Steel is usually a mixture of Carbon and iron, and they consist of other elements with limited amounts like silicon, sulfur, manganese, and phosphorous. Furthermore, if the steel is pure from these elements, we can refer to it as carbon steel. Best steels for beginner knife making have additional details that form a compound known as alloy steel.
These extra elements provide unique features for various steel types. Therefore, if you wish to start blacksmithing, this guide will help you with sufficient information to choose the necessary type of steel. Remember, alloy steels containing extra elements are labeled and corrosion-resistant stainless steel. Many smiths use alloy steel frequently for knife blades making.
We can determine the best steel for beginner knife making through employed methods such as forging and stick removal. Let us now get into the best steel for beginner knife making.
Stock removal way for knife making
If you intend to start blacksmithing using this method, you should plan to use O1 steel. This is the simplest way and steel to handle while making knife blades. It comes with incredible features that are suitable for beginner knife making.
It is sturdy, and it is easy to work on and temper material. This is amazing because beginners don’t need materials that can make them strain and end up losing hope. Tempering/hardening O1 steel material is easy and straightforward; the material is not temperamental steel.
Making knives through the forging method
Using this method, you need to have a 1095 steel; it is a raw carbon material. The material can make a good start as it is simple to handle and easy to get. However, you may also go with 1070 or 1095 steels for beginner knife making.
What is the meaning of 1070, 1095, etc.? There is a vocabulary that we can employ to determine the percentage of Carbon in the steel material. For example; 1050 steel contains a 0.5% carbon, 1055 contains 0.55% carbon, 1060 has 0.60 percent carbon, and 1095 consists 0.95% carbon.
Some of the best types of steel materials for beginners include; tool steel and carbon steel.
Carbon steel
Attractive steel materials for beginner knife making should have maximum carbon quantity. This feature will ensure blade strength and hardness necessary for preventing wear and impact. Also, it would help if you went for steel materials that can be heat-treated easily by beginners.
For example, 1075 is an appropriate solution for beginners because it has a sort of barebones. It is a combination of Carbon, iron, and other few substances making the material suitable for industrial actual cutting knife blades. You can use a blowtorch to heat-treat this material; I prefer a blowtorch because you can easily access it.
Furthermore, 1075 is a simple knife-making material that sometimes doesn’t need soaking. Therefore, you need to choose the right steel for knife making to be confident with what you will do. However, if you use carbon steel to make knives, it can sometimes rust because Carbon does not contain large alloying elements responsible for corrosion resistance.
Therefore, you need to be sure that whatever carbon steel material you choose is corrosive-resistant. Examples of carbon steel typical grades for making knives include; C1045 (Medium), C1075 (High), and C1090 (Wear resistance and high carbon steel).
Tool steel
It is one of the best typical options that I can recommend for knife making. Generally, tool steels are carbon steels with additional alloying elements responsible for boosting their mechanical properties. The alloying elements are also responsible for raising the steel’s corrosion-resistant, though not to stainless steel level.
A standard steel grade material for knife making is A2 that contains 5% chrome and 1% carbon. Although this tool steel is more rigid than some other materials, it has excellent sturdiness. If there is no maximum care and maintenance, A2 steel can easily rust.
D2 is another type of tool steel has air-hardened material, high chromium, and high Carbon. More so, it features edge retention and higher corrosion-resistant properties that A2. However, the solution delivers lower toughness.
M2 is another top molybdenum-based tool steel that is suitable for retaining knives edges, but sometimes it becomes fragile for particular demands.
Tips on how to organize a tool chest properly to keep tools scratch-free and looks new always
- Always store tools for specific finishing tasks in one place. This will enable you to access your tools easily when the need arises.
- Try to group some tools that have similar features, i.e., screwdrivers. There is no need to separate your devices; place them in one place for easy access.
- Don’t store delicate tools in one place; separate them from other agencies in the chest drawer.
- Arrange your tools in the chest drawer, starting with the ones you use frequently.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use steel for knife forging?
Yes, smaller and thicker steel can be useful for knife forging. You can use a good number of scrap metals for knife forging. When using the forging method for knife making, you need to have a 1095 steel; it is an explicit carbon material. The material can make a good start as it is simple to handle and easy to get.
What is the best tool for making knives?
Tool steel remains the best standard option for knife making. Generally, tool steels are carbon steels with additional alloying elements responsible for boosting their mechanical properties. The alloying elements are also responsible for raising the steel’s corrosion-resistant, though not to stainless steel.
Also read: What size anvil for Knife making?
Conclusion
The best steel for beginner knife making should function consistently without failing. Using appropriate steel to make such knives may be tiresome because you will have to sharpen the knife blade to get a slight edge that doesn’t dull or fracture. Achieving this is simple: using the right knife-making material; the inappropriate grade and steel will result in early edge dulling and premature failure.
Remember, not all metallic materials are suitable for knife making. Thank God this article highlights various types of steel that are essential for knife making by beginners. Therefore, go through the above report to get all necessary steel knife materials information for starters.