VG-10 Steel Blanks

[DutchBlades]

I was wondering if there is any way to get a hold of blanks of VG-10 or any similar material like ATS-55.
Maybe just a scrap piece that'll be big enough for 1 blade (Endura sized).

I've been on the lookout for a blank piece of steel since I started working on a prototype.
A prototype does exist, but it's a wooden one.
I'd love to make one out of good blade steel and work on the handles to make it into the final product.
(And hopefully be eligible for a second opinion :rolleyes: )
I need this knife real bad and I don't have the tools needed to just grind down a file and use that as a blank.

Can one buy something like this from Spyderco?
All I keep finding is Damascus blanks, pieces that are too small (meant for keys) and untempered
or just insanely overpriced ones...

[The Deacon]

Doubt Spyderco could help you with Japanese steels, if for no other reason than that all the VG-10 and ATS-55 models have been built in Japan, so there wouldn't be any reason to have blanks in Golden. Only way I can see blanks being available would be if there are Japanese equivalents to companies like Texas Knifemaker's Supply that sell them. They might be able to help you with one of the steels they're currently using on US made models, but not sure if that's a can of worms they'd want to open. An alternative, if you just want a quality steel, might be a blank in a European steel from a more local source. Heck you could even go for Damasteel, there has to be a source for that in Europe. :D

[DutchBlades]

Doubt Spyderco could help you with Japanese steels, if for no other reason than that all the VG-10 and ATS-55 models have been built in Japan, so there wouldn't be any reason to have blanks in Golden. Only way I can see blanks being available would be if there are Japanese equivalents to companies like Texas Knifemaker's Supply that sell them. They might be able to help you with one of the steels they're currently using on US made models, but not sure if that's a can of worms they'd want to open. An alternative, if you just want a quality steel, might be a blank in a European steel from a more local source. Heck you could even go for Damasteel, there has to be a source for that in Europe. :D

Damast steel is an option, I keep a close eye on any blanks popping up on eBay.
By this point 440c would do, but I just can't seem to find it...
And if I do, they're asking $100+ for a blank of medium to low quality steel.
And I would prefer a regular steel instead of folded, would look better on this particular model IMO.

VG-10 or anything out of Seki or Taichung will be unlikely indeed.
And I don't think they'll have somewhat large pieces of S30V scrap just laying around :p
Ah well, I'll keep my hope high for finding a blank on eBay for a decent price

[Phil Wilson]

Hi Dutch, are you looking for a "blank" shaped like a knife blade or just a bar of steel to shape yourself. If a bar take a look at Alpha Knife supplies. Chuck has a large variety of steels in small quanities, mostly bars. The Bohler-Uddeholm N690 grade is basically the same as VG10. Phil

[DutchBlades]

Hi Dutch, are you looking for a "blank" shaped like a knife blade or just a bar of steel to shape yourself. If a bar take a look at Alpha Knife supplies. Chuck has a large variety of steels in small quanities, mostly bars. The Bohler-Uddeholm N690 grade is basically the same as VG10. Phil

I'll take a look right now
Thanks!

[The Deacon]

If all else fails, Texas Knifemakers does have 440C and ATS-34 blanks for under $20. They do ship to Europe, although I have no idea of the cost. Something tells me though, with the number of custom and hobbyist knifemakers in Europe there must be sources there, if not for US and Japanese steels, at least for Sandvik, Bohler, and other European ones.

[DutchBlades]

If all else fails, Texas Knifemakers does have 440C and ATS-34 blanks for under $20. They do ship to Europe, although I have no idea of the cost. Something tells me though, with the number of custom and hobbyist knifemakers in Europe there must be sources there, if not for US and Japanese steels, at least for Sandvik, Bohler, and other European ones.

Alphaknifesupply has a minimum order amount and high-ish shipping, and Texas Knifemakers have a $43.75 shipping bill :eek:
I'll have to take another look if there's anything I perhaps missed in Europe...

[Cliff Stamp]

Ask a local knifemaker, what you are asking for is almost the size of scrap.

[DutchBlades]

Ask a local knifemaker, what you are asking for is almost the size of scrap.

Yup... All I need is a 40x3x220 piece of steel (in mm's).

