T-301 half hard stainless

[maxus]

I'm new to the website. Just recently got into knifemaking. A friend of mine works at a steel shop and is able to get me plenty of t-301 half hard stainless steel. Are there any recommendations on using this for making knives? If the steel is half hard can I just work the metal and not heat treat it? What will be the properties of the knife if I just shape, grind and finish without and special heat treating? Any recommendations?

 

[JasonSCarter]

It's too soft for blades. it would be like making it out of welding steel you buy at a lowes or home depot. The 3 series Stainless is an austenitic type steel, meanin it is a soft stainless. you want the 4 series, which is a martensitic stainless, or hardenable type stainless, specifically 420HC, 440A,B, or C, to make a servicable knife out of. also there is no simple heat and quench heat treat for stainless, so you'll want to send out your knife shaped object for heat treating. read the newbie stickie at the top re read it, lots of great info there. Pick a decent carbon steel like 1084 to make a knife out of first.

Jason

 

[Mark Redmon]

What Jason said... I haven't used 301, but I do use 304SS for guards, bolsters, etc. You could cut a piece down and see how it works and finishes. If it comes out nice, it might be a good source for your hardware. There's really no steel you can work with to make a decent blade that won't require proper heat treat and temper. The exception to this may be using files (which I haven't done). There have been some interesting posts here over the past few weeks on the subject. Also, be sure to read the stickies at the top of this forum.

-Mark

 

[mete]

301 work hardens faster than the other 300 series steels . Full Hard 301 is used for making springs. Half Hard 301 has a hardness of about 32 HRc. None of the 301 treatments is hard enough for blades.