410, 420 steel prices.

[jmforge]

So why do these these steels so expensive? I found 2 sources, Alro and McMaster Carr that has 420 bars for hundreds of dollars of like 1/4 inch x 2 inch flats 12-24 inches long. Like over $100 a pound!!! 410 was not quite so bad, but Jantz had stuff for lalmost $20 a pound!!!!!

 

[Sean Jones]

So why do these these steels so expensive? I found 2 sources, Alro and McMaster Carr that has 420 bars for hundreds of dollars of like 1/4 inch x 2 inch flats 12-24 inches long. Like over $100 a pound!!! 410 was not quite so bad, but Jantz had stuff for lalmost $20 a pound!!!!!

I don't know what size you are looking for but Admiral Steel has both 410 and 416 for what look to be fairly reasonable prices. 416 3/16" X 2" X 36" is about $61.00

 

[mike miller]

Check Specialty Metals LLC
800-365-1168

 

[jmforge]

I don't know what size you are looking for but Admiral Steel has both 410 and 416 for what look to be fairly reasonable prices. 416 3/16" X 2" X 36" is about $61.00

So is $16 a pound what passes for reasonable these days? That what that adds up to and it is like 25% more than stainless blade steel. So much for the old adage about steel being a very small percentage of your costs.

 

[Sean Jones]

So is $16 a pound what passes for reasonable these days? That what that adds up to and it is like 25% more than stainless blade steel. So much for the old adage about steel being a very small percentage of your costs.

I suppose it depends on what you are using it for. I only use 416 for bolsters. So a piece 36" long would last me a long time.

 

[tkroenlein]

Some materials in some shapes have been non existent and/or stupidly priced. It's hit and miss but there is some more "common" stuff that has been vapor ware. We waited 6 months for an overhead door spring that's nothing special. But nobody was rolling it due to either material supply or product demand.

 

[52 Ford]

Unless you can guarantee a supply of whatever material you need, you're probably better off making knives based on what materials you can get in stock.

 

[jmforge]

I suppose it depends on what you are using it for. I only use 416 for bolsters. So a piece 36" long would last me a long time.

I use it for guards, buttcaps, etc. Even after cleaning out my shop, I still have a couple of 36 x 2 x 1/4 bars of 416. I was looking at 410 or 420 for san mai cladding.

 

[jmforge]

Unless you can guarantee a supply of whatever material you need, you're probably better off making knives based on what materials you can get in stock.

I have enough W2, CFV, 1084, 1075, 5160, O1, L6, etc in stock to make like 700+ knives. What is giving my sticker shock is the peripheral stuff like 15N20 and non-blade steels for fittings, cladding etc.

 

[KenH]

I use it for guards, buttcaps, etc. Even after cleaning out my shop, I still have a couple of 36 x 2 x 1/4 bars of 416. I was looking at 410 or 420 for san mai cladding.

I ordered some 410SS from Admiral for San Mai cladding. They also have 416 SS in 3/8" bars. Didn't say it was cheap Heck, AEB-L can be less expensive that 410SS it seems. AEB-L is a bit more tricky to get successful welds for me anyway.

 

[jmforge]

I ordered some 410SS from Admiral for San Mai cladding. They also have 416 SS in 3/8" bars. Didn't say it was cheap Heck, AEB-L can be less expensive that 410SS it seems. AEB-L is a bit more tricky to get successful welds for me anyway.

Yes. it can be less expensive. Do you weld up your 410 san mai billet edges?

 

[KenH]

Yes, for sure I weld completely all around the billet edge to seal completely. I have done a few Go Mai (copper between the layers) without welding by wrapping in SS foil since the "welding" temperature is only 1850°F. I do the Go Mai in the oven rather than forge for better temperature control.