one!!
What would be the best steel to use? I won't be forging it, I will shape it most likely by hand, with files!

what do you suggest. I have a friend that could do the heat tretment for me.

Thank you.

[madness522]

1075, 1080, or 1084 would be good to make a knife with limited tools and heat treating capability.  If your friend has a way to control the soak temp 5160 would also be good.

[David Yukon]

Thank you, I will chck with him, if he as some of that stuff!!

[Ragnarok Forge]

1080 or 1084 are very forgiving on heat treatment.

[David Yukon]

What about O1 tool steel? My friend said he as some, and it is probably the most foul proof to work with?!?!
He's a knife maker, and he as everything to heat treat.... That said, I would be doing all the work with files, sand paper.

[gudspelr]

If your friend has made knives, has the steel, as well as the know-how to heat treat it, then I'd say go ahead and give it a whirl.  If you're going to be doing draw filing and sanding (which is how I started), you should be fine as long as the steel is good and soft (annealed).  O1 is definitely a higher alloy steel (deeper hardening), but I wouldn't worry a whole lot about the steel at this point.  Again, with a friend who can help walk you through a few things and heat treat, just jump on it and have some fun.  And be sure to post some pictures   .


Jeremy

[David Yukon]

Thank you Jeremy. I will go for a visit at is shop tomorow... And I think it will be fun. I will post some pics of my work and the final thing as well!!

[gudspelr]

Good deal, David.  You're going to have a great time.  Good luck to you


Jeremy