Is Stainless Steel, 304L grade 2" Wide X 1/8" Thick any decent to make a good blade out of?

Racking my brain, I don't think this makes good blade steel as I don't think it hardens well with the heat treating process. Guards and pommels aren't a problem though. Good "fixture" steel. I think this is correct, please enlighten me if I'm off base.

quote:

Originally posted by sybo:
Racking my brain, I don't think this makes good blade steel as I don't think it hardens well with the heat treating process. Guards and pommels aren't a problem though. Good "fixture" steel. I think this is correct, please enlighten me if I'm off base.

sybo is spot on. If you wanting to get into blade making, start with some high carbon steels, they're easier to learn the heat treat process anyways. If you want to stick with a stainless steel, look into the 440 series of stainless steels.



Don

304 and 304L don't have enough carbon to make a good knife. They are too soft.

For working knives the austinitics (300 series) are crap.
No real way for the average citizen to get the hardness high up to a decent, uniform, useful level.
Only way to increase its hardness is through work/strain hardening, ie: deformation.
The only heat treat you can do on it is stress relieving to remove the work hardening...

A wall hanger yes.
Easy to work with, cheap, and will take a nice polish.

Get some martinsitic (400 series as mentioned is quite popular)or maybe a leaf spring from a wrecking yard.

Thanks.

I have about 2ft left of this steel.
I framed out the inside of by kitchen window with it, and had some extra.
Scratch that idea.

I've been watching a few youtube videos and I think I'm going to try to make a knife.

Maybe this will be something I do with my Son.

Striperkid, go for it!! What a great thing to share with a Son!! If I can offer any help, give me a shout!! I don't mind at all!!
Jim
Dragons Breath Knives



Bird and trout knife!
Something like this would be a fun project!!

Jim,

Thanks, I may just do that. About to sit down and watch a few of your videos.

Edit to add: You probably have the strongest forearms by the way you sling that sledge !

I think this is the best route for me to start. I have all of the materials/tools to get this going.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WkRjPEFXBpU