Stainless steel knife blades are considered a compromise by some knife making or bladesmith enthusiasts. Knife making is a hobby that can be enjoyed by young and old. Building a homemade knife is a creative and fun project. A homemade knife can be easily made from an old hand saw, or an old circular saw blade. The tempered steel will create a fine old fashioned knife. This circular saw blade is typically a tool steel with a high carbon content. Custom knives made from high carbon steel are typically easier to maintain a very sharp edge.
Imagine creating with your own hands, a kitchen knife that is so sharp that you could cut the tomato slices “too” thin. All you need is your own labor, sweat, tears, and perhaps a little blood.
Making a fine homemade knife is a work of patience. It is both an art and a science. A good knife is a lot of hard work, dedication to precision craftsmanship, and requires a person to understand the science of metallurgy, and the art of blacksmithing and design.
So, why not stainless steel alloys? Stainless steel may be a good option! There are many stainless alloys with varying properties that will enhance a custom knife. The biggest reason that many custom knife makers are beginning to embrace a stainless alloy, is the age old problem of rust.
Stainless steel is designated as such if it has greater than 13% chromium. Having said that, the ASM Metals Handbook says that it only must be greater than 10%. This difference is probably a reference to “free” or available chromium.
Carbon and stainless steels are both acceptable if properly alloyed. The high carbon steels are typically the steels that are forged. They can be differentially tempered. This property gives the knife maker more options. He can better control the hardness of the cutting edge, and still have a tough knife with a springy back.
But… having said this, consider some of the more popular stainless alloys. The 440 series, particularly 440C, and the Japanese ATS-34 stainless alloy. Also, stainless alloys that have a high vanadium content are more wear resistant and hold an edge better, but are typically harder to work.
Knives, for an accomplished knife maker take anywhere from a few hours for a small utility knife to several months for other, fancier knives. They are an investment and can last a lifetime. Custom knives are often set apart by the exotic materials used.
Knives have always been around in one form or another. When you grip the handle of a great knife, the goal is to have that knife perform as an extension of your arm.
There has probably been at least as many knives made by individual knife makers, working alone, down through history, as have been made by all the factories now making knives.
Regular sharpening and cleaning of a knife will keep it looking great, working well and increase its life. Whether stainless, or high carbon, or something in between, making a custom knife can be an extremely satisfying endeavor.
Dennis N. Darger at Wet Jet Precision can be reached toll free (888) 707-5077 to discuss knife blade blanking costs for you or your company. Services are nationwide. View their work at http://www.my-waterjet-cutting-service.com and/or email Dennis at dennis@my-waterjet-cutting-service.com
Copyright 02-22-10. Article may be reprinted if it is reprinted in its entirety.
deeds of flesh – hammer forged blade
|
|
TITLEIST IRON SET FORGED TIGER “T” BLADE LIMITED ED. $5,800.00 |
|
|
TOURSTAGE JAPAN X-BLADE 901 FORGED #3-Pw NS PRO S-Flex $1,520.00 |
|
|
TOURSTAGE JAPAN X-BLADE 703 FORGED #5-Pw NS PRO S-Flex $1,200.00 |
|
|
TITLEIST 681 FORGED BLADES MB 3-PW SATIN DG S300 MINT $1,200.00 |
|
|
Hakusa X-Blade 3-PW Forged Irons (with IOMIC & KBS) $1,199.00 |