[MarcusH]

You can contact the German knifemaker Jürgen Schanz.
He has lots of steel blanks in stock, even laminated VG-10 in 3mm x 40mm, length as you like it centimeter wise.
http://www.schanz-shop.de/?go=artikel&ps=5&subid=6447
Less expensive is the 1.4528 which is equivalent to N690Co or VG-10, middle of the page:
http://www.schanz-shop.de/?go=artikel&ps=5&subid=20
A piece of this in 3x40x220 (mm) will cost you roughly 12 Euros plus delivery to the Netherlands.

[DutchBlades]

You can contact the German knifemaker Jürgen Schanz.
He has lots of steel blanks in stock, even laminated VG-10 in 3mm x 40mm, length as you like it centimeter wise.
http://www.schanz-shop.de/?go=artikel&ps=5&subid=6447
Less expensive is the 1.4528 which is equivalent to N690Co or VG-10, middle of the page:
http://www.schanz-shop.de/?go=artikel&ps=5&subid=20
A piece of this in 3x40x220 (mm) will cost you roughly 12 Euros plus delivery to the Netherlands.

Nice! :D
Thanks :) I think I'll be ordering this!

Will be a hellish job, making a blade out of it with files and sanding paper alone...
But it'll be well worth it!

[Johnnie1801]

€4-http://www.coutellerie-tourangelle.com/ ... 17452.html

[Mallus]

Since you're in Europe, why not have a look at Brisa (http://www.brisa.fi" target="_blank) or Teräsrenki (http://www.terasrenki.com" target="_blank)? Both have both steel and blanks available and the costs are not that high.

[DutchBlades]

Since you're in Europe, why not have a look at Brisa (http://www.brisa.fi" target="_blank) or Teräsrenki (http://www.terasrenki.com" target="_blank)? Both have both steel and blanks available and the costs are not that high.

Those are pretty nice aswell...
Don't know for sure where I'll buy steel,
and more importantly, how I'm gonna shape a blade out of it without the propper tools...

[zhyla]

154CM would do, right? I buy my blade steel from this guy:

http://newjerseysteelbaron.com/shop/pro ... ery-steel/" target="_blank

Harbor Freight 1x30 belt sander is a good place to start. And find a place to heat treat it.

[Donut]

I thought Bohler was a European company. Maybe a local source could get it to you for cheaper.

*edit* Nevermind, people got you some good info on those lines.

[sal]

Hi DutchBlades,

Glad you found some resources, thanx to the knowledgable visitors here.

As mentioned, it would really be out of sorts for us. "Scrap" is usually in the form of a laser web. Not enough to bluld a blade. We don't work with individual bars. That's custom knifemaker stuff. Also, any of our "blanks" would be specific models with holes, etc. wich complicates trademark issues.

sal

[DutchBlades]

Hi DutchBlades,

Glad you found some resources, thanx to the knowledgable visitors here.

As mentioned, it would really be out of sorts for us. "Scrap" is usually in the form of a laser web. Not enough to bluld a blade. We don't work with individual bars. That's custom knifemaker stuff. Also, any of our "blanks" would be specific models with holes, etc. wich complicates trademark issues.

sal

Ah, that's too bad.
It could be expected for there not to be any significant scraps,
a business strives for material efficiency.
Thanks for looking into this though! :)

You know what the blade is (hopefully) going to look like.
A tad bit more redifined than the pictures I sent.
I was really hoping it might become a production model in the future,
everyone that saw it, loves it.
But it's ALLOT to ask and I understand that.
Especially with new prototypes and the daily business going on aswell.

Nevertheless, if I can whip one up and it comes out the way I want to, I'll try again :p
It won't be easy without any tools besides some files and sandpaper, but I'm gonna try!

[PayneTrain]

Definitely go for it! It's a lot of work, but it's a really fun learning experience. I've been playing with some steel in my limited down time and one of the first things I learned is that I love power tools.:D

[DutchBlades]

Definitely go for it! It's a lot of work, but it's a really fun learning experience. I've been playing with some steel in my limited down time and one of the first things I learned is that I love power tools.:D

So do I, but my wallet doesn't :p
I'll have to make do with what I have over here.
Hope it turns out great :D