I’m new to blade forums. As a beginner in knife making I really appreciate the way more experienced makers help teach. I am looking for some recommendations for places to order steel bar stock. I know there are places like Jantz Supply but it seems like they are a bit on the high side for pricing. That might still be my best bet but it doesn’t hurt to check with you guys who have been in this game longer than me. I prefer 1080 and 1095 for the knives I make due to how they are used. That’s particular steels I would be buying. I would love any suggestions for sources if you have any to pass on.
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Good sources for buying steel bar stock?
- Thread starter Tekneck73
- Start date
Busto
Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
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Check
Alpha Knife Supply
, they have a great selection, fast shipping, Heat Treating Info on their page is easy to access, and All Around Good People to deal with.
Alpha Knife Supply
, they have a great selection, fast shipping, Heat Treating Info on their page is easy to access, and All Around Good People to deal with.
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Alpha is a great place to buy stock from.Check
My question to you is... Are you forging or Stock cutting?
If your a stock removal guy then Alpha is good, if your forging I say you should Check out NJSB
https://newjerseysteelbaron.com/
Bühlmann
North Lake Forge
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Purely out of newby curiosity, why do you distinguish between sources for forging and stock removal?
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Kelly Cupples is the man for those steels, and his prices are unbeatable. It's best just to email him. Here's a link to his info.
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I like to buy steel in bigger quantities to save myself on shipping plus I'm going to use it. NJSB just happens to sell the stock sizes that I like to use and most stuff they usually have it available in 4ft bars that I like. Alpha sells thicker stock too but I think NJSB is the way to go for thicker/bigger stock for stuff like forging. Just my opinion.
This is a great recommendation, brother. I sincerely appreciate it.
I’m stock cutting. I prefer 3/16” bar stock because of I mess up my polling grinds ( while I’m learning) I have enough material left on the blade to fix it by thinning it out. NJSB is who James Gibson mentioned to me when I met him recently but I couldn’t remember the name of the company. Thank you for your help!
Auto correct…. Plunge grinds
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Have you considered using a file guide before? Plunge lines are hard to master
! I made a file guide to keep them even and straight and since then I haven't looked back! Yes, I can free hand them and probably could get good at doing so but I'm too far into using it now 
.J Lensmire
Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
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Another option would be Admiral Steel. I've found them to be very competitive in price and shipping/handling fees.
On Kelly, he's a GREAT source, but do note the price list on the linked page is from 2014. I expect the prices have increased a tad since then?
Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith
ilmarinen - MODERATOR
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In answer to forging vs stock removal:
Some steels come ready to grind and HT. These are already processed to have the proper internal structure to harden. That is why many people like Alpha and USA Knifemakers.
New Jersey Steel Baron and some others carry steel that has been heavily spherodized. This makes it very machinable and forgeable. The forging process will change the spheroid structure. After forging the blade will be normalized and become ready to HT.
If you just grind a blade from the stock without forging or thermal cycling, the blade will not harden properly.
Some steels come ready to grind and HT. These are already processed to have the proper internal structure to harden. That is why many people like Alpha and USA Knifemakers.
New Jersey Steel Baron and some others carry steel that has been heavily spherodized. This makes it very machinable and forgeable. The forging process will change the spheroid structure. After forging the blade will be normalized and become ready to HT.
If you just grind a blade from the stock without forging or thermal cycling, the blade will not harden properly.
I've been buying Mr Volcano stuff through Amazon, which I won't do anymore. Every time, the bars were packed by someone who didn't understand that they need to be properly restrained. When going through shipping, the bars punched right through padded envelopes and cardboard boxes.