7 replies to this topic

[Ozgand]

I have recentlly tried my hand at smithing. I find it very enjoyable and usefull. If I were to buy supplies and stock (Bars and sheet), where would be a safe bet to start? ie. relyable quality, a wide veriety of metals and good service.

[Euar]

Ozgand, any answers aren'tgoing to suit ya, no location given. Most steel shops sell good grades, theres no "walmart" for smithing and metalworking. I would suggest looking for metal supplies local maybe welding shops.

[Zolsta]

From the research I've done, best would be to find a place local, as shipping adds up quickly. However, here are the ones online I've bookmarked, though I'm not sure how they are yet, as I've not gotten to that stage of blacksmithing myself yet.

https://www.metalsup...der.aspx?map=US
http://www.mcmaster.com/#
http://www.onlinemetals.com/index.cfm

Like I said, I've got them bookmarked, but haven't dealt with them at all. You can usually find a place or two relatively near by, which would probably be cheaper, and you can build a working relationship with them.

[Tactical]

Depending on what you're looking for, go talk to the smaller fabrication shops. I've walked out before with a bicycle trailer half full of scrap with just a promise to email pictures of what I make with it. And the scrapyards are a boon.

There's no need to go out and buy metal unless something specific is being asked for. If you're banging out a knife then fully anneal a leaf spring, hack off a length and beat it out. properly heat treated and annealed 5160 (what most leaf springs were made out of) makes a pretty sturdy blade that'll take one hell of a sharp edge and put up with quite a lot of smacking around. The biggest complaint I've heard against using 'scrap' metal for knives or metal work is that it'll rust. Again it's all about the application. You wouldn't use aluminum rings to make a chain that's going to be holding up a chandelier...

By far one of the coolest knives I've made was from a 1" steel cable I snagged from the trash bin near a construction site.

[PlutoniumX]

I'd love to see some pictures of the knives you've made, Tactical. That's one of the things on my "to do" list.

[losthelm]

There are a few good black smithing forums, Anvilfire.com will go a long way.
Look for local smiths and network for tools, materials, and other resources.

Abanna is usualy good for finding a local chapter.
If your intrested in making knives start at the library, knowing material properties will let you make a knife that can work not just a knife shaped piece of steel.

[losthelm]

Murray carter, Jim Hrisoulal, and Wayne Goddard are all very good authors on makeing blades.
You should be able to find three or so through inter library loan.

[destroy804]

Ok the comment about there is no Walmart for Smithing... What about junkyards thats always been my Walmart when it came to Smithing. Just have to know where to look.