Thread: Steel sources

Thanks guys, some good places to look. As you might have guessed i'm trying to easy and cheap! Cheap is becoming my middle name! Anyways thanks again.

I just saw a thread about a file razor that was well amazing looking!

http://straightrazorpalace.com/custo...ml#post1040155

The "bastard" is an incredible example of what you can do with a file. I'd suggest you use an American made file - Nickolson, etc., if you decide to go that route. I buy precision ground O1 in 1/4 x 1 x 18 from Janz Knifemaker Supply for around $14 plus standard shipping - $9.50. I get 6 blanks out of that - 3ea 6x1, cut 3/8ths half way down from each end, with a 1/4 hole to join the two cuts. Now I have a 3/8 x 3 tail, and a 5/8 x 3 blade. Forge out the tail to shape, and forge taper the blade to 1 inch or so, and you're ready to rough grind. Have fun, and let us know how you come out.

If you're going with files, there is no real need for American.
Altough I guess that in the US these are easier to get than german or english files.
All that matters is that they are old enough to be made from tool quality monosteel.

Just no chinese, mexico (nicholson) or indian files. Any old english, swiss, austrian, american, .... all of those would be fine. They are all over the place here at flea markets for $1 per, and nobody buys them because the teeth are completely dulled or rusted.