Stainless Steel Knifemaker . . . To Rust or Not to Rust, That is the Question!

Stainless steel blades are typically  perceived as a compromise by a number of knife making or bladesmith enthusiasts. Knife making is a pastime that might be experienced by old and young. Developing a selfmade knife can be an uplifting and pleasant undertaking. A homemade knife might be easily produced from an old hand saw, or an aged circular saw blade. The tempered steel will create a fine old-fashioned knife. This circular saw blade is generally a tool steel using a substantial carbon content. Custom KNIVES created from large carbon steel are usually less difficult to maintain a really sharp edge.

Think of producing with your own hands, a kitchen knife that is so sharp you can cut the tomato slices “too” thin. All you need is your personal labor, work, tears, and possibly a little blood.

Producing a fine homemade knife is often a function of patience. It is both an art and a science. An excellent knife is really a lot of tough work, commitment . to precision workmanship, and requires a person to understand the science of metallurgy, as well as the art of blacksmithing and design.

So, why not stainless steel alloys? Stainless steel may perhaps be a good alternative! There are a great deal of stainless alloys with varying properties that will complement a custom knife. The key reason that quite a few customized knife makers are starting to embrace a stainless alloy, is the time tested problem of corrosion.

Stainless steel is designated as such if it has more significant than 13% chromium. Having mentioned that, the ASM Metals Handbook says that it only need to be greater than 10%. This difference is almost certainly a reference to “free” or available chromium.

Carbon and stainless steels are both acceptable if correctly alloyed. The higher carbon steels are normally the steels that are forged. They may well be differentially tempered. This property gives the knife maker more choices. He can better control the hardness of the cutting edge, and still have a tough knife with a springy back.

But… having mentioned this, think about some of the a lot more well-known stainless alloys. The 440 series, particularly 440C, along with the Japanese ATS-34 stainless alloy. Also, stainless alloys that have a substantial vanadium content are much more wear resistant and keep an edge far better, but are usually more hard to work.

Knives, for an accomplished knife maker take anywhere from a few hours for a little utility knife to many months for other, fancier knives. They are an investment that can last a lifetime. Made to order knives are typically set apart by the exotic materials utilized.

Knives have typically been around in one style or another. Whenever you grip the handle of a wonderful knife, the objective is to have that knife perform as an extension of one’s arm.

There has likely been at the least as many knives created by individual knife makers, operating alone, down through history, as have been created by the whole set of factories now producing knives.

Normal sharpening and maintanence of a knife will keep it looking good, working well and boost its life. Whether stainless, or high carbon, or some thing in between, making a custom made knife can be an extremely pleasing enterprise

Contact:  http://www.my-waterjet-cutting-service.com for waterjet cut customized knife blade blanks.

About the Author

Dennis N. Darger at Wet Jet Precision can be reached toll free (888) 707-5077 to discuss cutting your custom knife blades blanks.  Remember waterjet cutting is a cold cutting method and does not produce a Heat Affected Zone. Services are nationwide. View their work at http://www.my-waterjet-cutting-service.com/build_your_own_fuel_cell.html 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.

Dennis N. Darger at Wet Jet Precision can be reached toll free (888) 707-5077 to discuss cutting your custom knife blades blanks.  Remember waterjet cutting is a cold cutting method and does not produce a Heat Affected Zone. Services are nationwide. View their work at http://www.my-waterjet-cutting-service.com/build_your_own_fuel_cell.html 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.

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