Recommendation? Steel supplier in Seattle area

[raighan]

I wasn't able to find any recent threads on local suppliers. I am just getting started, and would prefer to buy local rather than having some shipped. Looking for a2, and 1095 in the Seattle area. Thanks for any info.

 

[Pinoy Knife]

nothing there as far as local

 

[12345678910]

You have a Fastenal

Fastenal location in Seattle, WA USA 98108 - WASE3

www.fastenal.com

Starrett Precision Ground
O1
D2
A2

497-AISI A-2

497-AISI A-2

www.starrett.com

Fastenal Industrial Supplies, OEM Fasteners, Safety Products & More

Fastenal is the largest fastener distributor in North America. Shop our huge selection of OEM, MRO, construction, industrial, and safety products.

www.fastenal.com

The precision ground is nice to use, soft easy to file, consistent thickness.

It's expensive

If you're paying for shipping, look at
Alpha Knife Supply
https://newjerseysteelbaron.com/

 

[DeadboxHero]

I wasn't able to find any recent threads on local suppliers. I am just getting started, and would prefer to buy local rather than having some shipped. Looking for a2, and 1095 in the Seattle area. Thanks for any info.

Is there a good reason why?

You are going to pay a lot more for less and there is more risk of low quality steel since the sourcing isn't focused and vetted for knives specifically.


You're just getting started so I don't think you're really weighing the options here.


Knife steel suppliers have a constant flow of knife makers making knives with their steels and so they get constant feedback on the quality of the product. Which helps them know what they need for sourcing quality product etc.

Meaning, knife steel suppliers work hard to source quality steel for knives which means less headache with heat treatment, finishing and overall quality.

For example, just because it says 1095 doesn't mean its universally the same quality.



I'm not saying there's concerns with precision ground A2 but when you're sourcing 1095 it can be all over the place in quality.


Usually you can only buy precision ground steel locally. However, it just doesn't make any sense to pay that much more money for precision ground steel for knives especially since when you're just getting started and you're going to ruin a lot of things learning which is part of the plan.

Making mistakes is part of the learning process, and if you have enough steel that it flows like water you won't be as skiddish to get out into the shop and learn.

Think of yourself as a potter and your steel is your clay, and if you don't have enough clay, you're not going to be as motivated to work with it, and if you ruin it, it's just clay, who cares.

It's what you make with the clay that's valuable not the clay itself. So why risk your work/reputation with clay that may have problems and cost more, especially since it's not the clay that's valuable it's the work that you put into it.

My recommendation, go to a knife steel supplier website and buy cheap and stack deep.

 

[raighan]

Thanks for the info, and feedback.

 

[A.McPherson]

Alpha knife supply used to be up there, but they moved a couple years back.
Still one of the best suppliers out there though...
Still have a 425 phone # too! L!

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

I always tell new makers that every place in the country has a local supplier. It is as close as your front porch.
Nowadays shipping is not exorbitant, and it is fast. Buy from a company that is a knife steel supplier and you will be happier. Alpha, USA Knifemakers, Texas, Jantz, K&G, etc.
Heck, you can buy it on Amazon with free shipping. For example, a 12X12" sheet of 1095 is less than $50 with free shipping and one day delivery. That will make 8 to 12 knives.