Cost of Steel, How Much?

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Shann

Joined
Sep 2, 2004
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How much does the cost of the steel affect the actual final price? For example, if you are making a knife out of something like 1095, or 440C, is the cost for the steel pretty low compared to if you were using D2 or something more exotic? I'm not actually talking about how difficult working the steel adds to the final cost, just the cost of the steel itself.

I'm asking more out of curiousity than anything important.

Thanks.
 
The steel is usually only a minor part of the price.While some of the exotic steels,like S90V,can cost a good amount,the final price is largely a function of the time and difficulty in manufacturing the knife.I would say the average cost of the steel ranges from $2.00 for simple steels to $30.00 for exotics.The point I'm making is that the finished prices for knives made from these steels can range from $40.00 to $4000.00,depending on the maker,the skill involved,and the degree of embellishment.This is why I always say there is no reason to use unknown steels,just because they are cheaper.Good materials make for better quality control.
Stacy
 
Shann said:
How much does the cost of the steel affect the actual final price? For example, if you are making a knife out of something like 1095, or 440C, is the cost for the steel pretty low compared to if you were using D2 or something more exotic? I'm not actually talking about how difficult working the steel adds to the final cost, just the cost of the steel itself.

I'm asking more out of curiousity than anything important.

Thanks.
Click to expand...

Most steel is pretty cheap, Just an example 3/16" x 1", 1095 1080 runs around $3.50 a foot ats34 440c 154cm runs around $9 a foot. Tool steels are more expensive but part of that cost is because very often they are precission ground.

I am always astounded when someone want's to shave costs by using mystery steel. You will see a post "I have a lawnmower blade" etc. etc. If you can't afford $5 or $6 bucks for a piece of anealed steel of a known alloy you are never going to get through finishing that knife. Everything gets more expensive from that point on.
 
Ilovetoolsteel said:
.... Everything gets more expensive from that point on.
Click to expand...

Ah, I see you have a penchant for understatement.... :D
 
Ilovetoolsteel said:
Most steel is pretty cheap, Just an example 3/16" x 1", 1095 1080 runs around $3.50 a foot ats34 440c 154cm runs around $9 a foot. Tool steels are more expensive but part of that cost is because very often they are precission ground.

I am always astounded when someone want's to shave costs by using mystery steel. You will see a post "I have a lawnmower blade" etc. etc. If you can't afford $5 or $6 bucks for a piece of anealed steel of a known alloy you are never going to get through finishing that knife. Everything gets more expensive from that point on.
Click to expand...

...and the choir exclaimed with a healthy helping of AMEN!!! :D

Craig
 
I actually have this worked out....;)

I'll have to dig deep to find where I stashed it...but I've got it broken down by the pound.


Basically, (off the top of my head) the basic carbon steels run around $2-$5 per pound. I can get JD 5160 for around $7 per pound and 52100 for $8 per pound. 440C is around $9 per pound (~$13 precision ground). O-1 is around $10-11 per pound. D2 comes in at $13-15 per pound. S30V is around $28-34 per pound.

Damascus starts around $65 per pound up to $200+ per pound.

(these prices are all for flat stock .)


So, yes, the price of steel can make a significant difference in the knife. But new 1095 steel is cheap and easy to get and there really is no excuse (as mentioned above) to be recycling old lawnmower blades "to save money". If somebody wants to do it "cuz it's cool"...that's fine with me. But saving $$$ is not the reason.

That said...my wallet hates me right now....:(....big bucket full of steel sitting next to my bench. Probably enough for a hundred knives or so...just gotta get-'er-done....
 
Thanks guys. That's interesting. Since I've never bought steel, I had no idea what the general price range was.:)
 
call some industrial suppliers near you. They may carry tool steels. I found a place near me that had 3/16" x 6" and 5" wide....18" long for $22.50 each. I bought all that they had......thats 1/2 off the web price.

Most people will say....do we carry what?? but you might get lucky :)
 
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