|
|
TOURSTAGE JAPAN X-BLADE 701G FORGED #5-Pw NS PRO S-Flex $1,080.00 |
|
|
TOURSTAGE JAPAN X-BLADE GR FORGED #5-Pw NS PRO S-Flex $1,020.00 |
|
|
TOURSTAGE JAPAN X-BLADE GR FORGED #5-Pw NS PRO R-Flex $1,020.00 |
|
|
TOURSTAGE JAPAN X-BLADE GR FORGED #5-Pw NS PRO S-Flex $1,020.00 |
|
|
TOURSTAGE JAPAN X-BLADE 901 FORGED 3-PW DG S200 MINT $999.00 |
|
|
Mizuno MP-68 Forged Irons SATIN Blades 3-PW KB TOUR 6.5 $950.00 |
|
|
PAUL CHEN 1204 TIGER KATANA FORGED/FOLDED BLADE-NIB! $854.99 |
|
|
CALLAWAY PROTOTYPE FORGED BLADES IRONS 3-PW TOUR ISSUE $799.99 |
|
|
Limited Edition Nike Tiger Woods Forged Blades $771.95 |
|
|
Nike Golf Victory Red Forged TW Blade – Steel $699.99 |
|
|
Antique GREEK Eared Knife &Sheath Forged blade yataghan $550.00 |
|
|
ANTIQUE Greek Eared knife &Sheath Forged Blade yataghan $550.00 |
|
|
New Nike VR Forged Tiger Woods Blade Irons MSRP$1000 $550.00 |
|
|
Mizuno Pro Super-11 rare forged in Japan blades 3-PW S $525.00 |
|
|
NEW NIKE VICTORY RED TW FORGED BLADE GOLF CLUBS 3-PW XS $499.99 |
|
|
NEW NIKE VICTORY RED TW FORGED BLADE GOLF CLUBS 3-PW S $499.99 |
|
|
Nike Victory Red Forged TW Blade Irons 3-PW DG S-300 $499.99 |
|
|
NEW NIKE VICTORY RED TW FORGED BLADE GOLF CLUBS 3-PW R $499.99 |
|
|
3-PW Nike Victory Red Forged TW Blade Irons S-300 Steel $479.10 |
|
|
CUSTOM SNAKE EYES 675B Blade Forged Irons $465.00 |
|
|
Nike VR TW Forged Blade Iron Set 3-PW Steel Extra Stiff $455.99 |
|
|
NIKE VR FORGED TW IRONS 3-PW GOLF CLUBS X STIFF BLADES $449.98 |
|
|
Viking Sword – Battle Ready -Forged Black Blade -Toledo $439.99 |
|
|
NIKE VR FORGED TW IRONS 3-PW GOLF CLUBS X STIFF BLADES $439.98 |
|
|
Nike VR Forged TW Blade Irons 3-PW w/ Dynamic Gold $429.99 |
|
|
NEW ’09 Nike VR Forged TW Blade Irons 3-PW RH S300 $429.99 |
|
|
NIKE VR TW FORGED BLADES 3-PW X100 NEW $400.00 |
|
|
’06 Hogan Apex Forged Blades irons set 3-PW MINT! S300 $400.00 |
|
|
NEW NIKE VR FORGED TW BLADE IRONS 3-PW DYNGOLD X100 XS $399.99 |
|
|
NEW NIKE VR FORGED TW BLADE IRONS 3-PW DYNGOLD S300 STF $399.99 |
|
|
NEW NIKE VR FORGED TW BLADE IRONS 3-PW DYNGOLD S300 STF $399.99 |
|
|
Nike Forged Combo Victory Red TW Blade & Cavity Irons $399.99 |
|
|
NEW NIKE VR FORGED TW BLADE IRONS 3-PW DYNGOLD S300 STF $399.00 |
|
|
Nike Forged Blades 1,3-PW Steel; Stiff flex $399.00 |
|
|
Hand Forged Folded Steel 8 Sides Blade Han Jian Sword $398.00 |
|
|
Nike RH Forged Blade Irons 3-PW Rifle 6.5 S-FLex $389.99 |
|
|
Walter Hagen Golf Custom Forged Japan Kick Ass Blades! $389.00 |
|
|
NIKE VICTORY RED TW FORGED BLADE IRON 4-PW & SW REGULAR $382.46 |
|
|
NIKE VICTORY RED TW FORGED BLADE IRONS 3-PW X-STIFF $382.46 |
|
|
NIKE VICTORY RED FORGED TW BLADES 4-PW 7pc. IRON SET $359.95 |
|
|
Bridgestone J36 Blade Forged Irons 3 – PW ProX 6.0 $350.00 |
|
|
LH KZG FORGED CAVITY BACK “BLADE LOOK AT ADDRESS” 3-PW $350.00 |
|
|
Hogan Apex Forged Blades 3-E Stiff #4 Shafts Super Nice $349.99 |
|
|
Hogan Apex 99 Forged Blades 3-E Stiff #4 Shafts Nice! $349.99 |
|
|
New Nike VR Victory Red Forged TW Blade 3-PW DG X100U $349.00 |
|
|
NEW CUSTOM MADE EXTRA EDITION FORGED BLADE IRON SET 3-S $320.00 |
|
|
NIKE VICTORY RED TW FORGED BLADE 3-PW IRONS STEEL STIFF $299.99 |
|
|
Ben Hogan Apex Vintage Forged blades irons 2-E $299.99 |
|
|
Yonex Tournament SP Forged Blades 3-PW TTDG S400 -PGA- $299.00 |
|
|
Hand Forged Grooved 8 sides Blade Chinese Jian Sword $298.00 |
|
|
Hand Forged Folded 8 Sides Blade Han Short Jian Sword $298.00 |
|
|
Nike Victory Red Forged TW Blade Iron set (3-PW) $289.99 |
|
|
Boker Stag Forged Fixed Blade $289.08 |
|
|
joshuablessing PROFESSIONAL FORGED BLADE IRON SET 3-S $280.00 |
|
|
Tour Spec Blades from Raven 3-PW Forged $280.00 |