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Thread: 440C stainless

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Mar 2006
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    Burpengary
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    3

    Default 440C stainless

    hey guys,

    Would anyone know where i could get 440c stainless steel from in QLD for knife making?


    Cheers

    Falz

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Jan 2004
    Location
    Mackay North Qld
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    6,446

    Default

    Hi and welcome to the forum.

    Do we know where to get 440C stainless in Qld.
    Yes we do !

    Try Google (search )440 c Stainless Queensland
    to get this eg.

    http://www.atlasmetals.com.au/Stainl...Datasheets.asp


    Then give a bit of a contribution back to the forum in writing about what your are doing and maybe some photos.

    So you are not going to be one of the fellas that we will never hear of again are you ?

    Contributions are what makes this forum.

    Have a nice day

    Cheers

    Grahame

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Mar 2006
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    Burpengary
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    Default

    Yeh. well once i get the materials i need and get underway, ill try and post pics and details of the process. Ive never really done knife or tool making before. The hardest and most critical part will no doubt hardening and tempering stage, Any process, tips or technique advice would be very much appreciated,

    Thanks

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Jan 2004
    Location
    Mackay North Qld
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    6,446

    Default heat treat 440C

    Falz,
    440C is not what most would choose for their first knife.
    Even the advanced cutlers usually send their 440C off to Hills the heat treatment people. If you were to do your self you would need temperature really closely monitored.

    Perhaps if you grab a bit of spring steel leaf spring from an older car, you will have plenty of cheap material to practice on.Most blade makers start in this way as the materials and hand tools are just basic.

    Also there are mobs of sites about knifemaking. The australian Knivemakes Club puts out a news paper mag at the news agents about 2 or 3 times a year.

    My advice would be to start a small knife knife first,not a bowie for obvious reasons.

    I gave away all my books and mags about two years ago ,but can remember a few real good starter books.Tim Mc Creight wrote a good one,butI can't remember the title.

    Do a search for Plough books and run knife making into their database.

    I think there are a couple of blademakers here.they will reply in due course.

    Cheers
    Grahame

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Apr 2007
    Location
    Wollongong
    Posts
    1

    Default

    I'm no expert on making knives, but I spent quite a few years at sea and the hardest thing to keep in stock in the engine room was blades for the mechanical metal saw. The HSS was well sought after by the seamen. Almost 1mm thick, 25mm in width and about 400mm long. Could make two good knives from one blade. The guys would then carve a handle. The clever ones would carve two halves and rivet them together with brass rivets. Looked and worked a treat.

    Cheers T53

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Jan 2004
    Location
    Mackay North Qld
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    6,446

    Default Good Blade material

    Guys,

    If you ever get the opportunity to get the broken pieces of a 250mm diam cold saw blade grab it.

    The blade can be sharpened up to a razors edge on the linisher.

    The handle can be a problem if you don't have access to a plasma or lazer.

    The stuff turns hss drills into crap.
    It is extremely brittle and snaps off at the handle when dropped on cement, at least mine did.

    Cane harvester base plates are good metal for blades I have made four kukri type blades from the stuff. It is a bit thick at 10mm though.


    Grahame

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Dec 2005
    Location
    South Australia
    Posts
    1,656

    Default

    falz, as sugested above 440c is not the material to start with it's expensive and when you stuff up your first few knives you will be discouraged, get hold of some tool steel it is much more forgiving and you can do the hardening yourself

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Jan 2004
    Location
    Mackay North Qld
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    Default Resource material

    Falz

    Heres a few resources that might be of value to you as a new knife maker.

    The first link is to Tim McCreights book which I recommend to any new knifemaker.
    Hunt around the libraries you might get it on inter library loan.When you do read it ,I betcha you will go and buy your own.It show 10 sample projects step by step with out to much expensive kit required.

    http://books.google.com.au/books?id=...CHUr9D2bHSl1ag

    The next one is to the Australian knife guild site, I have mixed feelings with this one as he is always trying to sell something.

    http://www.knivesaustralia.com.au/knifemaking.html

    This bloke is a pro knife maker
    http://www.gardnerknives.com/knifemaker.html

    This one pretty much a guru on blades when I was into it.

    http://www.knives.com/engnath_steps.html

    Also, if you really have too much money theres always
    Knives Illustrated and Blade magazine, each will not leave uch change out of twenty bucks at the news agents.
    Subscription is the way to go with them and you get the issues quicker as well

    I hope this is a help to you
    Grahame

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Apr 2007
    Location
    Burpengary
    Posts
    3

    Default

    I have been browsing this forum for a while but suddenly a few posts on knifemaking and I am logging in.

    Falz, as China and Grahame intimated you might be better off getting some tool steel for your first attempts. However I didn't and probably should have.

    Another idea could be getting some mild steel and make up a few mock ups (grinding/shaping easier with mild steel) of your blade. (I had problems with handle size. ) Them when it is right use some 440C.

    The benefit of 440c is when you have it finished to say 800 grit, you spear it off to Hills ($10 + post) and you have a knife. Using tool and spring steel you have to do your heat treating and you can stuff that up (I have a few times ).

    I note you are from Burpengary, so I am. Maybe we could catch up and talk about knifemaking.

    Stewart

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Dec 2005
    Location
    South Australia
    Posts
    1,656

    Default

    falz the single most important thing you ca do to further your intereast in knifemaking would be to take up the offer by Phantom23 there is no better way to learn than from someone who has been there and done that

  11. #11
    Join Date
    Jan 2005
    Location
    Geelong, Victoria
    Posts
    23

    Default

    hi guys i know this thread is old but i dont visit very often.
    falz, if you plan to make a few blades then you should buy the steel from the U.S. if you only plan one or two then you should get it here, there is a guy in WA that sells blade steels but theyre not cheap or if you only want a little bit i have some spare 440c that i would be happy to pass on at what it cost me.
    the other guys are right 440c requires more equiptment to harden then you will have but hills heat treat in melbourne only cost about $8 per blade and they do an awesome job.
    if your not sure how your first will come out you might want to try tool steel first which is cheaper but if you really put effort in theres no reason you cant make your first out of stainless.
    I have made quite a few knives and sold most of them , if you have any questions just shoot me an email.

    In post #8 graham mentions the knife guild dite but the address is actually for the australian knife collectors a totally seperate organisation. the knife guild doesnt sell anything. graham is definately right though contact the knife collectors and they are always trying to sell you something.

    brett

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